5 Examples of When to DIY vs. When to Call a Professional Electrician
- Trotter Electric
- Feb 21
- 3 min read
1. Replacing Light Bulbs: DIY
Safe to Do Yourself:
Swapping out standard light bulbs is simple and low-risk. Just make sure the switch is off before you start. Just ensure the bulb matches the recommended wattage for the fixture.
2. Installing New Light Fixtures: Call a Professional
Leave It to the Pros:
Wiring a new light fixture involves working directly with your home's electrical system, which requires precision and knowledge of proper safety protocols. When connecting wires, even a small mistake—such as mismatching live and neutral wires, leaving exposed wiring, or improperly securing wire nuts—can create significant risks. Incorrect wiring can lead to electric shocks, putting you at risk of serious injury or even electrocution. Additionally, loose or improper connections may generate heat, potentially causing sparks or short circuits that could ignite surrounding materials and lead to a house fire.
Beyond the immediate dangers, improper installation might also affect the performance of your lighting, cause frequent tripping of circuit breakers, or damage the light fixture and connected appliances. To avoid these hazards, always ensure the power is turned off at the circuit breaker before beginning work, and if you're unsure about any step, it’s safer to call a professional electrician to handle the installation safely and in compliance with local electrical codes.
3. Resetting a Tripped Circuit Breaker: DIY
Safe to Do Yourself:
If a breaker trips, it’s often a sign that the circuit is overloaded or that a protective mechanism has been triggered to prevent a safety hazard. You can safely reset it by locating your electrical panel, identifying the tripped breaker (usually in a middle position between "On" and "Off"), and turning it fully off before switching it back on. This should restore power to the affected area.
However, if the breaker continues to trip repeatedly, it’s a clear indicator of an underlying issue that requires professional attention. Frequent tripping could mean an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, or a ground fault.
4. Upgrading Your Electrical Panel: Call a Professional
Leave It to the Pros:
Electrical panels, also known as breaker boxes, are the central hubs of a home’s electrical system, distributing power from the main supply to individual circuits throughout the house. These panels handle high voltage electricity, typically 120 to 240 volts, which is enough to cause severe injury or even fatal electrocution if mishandled. Incorrect wiring within the panel—such as connecting wires to the wrong breakers, failing to secure connections properly, or using the wrong gauge of wire—can lead to serious dangers. These dangers include electrical shocks, short circuits, and overloaded circuits, which increase the risk of electrical fires. Additionally, improper wiring can cause appliance damage, frequent breaker trips, or a complete loss of power to sections of the home. Given the complexity and risk involved, it’s always best to leave electrical panel work to a licensed electrician, ensuring that installations, upgrades, and repairs are done safely and in compliance with electrical codes.
5. Installing Smart Home Devices: DIY (With Caution)
Safe to Do Yourself:
Many smart plugs and light bulbs are designed for easy, do-it-yourself installation, often requiring nothing more than plugging in the device and connecting it to a smartphone app. These devices typically use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to integrate seamlessly with smart home systems like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. Most smart bulbs fit into standard light sockets and can be controlled remotely to adjust brightness, change colors, or set schedules. However, for more complex installations—such as hardwiring smart switches or integrating advanced lighting systems—it’s safer to consult a professional electrician.
Call a Professional:
If installing smart home appliances requires new wiring or electrical panel connections, it’s crucial to involve a licensed electrician to ensure the job is done safely and to code.
When it comes to electrical work, safety should always come first. While simple tasks like changing a light bulb or resetting a tripped breaker can be done safely at home, more complex projects—such as wiring, panel upgrades, or troubleshooting persistent electrical issues—should always be handled by a licensed professional. At Trotter Electric, our experienced team is here to ensure every project is completed safely, efficiently, and up to code. If you’re ever unsure whether a project is DIY-friendly or requires expert assistance, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We're here to help keep your home or business safe and powered, every step of the way!
7800 Collier St, Fort Smith, AR 72916
Trotter Electric.
