Short answer
Electrical troubleshooting is tracing a problem back to its cause: a failed device, a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or a fault in the panel or service. Call an electrician when a breaker keeps tripping, an outlet or light is dead after you've checked breakers and GFCIs, or you notice warm cover plates, buzzing or a burning smell. Select Electric handles troubleshooting and repair across Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties.
Most electrical problems show up as a symptom somewhere other than where the fault actually is. A dead bedroom outlet can come from a loose wire in the outlet before it. Lights that dim across the whole house can start at the service connection outside. Troubleshooting means testing, not guessing, until the cause is found.
Signs You Need Troubleshooting
- A breaker that trips again as soon as you reset it, or every time a certain appliance runs. See breaker keeps tripping.
- An outlet, switch or light that stopped working, or a GFCI that won't reset. See outlet not working.
- Some rooms without power while others work, or lights that get oddly bright and dim. See half the house has no power.
- Lights that flicker or dim. See lights flickering or dimming.
- Warm or discolored cover plates, buzzing, crackling or a burning smell. See burning smell, buzzing or a hot outlet.
If you smell burning or see smoke or scorch marks, turn off the affected breaker (or the main, if you can reach it safely) and call 911 if there is any sign of fire. Don't use the circuit again until it has been checked.
What We Look For
At the Device
Worn outlets, loose backstabbed connections (wires pushed into the back of an outlet instead of wrapped on a screw), failed switches and tired GFCIs cause a large share of service calls.
On the Circuit
Overloaded circuits, damaged cable, open neutrals and old splices hidden in boxes. We test voltage under load, not just with the circuit idle, because many faults only show up when something is running.
At the Panel and Service
Loose or corroded lugs, failing breakers, signs of heat, and problems on the service conductors. A problem on the utility side of the meter is handled by your utility, and we can tell you when that is the case.
How the Job Goes
- You describe the symptom. When it started, what was running, what you've already reset.
- We test. From the device back toward the panel, under load where it matters.
- We explain what we found. The cause, the fix, and anything else we noticed that you should know about.
- We repair it. Once you approve the repair, we make it and replace what failed.
- We confirm it works. The circuit is tested again before we leave.
What It Costs
Ask what a service call costs when you call. Once we've found the cause, we'll tell you what the fix involves and what it costs before the work starts. For what drives the price of electrical work, see what electrical work costs.
Local Detail: Older Homes Around the Great Lakes Bay Region
Housing age matters for troubleshooting. According to the U.S. Census (American Community Survey, 2020–2024), the median home in Bay City was built in 1941, and 74% of homes there were built before 1960. In the city of Saginaw the median year is 1949, with 70% built before 1960. Homes that age often have ungrounded two-wire circuits, add-on wiring from several decades, and panels that have been changed more than once. The city of Midland's housing is newer (median 1971), but even a 50-year-old house has devices and connections that have worn out.
Select Electric has been working in Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties since 1983. To have a problem traced, call (989) 835-3587.
Common Questions
What should I check before I call an electrician?
Look at the panel for a breaker that sits in the middle or off position, and reset it by pushing it fully off, then on. Press the reset button on any GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, the garage, basement and outdoors, since one GFCI can protect outlets in other rooms. If that doesn't bring the circuit back, or the breaker trips again right away, stop resetting it and call (989) 835-3587.
Is it dangerous to keep resetting a breaker that trips?
It can be. A breaker trips because it detected too much current, a short circuit, a ground fault or an arc. Resetting it over and over forces the fault to heat up wiring or connections again. If it trips as soon as you reset it, or keeps tripping without anything obvious running, leave it off and have the circuit traced.
Why do some of my lights flicker when the furnace or washer starts?
A brief dip when a large motor starts is common and usually harmless. Flickering that is steady, getting worse, or affects lights across the whole house can point to a loose connection at a device, in the panel or on the service. Loose connections make heat, so it is worth having that checked.
What is the difference between a GFCI and an AFCI?
A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) shuts off power when current leaks to ground, such as through water or a person. It is required in wet and damp locations. An AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) shuts off power when it detects the kind of arcing a damaged cord or loose connection makes, which is a fire risk. Newer codes require AFCI protection on most living-area circuits.
Do you work on older homes with outdated wiring?
Yes. Much of the housing in Bay City and Saginaw was built before 1960, and we regularly trace problems in older wiring, add-on circuits and panels that have been changed over the years. We'll tell you what we find and what, if anything, needs to be updated.