Dead outlet
First check: is it on a GFCI? Walk every bath, kitchen, garage, basement, and outdoor outlet on that floor and reset any tripped GFCI. About 60% of "dead outlet" calls end there. Still dead? Could be a backstab failure (very common in 1980s+ builds) or a tripped AFCI breaker.
Breaker keeps tripping
Trips immediately on reset → short circuit. Trips under load → overload or weak breaker. Trips intermittently → arc fault or loose termination. AFCI breakers are particularly prone to nuisance trips when paired with vacuum motors, treadmills, or older LED drivers.
Lights flickering
Single room: dimmer/LED compatibility or loose neutral. Whole house: utility issue, loose service neutral, or panel problem. Whole-house flicker is an emergency — a failing service neutral can fry electronics in seconds.
Buzzing switch or outlet
Buzz from a dimmer with LEDs usually means dimmer/LED mismatch. Buzz from an outlet or non-dimmer switch means loose terminations or arcing — turn off the breaker and call an electrician.
Warm or hot outlet
Always abnormal. Could be loose wire, undersized for load, or failed device. Power down the circuit immediately.
Burning smell with no visible source
Power down the affected circuit (or main) and call. Burning electrical insulation has a distinctive sharp ozone-and-plastic smell.
Tripped GFCI that won't reset
Either there's a real fault downstream, or the GFCI itself has failed. They have a 7–10 year design life. We replace failed devices with the same brand and trip rating.
Outlet sparks when plug inserted
A small spark on plug insertion is normal. A sustained arc or audible crack is not — replace the outlet.
If you want a written estimate from a licensed electrician in Maryland, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia, call Flash Power LLC at (202) 926-7065 or request a free quote.