Frequently Asked Electrical Questions

Q. What do numbers on electrical cable mean?

A. The numbers on an electrical cable tell you what types of wire are in the cable. For example, “14-2″ means the cable has two 14-gauge wires inside. “12-3 G” means the cable has three 12-gauge wires plus a bare ground wire.

Q. My doorbell does not work. What should I do?

A. Check to see if there are any loose or disconnected wires going to the doorbell. If the wires are connected properly, remove the doorbell and test the button by touching the two wires together. If this works, you have a bad button. This can be easily replaced. If not, call ElectriCall, LLC. (720) 879-2253

Q. My fluorescent fixture keeps humming.

A. Usually the ballast needs to be replaced if the fluorescent bulb is humming or flickering.

Q. Do you help with diagnosing home electrical problems?

A. ElectriCall does help with diagnosing electrical problems. It’s part of our Electrical Troubleshooting service, see here. We will help diagnose and look for signs of electrical problems in your home.

Q. I have a tool that has three prongs, but an outlet that has only two prongs. Can I cut the extra prong off my tool?

A. No! The third prong is the grounding prong. If you cut it off or use a plug adapter that isn’t grounded, you will disable a feature that protects against electrical shock. Always match the number of prongs to the right outlet.

Q. Why is my smoke detector chirping?

A. This means your smoke detector is either defective or your battery is low. Replace the battery. If the chirping persists, replace the smoke detector or call Electricall.

Q. Can I plug my Christmas lights into the 110-volt outlet outside my house?

A. Yes, but don’t overload it. You may trip the breaker if you have too many lights plugged into a 110-volt outlet. If this happens, you will need to add more circuits or remove some of the lights.

Q. Can I hang a ceiling fan where there was a light?

A. Yes, but first make sure the electrical box is properly braced and rated for the weight and torque of the ceiling fan you’re installing.

Q. What should I do if my lights or switches are not working?

A. First check to see if the outlet is on a switch. If you have GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets, check and reset them if necessary. Check your circuit breaker and reset if necessary. Check light bulbs and replace faulty ones. If none of these are the problem, call ElectriCall, LLC. (720) 879-2253

Q. Do I have electrical problems – flickering lights!
The lights in my house flicker. What causes that?

A. Central air conditioning and heat pump condensers usually cause a noticeable slight dimming on start up. Lights may flicker or dim due to start-up of some appliances or motor-driven equipment.