ALWAYS SHUT POWER OFF

DO NOT WORK ON ENERGIZED EQUIPMENT

Light fixtures not working:

If the fixture is incandescent, a single lamp, or a chandelier, shut the power off. First try replacing the lightbulb. If only one lamp is out on a chandelier, the problem is within the fixture. Call Mark Snyder Electric. If a single lamp incandescent fixture is out, then the problem is in either the socket, the fixture, or the power to the fixture. First, check the fixture for power. If there is power, the fixture needs to be replaced. If there is no power, there is a power issue. Call Mark Snyder Electric.

Flourescent fixure out:

Shut power off and try replacing the lamp. If replacing the lamp doesn’t work, you have a ballast or power problem. BE CAREFUL – fluorescent fixtures has ballasts that can boost the voltage up to as high as 600 volts. You MUST turn the power off; otherwise, you could become severely injured.

Home Power Goes Out:

Check your circuit breakers. If your breakers are not labeled, look for one that looks “tripped” – facing a slightly different direction than the rest. Shut that breaker off, and then back on. If this does not work or you do not see any tripped breakers, call Mark Snyder Electric.

Air Conditioning not working:

Try resetting the circuit breaker. If the breaker is not tripped, your air conditioner’s fuse may be blown. Turn off the air conditioner’s power (it will be a 220v breaker.) If you hear a loud buzzing sound or smell something in your compressor (the unit outdoors,) then the unit itself is damaged. IMPORTANT: If you can’t find your breaker, DO NOT try to replace the fuse without shutting the breaker off. Call Mark Snyder Electric.

Electrical appliances not working
(refrigerator, trash compactor, TV, stove, dishwasher, computer, etc.)

Reset your breaker first. If this doesn’t fix your problem, and you do not smell anything burning, the problem is probably electrical-related. Call Mark Snyder Electric

Outlets that aren’t working:

One Outlet: check to see if this is a switched outlet. Often in tract or custom homes, overhead lights are not installed and switched receptacles were used instead. 3-4 receptacles in one room or two bedrooms next to eachother. If your home was built circa 1970-1990, stablock receptacles, or quick wire receptacles that daisy chainin a parallel series manner may be the problem. If one of these stab type spring friction connected receptacles loosens, a whole area of a circuit may go out including indoor lights and outdoor lights, depending on where this receptacle is in the circuit. The electrical code for San Diego allows up to 15 current consuming devices on a lighting circuit assuming they are low power, 1 ½ amps or 180 watts each. If you have 10 or 12 plugs out and no breaker is tripped, you probably have a stablock feed through problem. This is a common problem in older homes.

Power is out to half your house, and all 220v appliances don’t work:

This normally means that your main breaker has tripped from age or overload. To reset your main, shut all of your other breakers off first. The main breaker will be a double breaker marked “main” or “service” disconnect.” It normally is a 100-125 on an older home or town home that has your meter at the house. For larger homes or homes 1980 and later, the electric services are likely 200 amps. DO NOT ATTEMPT resetting the main breaker with any loads on. This is VERY UNSAFE and may cause power surges and damager electronics, burn up computers and modems, and create many unnecessary problems. If you find the main breaker is not tripped, call SDG&E or check the news/social media to find out if you have a power outage in your neighborhood. Check if your neighbors’ lights are out. If not, you may have a localized power issue that is utility related or related to the meter socket. SDG&E will come at no charge and confirm it is not related to their utility system. At this point, call Mark Snyder Electric.