Electrical Services FAQ

Electrical service is a phrase that refers to the system that delivers power from the utility company to homes, businesses, and other buildings, providing the energy necessary to operate your lights, appliances, and electronics. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it all works:

Step 1: Power Generation

Electricity is produced at power plants using various sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, or renewable sources like wind and solar.

Step 2: Transmission

High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity over long distances from the power plants to substations. These lines operate at extremely high voltages to reduce energy loss over long distances.

Step 3: Substation Transformation

Once the voltage reaches a substation, transformers reduce it to a level that can be safely distributed to homes and businesses.

Step 4: Distribution

From the substation, the power is sent through lower-voltage distribution lines. These lines often run along streets, either overhead or underground, to reach individual buildings.

Step 5: Entrance

When the electricity reaches your building, it passes through a meter to measure usage. From there, it’s ready to use in your home or business.

One of the most common electrical service FAQs we receive is, “Why you?” In other words, customers want to know why they should choose us over other electricians in Little Rock. We believe the answer is simple — we strive to stand head and shoulders over “the other guys” in every way.  

Our principles of stewardship, trust, agility, loyalty, excellence, and “yes” guide everything we do, and our mission is to deliver quality electrical solutions and service in such a way that our customers refuse to use anyone else.

Staley Electric serves a large area! Our friendly, licensed electricians are right near you if your home or business is local to any of the following communities in AR:

• Little Rock 
• Maumelle
• Conway
• Benton
• Bryant
• Cabot
• Jacksonville
• Sherwood
• Hensley
• White Hall
• England
• Hot Springs
• Malvern
• Sheridan
• Lonoke
• Beebe
• Greenbriar
• Perryville 
• Morgan
• And nearby!

Your electrical outlets and switches provide important clues when they need attention. If you notice that an outlet or light switch feels warm or hot when you touch it, this is a serious warning sign that requires immediate attention. A burning smell coming from any outlet, switch, light fixture, or electrical appliance is equally concerning and demands immediate professional inspection. You might also notice sparking when plugging in a device or turning on your lights, which isn’t normal and should be addressed quickly. 

Physical signs of trouble include outlets that feel loose when you insert a plug, or switches that have become discolored or scorched. If you hear crackling or buzzing sounds coming from your outlets, switches, light fixtures, or ceiling fans, these are also clear indicators that it’s time to call a professional electrician. We can test your system to find the source of the problem and handle the repair safely.

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home or commercial building’s electrical systems, and knowing when to upgrade it is crucial for safety and functionality. If your property is more than 20 years old and still has its original panel and electrical circuits, or you use a less modern system such as a fuse box, it may be time to install a new panel. Even something as seemingly minor as faulty wiring can result in electrical shock, fire, or other dangerous circumstances. 

Adding a major appliance to a residential property often necessitates a panel upgrade. Modern homes typically require at least a 200-amp panel to handle the demands of today’s appliances. Visual signs of trouble include rust or corrosion on the panel, which can indicate water damage or age-related deterioration. 

Finally, if you have a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) or Zinsco panel, we recommend having it replaced by a skilled electrician ASAP. These electrical panels are known to be faulty and contain wiring issues that can cause an electrical fire.

Circuit breakers switch off for your safety, but frequent tripping indicates underlying electrical problems that need attention. The most common cause of a blown circuit breaker is a problem known as circuit overload, which happens when too many devices draw from the same circuit simultaneously and the electrical current exceeds the safe limit. 

Another common electrical problem that results in breaker problems is ground faults. Ground faults happen when electricity finds an unintended path to ground, often through water exposure or damaged insulation. These situations can cause electrical fires, shock, or damage to connected equipment. Our skilled electricians can install a whole-home surge protector to safeguard your appliances and other electronics from damage caused by power surges.

To prevent circuit breaker trips, major appliances (like your air conditioner and washing machine) should have dedicated circuits to prevent overloads. Avoid connecting multiple power strips to create additional outlets, as this can overburden your circuit breakers and create a fire hazard. Scheduling regular inspections for your wiring, panel, and circuit breaker equipment also helps you stay on top of any necessary repair work.

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)  monitors electrical current flow and automatically shuts off power when it detects an imbalance that could indicate a dangerous situation, like current leaking through water or a person. Required GFCI locations include:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens (countertop areas)
• Outdoor outlets
• Basements
• Garages
• Areas near sinks or water sources
• Laundry rooms
• Crawl spaces

GFCI protection is required by electrical code in many locations. If your home or commercial building lacks GFCI protection in required areas, prioritize installation by a licensed electrician such as our team at Staley Electric.