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Practical answers for homes and businesses, plus local posts about power, permits and code in the cities we serve.
16 posts
- Grapevine Carol of Lights Season: Holiday Lighting SafetyGrapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas season features the Carol of Lights, and many homes join in. Inspect lights and cords for damage, use outdoor-rated products, plug outdoor lights into GFCI-protected circuits, and stay 10 feet from power lines. Call a licensed electrician for any wiring or outlet work.Oct 20, 2026
- Panel Upgrade in Southlake: Who Disconnects the Oncor Meter?Do not pull the electric meter yourself. Oncor says unauthorized disconnection of its meter can result in fees and tampering charges. For a temporary disconnect or reconnect, call Oncor at 888.313.6862. Your licensed electrician does the panel work, and your city may require an inspection before service is restored.Oct 14, 2026
- What an ERCOT Conservation Notice Means for Southlake HomesERCOT sends TXANS notices when Texas power demand is high. A Weather Watch comes about 3 to 5 days ahead. A Voluntary Conservation Notice and a Conservation Appeal ask you to use less power, if safe to do so. An electrician cannot change the grid, but can check your home's wiring and panel.Oct 8, 2026
- Grapevine Electrical Permits and Contractor RegistrationGrapevine says minor electrical repair work, such as replacing lamps, does not need a permit. Larger electrical work does, and contractors register with the city, online or through the permit office. Call Grapevine Building Services at 817-410-3165 if you are unsure. Simple trade permits have a same-day goal.Oct 2, 2026
- Electrical Permits in Keller: What the City Asks ForKeller says moving or adding an electrical outlet requires a permit. Changing a switch does not normally need one, but a permanently wired light fixture does. Contractors should pull the permit, and the property owner is ultimately responsible for inspections. Call Keller Building Services at 817-743-4110 for your specific job.Sep 26, 2026
- Do You Need a Permit for Electrical Work in Southlake?In Southlake, call Building Inspections at (817) 748-8236 before electrical work to ask if it needs a permit. Contractors must register with the city, and permits and inspections run through the city's online system. State law also requires a license for most electrical work. Never guess; ask the city first.Sep 20, 2026
- After a North Texas Storm: Electrical Checks Before Power ReturnsAfter a storm in Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller, stay away from downed lines and call 911. Oncor says damaged equipment on your house, like the meter base or weatherhead, needs a licensed electrician before power can be restored. Do not touch wet panels or flooded outlets. Call an electrician for any damage.Sep 14, 2026
- Power Outage in Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller: What to DoIn Southlake, Grapevine, and Keller, report an outage to Oncor at 888-313-4747 or text OUT to 66267. Some addresses get power from Tri-County Electric Cooperative instead. Call 911 for a downed line. If only your home is dark, Oncor does not own the meter base or weatherhead on your house.Sep 8, 2026
- 2026 National Electrical Code in Texas: What to KnowThe Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code as the state electrical code, effective September 1, 2026, with one limited exception for certain outdoor GFCI outlets. Your city may list an older edition, so ask your licensed electrician which rules apply to your job.Sep 1, 2026
- Hot Tub and Pool Electrical Safety: What Owners Should KnowPools and hot tubs need GFCI protection, plus working grounding and bonding. NFPA says to have equipment inspected and maintained, and to hire an electrician experienced in these installations. Test GFCI devices as the maker directs. Never do pool or spa wiring yourself.Aug 17, 2026
- LED Bulbs Flicker or Buzz: Bulb, Dimmer, or Wiring?LED bulbs flicker or buzz most often because the bulb and the dimmer do not match. Other causes are a loose bulb, a failing driver, or a wiring or connection problem. Swap in a matched bulb first. If several lights flicker or an outlet buzzes, call a licensed electrician.Aug 10, 2026
- Electrical Checks Before You Buy or Sell a HouseBefore you buy or sell, have a qualified person inspect the electrical system. Look at the panel, breakers, outlets, wiring type, and any old-home risks such as Federal Pacific panels or aluminum wiring. A licensed electrician can explain findings and give a written quote for repairs.Aug 3, 2026
- Five Electrical Items a Facility Manager Should Check QuarterlyEach quarter, look at five things you can see without opening equipment: panel areas, lighting, cords and strips, labels, and your maintenance records. Do not open panels or touch live parts. Send anything that looks hot, damaged, or unexplained to a licensed commercial electrician.Jul 27, 2026
- Power Strips, Surge Protectors, and Extension Cords: What Is SafeExtension cords and power strips are for temporary, light use. A surge protector guards electronics from spikes but does not add capacity. Plug big appliances and heaters straight into the wall. If you rely on cords every day, ask a licensed electrician about adding outlets or circuits.Jul 20, 2026
- Aluminum Wiring in Older DFW Homes: Check Before You BuyAluminum branch wiring was used in many homes built in the mid 1960s to early 1970s. CPSC links it to overheated connections at outlets and switches. If a home you own or want to buy may have it, ask a licensed electrician to inspect before you decide.Jul 13, 2026
- Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping? Causes and Next StepsA breaker trips to stop too much current. The usual causes are an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault, an arc fault, or a worn breaker. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off, unplug what is on that circuit, and call a licensed electrician.Jul 6, 2026
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