# Electrical Questions, Answered Straight

> Plain answers to what homeowners ask us most: tripping breakers, PSO outages, warm outlets, panels, permits and the diagnostic fee.

Canonical page: https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/

Hot Shot Electric Service Co. is a family-owned electrical contractor in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, founded August 1, 1995. Oklahoma Electrical Contractor License #26574, bonded and insured. BBB A+ accredited. Rated 4.9 stars across 246 Google reviews. Address 9203 S 241st E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. Phone (918) 261-8024. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Urgent problems (no power, a burning smell, a hot panel, storm damage) are worked the same day during business hours. Calls after hours go to voicemail and are returned first thing the next business morning.

- [What should I check before I call an electrician?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/before-you-call-an-electrician.md): Check four things first: the wall switch that may control the outlet or light, the breaker panel for a tripped breaker, every GFCI outlet's reset button, and PSO's outage map if the whole house is dark. If you smell burning, hear buzzing, or a breaker trips again right away, stop and call.
- [Part of my house has no power after a PSO outage. What should I do?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/partial-power-after-pso-outage.md): Reset any tripped breakers once. If the air conditioner, dryer, range or water heater is dead but some lights work, the house has probably lost one leg of its 240-volt service, which is often on PSO's side. Report it to PSO first. If PSO finds their equipment fine, call us to trace it.
- [What does the diagnostic fee cover?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/what-the-diagnostic-fee-covers.md): The diagnostic fee covers a licensed journeyman's trip to your home, the testing it takes to find the cause, a roughly 20-point electrical safety inspection, and a clear price for the repair before any work starts. Planned installs get a free estimate. Before you book, we walk you through quick checks that may fix it.
- [Why does my breaker keep tripping?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/why-does-my-breaker-keep-tripping.md): A breaker trips to protect the wiring from too much current. The usual causes are an overloaded circuit, a short in a device or wire, a ground fault from moisture, or a loose connection, often at the first outlet on the circuit. Unplug things and reset once. If it trips again, stop and call.
- [Is a warm or discolored outlet dangerous?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/is-a-warm-outlet-dangerous.md): Yes, treat it as urgent. A warm cover plate, brown or black marks, crackling or a hot-plastic smell mean heat at a loose or overloaded connection. Unplug everything from it, turn off that breaker if you can do it safely, and call. If you see smoke or flames, leave and call 911.
- [After a storm, who fixes what: PSO or an electrician?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/who-fixes-what-pso-or-electrician.md): PSO is responsible for the power lines, the service drop to your house and the meter. You are responsible for the weatherhead and mast, the meter base, the panel and all wiring inside. If storm damage bent the mast or pulled the service off the house, PSO may require a licensed electrician to repair your side before they reconnect.
- [Do I need a permit for electrical work?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/do-i-need-a-permit-for-electrical-work.md): Usually, for anything beyond a like-for-like repair. Panel replacements, service upgrades, meter base work and new circuits generally require a city permit and inspection. Swapping a failed outlet or switch generally does not. Hot Shot Electric Service Co. pulls the permit and schedules the inspection wherever the city requires one.
- [How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be replaced?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/signs-your-electrical-panel-needs-replacing.md): Common signs: the panel is 20 to 25 years old or more, it is a brand inspectors and insurers flag, it feels warm or buzzes, shows rust or scorch marks, breakers trip often or will not reset, there is no space for new circuits, or it sits in a closet where code no longer allows it.
- [Is aluminum wiring dangerous?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/is-aluminum-wiring-dangerous.md): Aluminum branch wiring is not automatically dangerous, but its connections loosen and can overheat over time, especially at outlets and switches not rated for aluminum. Homes in this area wired roughly 1968 to 1975 are the ones to check. The common fix is copper pigtails joined with AlumiConn connectors, torqued to spec.
- [Can I plug my portable generator into a dryer outlet to power my house?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/can-i-plug-a-generator-into-a-dryer-outlet.md): No. A double-male cord into a dryer outlet back-feeds the house and can send power out onto PSO's lines, where it can injure or kill a line worker, and it can start a fire in your home. The safe way is a generator inlet with a transfer switch or a panel interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
- [What do I need to install a Level 2 EV charger at home?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/what-a-level-2-ev-charger-needs.md): A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized to the charger, usually on a 40 to 60 amp breaker, a panel with enough capacity and an open space, and either a hardwired connection or an EV-rated outlet. You supply the charger; we check the panel, run the circuit and mount it.
- [Why do my lights flicker?](https://hotshotelectrical.com/answers/why-do-my-lights-flicker.md): One flickering fixture usually means a loose bulb, a failing switch or dimmer, or a loose connection. Lights that dim when the AC or a big appliance starts suggest a heavily loaded circuit or service. Lights all over the house getting brighter and dimmer can mean a loose neutral, which needs prompt attention.

## Before you call

### Who answers when I call?

During business hours, someone on our team in the Broken Arrow office. We ask a few questions, walk you through quick checks and schedule a journeyman if you need one.

### What are your hours?

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

### What happens if I call after hours?

Calls after hours go to voicemail and are returned first thing the next business morning. We do not offer after-hours service. For fire or smoke, call 911.

## Pricing and scheduling

### How fast can someone come out?

Urgent problems such as no power, a burning smell or a hot panel are worked the same day during business hours. Other work is scheduled at a time that suits you.

### Is there a trip charge for farther cities?

Ask when you book. We tell you exactly how the visit is priced before anyone comes out.

### Will I know the price before you start?

Always. You approve the price before any work begins, and you hear about any change in scope before it is done.

### How can I pay?

Cash, check, debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, CashApp, and financing on larger projects.

## Credentials

### Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Hot Shot Electric Service Co. holds Oklahoma electrical contractor license #26574 with the Construction Industries Board and is bonded and insured. An active contractor license in Oklahoma requires current liability and workers' comp coverage.

### Who does the work in my home?

A licensed journeyman runs every job. Apprentices work only alongside a journeyman, never alone.

### Can I see the electrician's license?

Yes. Journeymen carry their Oklahoma license on the job and will show it on request.

### Are you BBB accredited?

Yes, since September 15, 2023, with an A+ rating.

## Service area

### Where are you based?

Broken Arrow, at 9203 S 241st E Ave. It is our office; every job is done at your home or business.

### Which cities do you serve?

Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Glenpool, Collinsville, Coweta, Wagoner, Claremore, Catoosa, Verdigris and Muskogee.

### Do you do commercial work?

Yes, light commercial: shops, offices, small retail and landlords with rental properties. It is about one job in ten.

### Do you wire brand-new homes?

No. We focus on service, repairs, upgrades and remodel electrical in existing homes and buildings.

## Contact

- Hot Shot Electric Service Co., 9203 S 241st E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74014
- Phone: (918) 261-8024
- Email: johnbrown@hotshotelectrical.com
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Request service: https://hotshotelectrical.com/contact-us/