Electrical Troubleshooting

Fast, accurate diagnostics to identify the root cause.

Quick Answers

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  • We use professional testing to pinpoint the root cause. This may include circuit testing, breaker/panel diagnostics, GFCI/AFCI fault tracing, voltage drop checks, and verification of neutrals and grounding on affected circuits. You’ll get a clear explanation and repair options before any work begins.

  • If you notice any of these, it’s worth a diagnostic:

    • Breakers tripping repeatedly

    • Flickering/dimming lights

    • Dead outlets or partial power loss

    • Burning smell, buzzing, or warmth at devices

    • GFCI that won’t reset

    • Problems after storms or renovations

  • Along the coast, we frequently find issues related to salt air and humidity, including corrosion in panels and connections, moisture-related GFCI failures, outdoor receptacles that deteriorate faster, and aging equipment impacted by rust and oxidation. These often cause intermittent power loss or nuisance tripping.

  • Often, yes. if the repair is straightforward and parts are available (loose connection, failed device, bad breaker, GFCI, etc.). If the issue requires a larger repair (panel work, major circuit repairs, or permitting), we’ll provide clear options and schedule the next step.

  • Troubleshooting is a diagnostic service. You’re paying for accurate testing, time, and expertise to identify the cause. After diagnosis, you’ll receive repair options with upfront pricing. If you approve a repair, we’ll apply the findings directly to the fix.

  • Yes. If an inspection flags electrical concerns (open grounds, GFCI issues, panel concerns, tripping breakers, missing bonding, etc.), we can diagnose and provide a clear scope for repairs. We communicate clearly with homeowners, agents, and inspectors and can provide documentation when needed.

  • If you have burning smells, scorching, heat at outlets/switches, buzzing from the panel, repeated breaker trips, or visible damage, treat it as urgent. Turn off the affected circuit if safe and contact us immediately.

What We Often Discover

Real issues found during electrical troubleshooting

Main Breaker & Coastal Corrosion

This photo was taken during an inspection at a recently purchased Myrtle Beach home. The home inspection report had flagged the outdoor main breaker panel for visible corrosion. After opening the panel for a closer evaluation, we confirmed significant rust and oxidation on the main breaker and connection points. In coastal environments, salt air and humidity gradually deteriorate outdoor electrical equipment, even when it was originally installed correctly. Conditions like this often require proactive repair or replacement to maintain safety and reliability.

  • Homes along the coast are constantly exposed to salt air and high humidity. Even when equipment is installed correctly, outdoor electrical panels slowly accumulate moisture and airborne salt over time. This environment accelerates rust and oxidation on metal components, especially at the main breaker and connection points.

    In a home built in 2008, this type of wear is very common after 15+ years of coastal exposure. It doesn’t mean the original installation was done incorrectly, it’s simply the reality of living near the ocean.

  • Corrosion on a main breaker can lead to several problems, including:

    • Intermittent power loss

    • Breakers tripping unexpectedly

    • Flickering or dimming lights

    • Overheating at connection points

    • Reduced electrical reliability

    • Difficulty resetting breakers

    • Premature failure of breakers or panel components

    Because the main breaker controls power to the entire home, issues here affect everything downstream.

  • This condition is not an immediate emergency, but it is a problem that should be addressed in a timely manner.

    Corrosion like this tends to get worse, not better. Left uncorrected, it can eventually cause:

    • Heat buildup

    • Poor electrical connections

    • Equipment failure

    • Potential safety concerns

    Catching it early allows for controlled, planned repairs instead of unexpected outages or costly emergency replacements.

Overheated and Failing Breakers

This photo was taken during a service call at a Wilmington rental property where the tenant reported the electric range had stopped working. After testing the circuit, we discovered the breaker was no longer delivering proper 240 volts. One leg of the breaker had failed internally. When the panel was opened and the breaker removed, we found visible burn and melting damage on one of the breaker prongs, a clear sign of overheating and long-term deterioration.

    • Age and long-term wear

    • Loose connections inside the panel

    • Heat buildup from high-demand circuits

    • Coastal humidity and salt air

    • Older breaker designs not built for modern loads

    • Flickering lights

    • Breakers tripping randomly

    • Warm or hot panel cover

    • Burning smell near the panel

    • Outlets or appliances losing power intermittently

    • Nuisance tripping

    • Damaged wiring and devices

    • Melted breaker connections

    • Complete circuit failure

    • Increased risk of electrical fire

    • Thermal inspection of the panel

    • Torque-testing connections

    • Replacing damaged or outdated breakers

    • Evaluating load on critical circuits

    • Upgrading panels when necessary

    • Loose wiring connections behind the receptacle

    • Aging outlets that can no longer grip wires tightly

    • Heavy-use devices like space heaters and kitchen appliances

    • “Plug-in” (backstab) wiring methods instead of screw terminals

    • Coastal humidity and salt air accelerating deterioration

    Over time, these factors create resistance at the connection point, and resistance creates heat.

