Blue Collar Electric FAQs

Frequent breaker trips are one of the most common signs of an electrical issue. Possible causes include: overloaded circuits (too many appliances on one circuit), a ground fault or short circuit, a loose or aging connection, or a weak/faulty breaker. If resetting doesn’t permanently solve it, we’ll perform a load analysis, inspect wiring and devices, and correct the root problem. Call Blue Collar Electric and we’ll inspect your circuit load, test and replace the breaker if needed, and rebalance or rewire to prevent future trips.

Occasional flicker when a large appliance kicks on is not uncommon (e.g. HVAC starting). But persistent or random flickering often indicates a loose connection, voltage fluctuation, or a problem inside the panel. In Tampa Bay, humidity and thermal cycling can accelerate loosening in wiring. Call Blue Collar Electric and we’ll trace the issue and repair connections or upgrade components as needed.

Yes — sparking, warmth, or discoloration around outlets suggests a degraded or loose connection, worn receptacle, or internal damage. These are fire-risk symptoms. Turn off that circuit and call us. Call Blue Collar Electric to replace the receptacle, repair and fix any damaged wiring to eliminate fire risk, and ensure code-compliant protection (e.g. GFCI or AFCI as required).

• GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): protects you from electrical shock by detecting current leakage (especially in wet locations).
• AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter): protects against fires caused by arcing in damaged or deteriorated wiring.
  Modern electrical codes often require both in specific circuits (bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.).

Call Blue Collar Electric to install or upgrade to the proper GFCI/AFCI devices required by code in the correct circuits.

We recommend a full electrical inspection every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if your home is aging, you live in a storm-prone region, or you’re planning a major appliance or EV charger install. In Tampa Bay, periodic inspections help catch issues exacerbated by moisture, corrosion, rodents, or storm damage. Call Blue Collar Electric to perform a full safety inspection from a licensed electrician and identify hidden issues before they become costly.

Possibly. It depends on your current panel’s capacity, available breakers, wire size, and load demand. A Level 1 (120 V) charger is lower draw; Level 2 (240 V) often requires more capacity. If your panel is older (100 amp or less) or nearly full, or if load calculations show inadequate headroom, an upgrade to 200 amp or adding a subpanel may be recommended. Call Blue Collar Electric to perform a load calculation and, if needed, upgrade your panel or add a subpanel to safely support new loads.

Some region-specific challenges include:

• Moisture, humidity, and salt air accelerating corrosion in wiring, connectors, and outdoor devices
• Frequent lightning storms and power surges (surge protection is important)
• Older wiring types surviving in older neighborhoods (e.g. knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring) that don’t cope well with modern loads or Florida’s climate
• Storm-related damage to overhead service lines or service mast
• Rodent damage in attics or crawl spaces exposing wiring

At Blue Collar Electric, we’ll use corrosion-resistant materials, install surge protection, and repair region-specific damage to protect your system.

Yes, it can be. While a low battery is the usual culprit, chirping can also be caused by power fluctuations or wiring issues feeding the alarm circuit. In humid Tampa Bay homes, moisture or poor wiring connections can interrupt consistent power and trigger the chirp. Here at Blue Collar Electric, we can test and diagnose the circuit feeding the alarm and ensure proper wiring or replacement.

No — extension cords and power strips are meant for temporary or occasional use. Continuous use increases fire risk, especially if overloaded. If you have many devices in one area, it’s safer to install additional dedicated circuits or outlets. Call Blue Collar Electric to install additional permanent outlets or circuits where needed for safe, code-compliant power.

Yes, inefficient or faulty wiring, loose connections, voltage drop, or shared circuits pulling stray power can contribute to higher usage. Additionally, hidden loads (e.g. phantom loads) and aging devices draw extra current. Call Blue Collar Electric to perform diagnostic testing (voltage drop, circuit currents) to locate power losses or inefficiencies and then repair or rewire to improve efficiency.