Electrical questions, answered

Replace smoke detectors every 10 years from the manufacture date printed on the back — even if they still chirp when tested. Test them monthly and change batteries yearly, unless you have 10-year sealed-battery units. After a decade the sensor degrades and may not detect smoke reliably.

Yes, if your home has any fuel-burning appliances (gas or propane furnace, water heater, range, fireplace) or an attached garage. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, so detectors are the only way to catch it. Put one on every level and near sleeping areas, and replace CO detectors every 5–7 years.

A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) shuts power off within a fraction of a second if it senses current leaking to ground — which is what happens during a shock. It protects people from electrocution and is required in wet or damp areas: kitchens, bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, and outdoors.

An AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) detects dangerous arcing — the sparking from damaged, loose, or aged wiring — and shuts the circuit off before it can start a fire. Modern code requires AFCI protection in most living areas. Arcing is a leading cause of home electrical fires.

A GFCI protects people from shock (current leaking to ground). An AFCI protects your home from fire (dangerous arcing in the wiring). They guard against different hazards — and dual-function breakers do both in one device.

A breaker trips to protect you. Common causes are an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault, or a worn-out breaker. The occasional trip is normal, but one that trips repeatedly is telling you something's wrong and should be diagnosed.

Flickering when an appliance kicks on can mean a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or an aging panel that can't keep up. If it's in more than one room, have it checked — loose connections create heat and can become a fire risk.

Consider an upgrade if you have an outdated or recalled panel (like Federal Pacific or Zinsco), frequent trips, too few circuits, only 100-amp service, or you're adding big loads like an EV charger or HVAC. Homes over 25 years old often benefit from a modern, safe panel.

Two-prong outlets are ungrounded, which leaves electronics unprotected and raises shock risk. The safest fix is rewiring with a proper ground; where that's impractical, GFCI protection is an accepted way to make them safer. We can recommend the right option for your home.

It's a smart investment. One surge — from a storm, a grid event, or a big appliance cycling — can fry HVAC boards, appliances, TVs, and electronics. Whole-home surge protection installs at your panel and guards the entire house, and pairs well with point-of-use protection for sensitive gear.

Every few years is a good rule — and especially when buying or selling a home, after a major storm, or if the home is 25-plus years old. LiveWire performs a thorough 40-point electrical safety evaluation so you know exactly what's safe and what needs attention.

Aluminum branch wiring, common in some 1960s–70s homes, can loosen and overheat at connections over time — a fire risk. It doesn't always need full replacement; proven remediation methods exist. Either way, it should be evaluated by a qualified electrician.