  • When a connection loosens inside the wall, electricity can begin to arc.
    Arcing creates intense, concentrated heat that isn’t visible to the homeowner.

    This can lead to:

    • Burned or melted outlets

    • Tripping breakers

    • Flickering lights

    • And in serious cases, fire inside the wall where it can’t be seen

    That hidden nature is what makes loose connections especially dangerous.

  • Modern electrical codes now require Arc-Fault breakers in most living areas because they are designed to detect dangerous arcing conditions.

    Homes built before these requirements often rely on standard breakers, which do not detect arcing.

    Without AFCI protection:

    • Arcing can occur with little to no warning

    • A breaker may never trip

    • Damage can continue unseen for years

    Upgrading to AFCI protection is one of the best safety improvements you can make in an older home.

  • Our standard repair process includes:

    • Replacing damaged outlets and wiring

    • Moving all connections to secure screw terminals

    • Inspecting the entire circuit for similar issues

    • Upgrading to AFCI protection when recommended

    • Testing under load to confirm safe operation

    We don’t just replace the outlet, we correct the root cause.

  • Contact a professional if you notice:

    • Warm or discolored outlets

    • Burning smells near receptacles

    • Flickering lights when plugging in devices

    • Outlets that stop working randomly

    • Breakers tripping without clear reason

    These are early warning signs that should never be ignored.

Overheated Outlets from Loose Connections

Damage like this is most often caused by loose wiring connections behind the outlet. Many receptacles were installed using quick “plug-in” or backstab connections instead of secure screw terminals. Over time those connections can loosen, creating small electrical arcs inside the wall. Arcing produces intense heat, which can lead to burning, melted outlets, and in the worst cases, fire hidden behind drywall, especially in homes that do not have modern Arc-Fault (AFCI) protection.

Expert Electrical Troubleshooting – Myrtle Beach to Wilmington

Electrical problems don’t fix themselves, they get worse. If you’re dealing with flickering lights, tripping breakers, dead outlets, or strange electrical behavior, you need accurate troubleshooting from a licensed professional.

At Southern Standard Electric, we specialize in fast, reliable electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics for homeowners along the Carolina coast. Our goal is simple: find the real problem, explain it clearly, and provide safe, long-term solutions.

We commonly help with:

Electrical troubleshooting for homes and rental properties

  • Circuit breakers that keep tripping

  • Burnt or overheated breakers

  • Corroded outdoor panels in coastal environments

  • Outlets that stop working

  • Flickering or dimming lights

  • Loose electrical connections

  • GFCI and AFCI issues

  • Partial power loss

  • Electrical safety concerns found on home inspections

If you’ve searched for “electrical troubleshooting near me,” you’ve found the right team.

Don’t Ignore Electrical Problems

Loose connections, failing breakers, and aging equipment can lead to:

  • Hidden overheating behind walls

  • Intermittent power failures

  • Damage to appliances and electronics

  • Increased risk of electrical fire

Professional troubleshooting catches these issues early – before they turn into expensive or dangerous problems.

Proudly Serving Coastal Carolina Communities

We provide professional electrical troubleshooting and repair throughout:

South Carolina

  • Myrtle Beach

  • North Myrtle Beach

  • Garden City

  • Surfside Beach

  • Pawleys Island

  • Conway

  • Horry & Georgetown Counties

North Carolina

  • Wilmington

  • Hampstead

  • Leland

  • Southport

  • Shallotte

  • Brunswick & New Hanover Counties

No matter where you’re located along the coast, we’re ready to help diagnose your electrical issue the right way.

Schedule Electrical Troubleshooting Today

If something doesn’t feel right with your home’s electrical system, trust a local, licensed electrician to diagnose it correctly the first time.

Call Southern Standard Electric today for fast, honest electrical troubleshooting:


🕒 Prompt, Professional Service
✔ Clear Explanations
✔ Up-Front Pricing
✔ Licensed, Insured & Bonded

From Myrtle Beach to Wilmington, we’re here to keep your home safe, reliable, and up to Southern Standard.

Call Now: 910-368-3542