1.)  Please don’t use the area in front of your service panel for storage. Your panel needs to be accessible for servicing with a 3′ working clearance in front of the panel by 30″ in width.

2.)  Keep electrical floor outlets as well as wall outlets clean from all debris this will ensure a proper connection when plugging in a cord.

3.)  Once a year set all the circuit breakers to the off position. When complete, re-set all the breakers to the on position. This procedure ensures proper functioning of the circuit breakers. If you happen to have any GFCI circuit breakers, the above procedure should be done monthly using the test button on the breaker.

4.)  If a loss of power is noticed in a certain area of your home, go to your circuit breaker panel. Look on your panel circuit breaker directory for a room name that coincides with a room that lost power. Try to reset that breaker by setting it first to the fully off position and then setting it to the fully on position. If the breaker fails to reset, go unplug any appliances on that circuit and try to reset the breaker again. If the breaker still fails to reset, DO NOT use any of the outlets on that circuit and call James Electrical Contractors.

5.)  Whirlpool tubs; whirlpools are also required to be GFCI protected. Please use the GFCI testing steps below. The GFCI device for your whirlpool is located either inside your access panel for your whirlpool, in the master bedroom closet, or somewhere in the master bathroom.

6.)  Dishwasher disconnect; Your dishwasher is required by code to have a disconnect switch. This switch is usually located in the same area as the dishwasher right above the counter on the wall. If your dishwasher is not working, please check this switch first and make sure it is on. If the switch is on and the dishwasher still isn’t working, check the circuit breaker.

1.)  All bathroom outlets are on one separate 20 AMP circuit GFCI device, this device is usually located in the master bath.

2.)  All kitchen outlets are on two GFCI devices; these devices are located in the kitchen over your countertops.

3.)  All weatherproof outlets and garage outlets are on one GFCI device; this device is usually located in the garage.

4.)  Flickering recess light fixtures: Flickering of recess light fixtures usually happens when the lamp that was installed had a greater wattage then the maximum wattage rating of the fixture. All recess fixtures have a lamp selection chart located in the rough housing of the fixture, please review this chart before lamping any of your recess fixtures.

5.)  Switched wall outlets, If any of the rooms in your home have switched wall outlets, the top half of the outlet will be controlled by the wall switch. The bottom half of that same outlet will remain energized at all times.

6.)  Dishwasher disconnect; Your dishwasher is required by code to have a disconnect switch. This switch is usually located in the same area as the dishwasher right above the counter on the wall. If your dishwasher is not working, please check this switch first and make sure it is on. If the switch is on and the dishwasher still isn’t working, check the circuit breaker.