Electrical problems in a Tulsa home

Power out after a storm or ice storm?

1. If neighbors are out too, it's a utility outage. Most of Tulsa gets its power from PSO. Report it and check updates at the PSO outage center.
2. If only your home is out, check the main breaker, then call PSO.
3. If part of your home is out, look for a tripped breaker or GFCI outlet. If it trips again right away, call an electrician.
4. Run a portable generator outdoors only, away from windows, and never connect it to house wiring without a transfer switch installed by an electrician (Ready.gov: Power outages).

Older homes: wiring worth checking

Homes built before about 1950 may still have knob-and-tube wiring or a fuse box, and many older homes have ungrounded two-prong outlets. Some homes built from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s used aluminum branch wiring, which needs special connectors. If your home is older, have an electrician look before you add a big load like an EV charger or a new AC.

Warning signs

• Lights that flicker or dim often, not just when the AC starts
• A breaker that keeps tripping. Never put in a bigger breaker or fuse.
• Outlets that are warm, discolored or loose
• Shocks or tingles from fixtures or appliances

Lightning and surges

Spring lightning can send surges through your wiring. Ask an electrician about a whole-home surge protector, and use plug-in protectors for electronics.

Before you hire

Electricians in Oklahoma are licensed by the state. Check a license with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board: electrical licensing. More on safety: U.S. Fire Administration: Appliance and electrical fire safety.