What to Do If You Have Partial Power in Your PA Home

A power outage usually means the lights go out throughout your home. But sometimes, you may find that only part of your Pennsylvania home has lost power. One room may be dark while the rest of the house has electricity, or some outlets and appliances may work while others don't.

Partial power can have several causes. Some are relatively simple, while others can indicate a serious electrical problem that requires professional attention.

Check Your Electrical Panel

If only part of your home has lost power, start by checking your electrical panel. A tripped circuit breaker can cut power to one portion of your home while leaving the rest of the electrical system operating normally.

If you find a breaker that has moved to the middle or off position, you can reset it by moving it fully to the off position and then back to on.

However, don't repeatedly reset a breaker that continues to trip. A breaker that keeps shutting off may be responding to an overloaded circuit, short circuit, ground fault, or another electrical problem.

Look for a Tripped GFCI Outlet

A ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, can also interrupt power to multiple outlets. GFCI protection is common in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, laundry areas, and outdoor locations.

If one or more outlets aren't working, look for a nearby GFCI outlet with a reset button. Pressing the reset button may restore power.

If the GFCI won't reset or immediately trips again, there may be an underlying electrical issue that needs to be diagnosed.

Consider Whether the Problem Is With the Utility

Sometimes partial power isn't actually a problem inside your home. Utility equipment, damaged power lines, or a neighborhood outage can affect the power supplied to your property.

If your neighbors are experiencing similar problems, check with your electric utility for an outage report or estimated restoration time.

Watch for Signs of a More Serious Electrical Problem

Partial power can sometimes indicate a problem with the home's electrical service or wiring. Pay attention to warning signs such as:

• Lights becoming unusually bright or dim

• Lights flickering when appliances turn on

• Burning smells

• Buzzing or crackling sounds

• Warm or discolored outlets

• Sparks

• Repeatedly tripping breakers

• Appliances behaving unusually

• Power repeatedly cutting in and out

If you notice any of these symptoms, don't attempt to diagnose or repair the wiring yourself.

Don't Ignore Partial Power

A partial outage isn't necessarily an emergency, but it shouldn't automatically be treated as a minor inconvenience either. Electrical problems can worsen if the underlying cause isn't addressed.

If you've checked your breakers and GFCI outlets and still don't have power in part of your Pennsylvania home, an electrician can determine whether the problem is inside your home or related to the electrical service.

Thomas Edison Electric provides electrical troubleshooting and 24-hour emergency electrical service throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.