Find the Problem and Fix It Correctly

Arc Electric Inc diagnoses and repairs electrical issues including outlets not working, lights out, and breakers that trip repeatedly in Butte, Montana.

When you flip a breaker back on and it trips again immediately, or when half your kitchen outlets stop working without any obvious cause, the issue usually traces back to a loose connection, a failing breaker, or a short circuit hidden somewhere in the wall. Homes and businesses in Butte with older wiring face additional complications when multiple repairs have been made over the years without consistent labeling or documentation.

Arc Electric Inc provides troubleshooting and electrical repairs for homes and businesses throughout Butte. The work includes diagnosing outlets not working, lights that will not turn on, partial power loss, and breakers that trip under normal use. Rather than resetting the breaker and hoping the problem does not return, your electrician identifies the root cause, explains what failed and why, and makes the repair needed to restore normal operation.

Schedule residential electrical service with a licensed local electrician in Butte to diagnose electrical problems, repair faulty circuits, or replace breakers and outlets that are no longer functioning correctly.

How Electrical Troubleshooting is Performed

Your electrician will start by asking when the problem began, what was happening when it started, and whether any recent changes were made to the electrical system. Testing begins at the panel with a voltage check to confirm power is reaching the breaker, then moves downstream through the circuit testing each outlet, switch, and junction box until the fault is located.

After the repair is complete, your outlets will work reliably, your lights will turn on without flickering or delay, and your breakers will stay on under normal loads. If the issue involved a failing breaker, you will notice that the new breaker does not feel hot to the touch and does not trip when you plug in appliances or turn on lights.

The electrician will also explain what caused the failure, whether other circuits are at risk, and what signs to watch for that might indicate similar problems elsewhere in your home or building. If the troubleshooting process reveals outdated wiring, undersized circuits, or other code violations, you will receive recommendations for repairs or upgrades that should be addressed to prevent future issues.

Questions Homeowners Ask Before Calling

Homeowners often want to know how long troubleshooting takes, what tools are used to locate faults, and whether resetting the breaker repeatedly can cause additional damage.

What causes outlets to stop working suddenly?
Outlets stop working when a connection loosens, a wire breaks, a GFCI outlet upstream trips, or a breaker fails. Your electrician will test voltage at each outlet, trace the circuit back to the panel, and repair or replace any components that are not functioning correctly.
Why does my breaker trip only sometimes?
Breakers that trip intermittently are usually responding to a loose connection that arcs under load, a worn breaker that trips below its rated capacity, or a circuit that is marginally overloaded depending on what else is running. Your electrician will measure the load on the circuit and test connections to determine which condition is causing the trips.
How do you find a short circuit in a wall?
Short circuits are located by isolating sections of the circuit, testing for continuity between hot and neutral or ground, and using a thermal camera or voltage tester to identify where the fault occurs. Once located, the damaged wire is repaired or replaced and the circuit is retested before power is restored.
What does partial power loss mean?
Partial power loss usually means one leg of your split-phase service has failed, often due to a loose connection at the meter base, service panel, or utility transformer. Half your breakers will have power while the other half do not, and your electrician will test voltage at the panel and coordinate with the utility if the issue is upstream of your meter.
When should I call an electrician instead of resetting the breaker?
You should call an electrician if the breaker trips more than once, if you smell burning plastic or see scorch marks on outlets or switches, or if lights dim or flicker when appliances start. Repeatedly resetting a breaker that trips under load can overheat connections and increase the risk of fire.

Arc Electric Inc responds to service calls throughout Butte and the surrounding area for homes and businesses experiencing electrical failures, intermittent problems, or breakers that trip without an obvious cause. If your outlets have stopped working, your lights will not turn on, or your breakers trip every time you plug in a specific appliance, contact us to schedule troubleshooting and receive a straightforward explanation of what failed and what it will take to fix it correctly.