Top Emergency Electricians in Midland, TX, 79701 | Compare & Call
R L Roberts Electrical Contractors
The Bosworth Company
Common Questions
My Grassland Estates home was built in 1986. Why do the lights dim when my fridge and air conditioner run at the same time?
Your home's electrical system is now 40 years old, and the original NM-B Romex wiring was sized for 1980s appliance loads. Modern refrigerators, HVAC systems, and entertainment centers draw significantly more current simultaneously. This can cause voltage drop on shared circuits, which manifests as dimming lights. An assessment of your 150A service panel's circuit layout is often the first step to redistribute these high-demand loads safely.
How should I prepare my Midland home's electrical system for summer brownouts and winter ice storms?
For summer peaks, ensure your AC condenser's dedicated circuit is in good health and consider an HVAC tune-up to reduce electrical strain. A licensed transfer switch for a portable generator is key for winter outages, allowing safe backfeed without endangering utility workers. Both scenarios underscore the need for robust whole-house surge protection, as grid fluctuations during brownouts and restoration after storms can damage appliances.
My smart TVs and computers in Midland keep getting fried after thunderstorms. Is this an Oncor grid issue?
Oncor manages the distribution, but the high desert plains around Midland experience frequent, intense lightning strikes. This creates massive grid surges that standard power strips cannot stop. To protect modern electronics, a whole-house surge protector installed at your main service panel is essential. It acts as a first line of defense, clamping down on voltage spikes before they enter your home's wiring.
I smell burning from an outlet and lost power in my Grassland Estates house. How fast can an electrician get here?
For a burning smell, we treat it as an immediate safety hazard. A crew dispatched from near the Midland County Horseshoe Arena can typically reach Grassland Estates via the TX-250 Loop in 12 to 15 minutes. Our priority is to secure your panel, identify the overheated circuit, and prevent a potential fire before restoring power safely.
What permits and codes are involved if I upgrade my electrical panel in Midland, TX?
All panel replacements or service upgrades in Midland require a permit from the City of Midland Building Inspections Division and must be performed by an electrician licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The work will be inspected to ensure compliance with the NEC 2020, which includes requirements for AFCI and GFCI protection. We handle the entire permit process, ensuring the installation is legal, safe, and properly documented for any future home sale.
Does the rocky, high desert soil near the Horseshoe Arena affect my home's electrical grounding?
Yes, the dry, rocky soil common in our area has high electrical resistance, which can compromise the effectiveness of standard grounding rods. The National Electrical Code requires a grounding electrode system to have a resistance of 25 ohms or less. We often need to install additional rods or use specialized grounding methods to achieve a low-resistance path to earth, which is critical for safety and proper surge protection.
I see the overhead service line to my house has damaged insulation. Who is responsible for fixing it, and what's the risk?
The utility (Oncor) owns and maintains the overhead service drop from the pole to your weatherhead. You own the mast and the wiring from the weatherhead down to your meter and panel. Damaged insulation on their lines is their responsibility to repair, and you should report it immediately. However, any damage to your mast or the conduit on your home requires a licensed electrician to address, as it protects the conductors entering your service panel.
I have a Federal Pacific panel and want to add a Level 2 EV charger. Is my 1986-era 150A service safe for this upgrade?
A Federal Pacific panel presents a known fire risk due to faulty breakers that may not trip during an overload. Installing a new 240V, 40-50A circuit for an EV charger on this panel is not safe. We must first replace the hazardous panel. Then, we can perform a load calculation on your 150A service to see if it can support the charger and your existing loads, like a heat pump, or if a service upgrade is necessary.