CHASE ELECTRIC
Electrical Repair in Windham and Southern Maine
When an outlet stops working, a breaker keeps tripping, or you smell something burning at the panel, you do not need a sales pitch. You need a master electrician who can show up, find the actual problem, and fix it. Chase Electric handles electrical repair and troubleshooting calls across Windham, Portland, and Southern Maine. Most repair calls are resolved in a single visit, and for active problems (burning smell, partial power loss, arcing) we try to get someone out same-day or next-day.
Outlets that have stopped working
Circuit breakers that trip every time you use a specific appliance
Flickering or dimming lights
GFCI outlets that will not reset
Switches that arc, buzz, or feel warm
Burning smells coming from a panel, outlet, or switch
Partial power loss in part of the house
Ceiling fan, light fixture, or appliance circuits that have gone dead
Code corrections for home inspections or insurance requirements
Common Repairs We Handle
How We Troubleshoot
Electrical troubleshooting is a process of elimination. We start with what you have observed, then test the circuit from the panel outward. That means checking the breaker, the wire run, every device on the circuit (outlets, switches, fixtures), and any junction boxes that might be carrying a loose connection. Loose connections are the cause of most residential electrical problems, and they are also the cause of most electrical fires. The fix is almost always faster than the diagnosis, but the diagnosis is where the value is. We explain what we found, why it failed, and what we did to fix it, in plain English.
When to Call Right Away
Some electrical problems are inconveniences. Some are house fires waiting to happen. Call us immediately, and do not wait, if you experience:
✓ A burning smell near a panel, outlet, switch, or fixture
✓ Visible scorch marks at a panel, outlet, or switch
✓ A panel, outlet, or switch that feels hot to the touch
✓ Audible arcing, buzzing, or popping at any electrical device
✓ Sparks when plugging in or unplugging an appliance
✓ Smoke from any electrical fixture
If you see active sparks, smoke, or flame, kill power at the main breaker if you can safely reach it, and call 911 first. Then call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
1
A breaker trips because it is doing its job: protecting the wire behind it from overheating. The three usual causes are an overloaded circuit (too many appliances on one breaker), a short circuit (a hot wire touching a neutral or ground somewhere), or a ground fault (a hot wire touching something it should not, like a damp surface or a metal box). If the breaker trips immediately every time you reset it, the problem is a short or a ground fault and you should not keep resetting it.
Why is my outlet not working?
2
Most often it is a tripped GFCI somewhere else on the circuit. Many homes have one or two GFCI outlets that protect a series of regular outlets downstream, and when the GFCI trips, every outlet after it goes dead. Check every GFCI in the bathroom, kitchen, garage, and exterior and reset any that show a tripped indicator. If that does not fix it, the next most common cause is a loose wire at the outlet itself, which requires opening the box and is best handled by an electrician.
What causes flickering lights?
3
Three common causes. First, a loose connection at the bulb, the fixture, the switch, or the panel breaker, in roughly that order of likelihood. Second, an undersized circuit where a large appliance (AC, well pump) is dimming nearby lights when it starts. Third, a problem at the utility service, which usually affects multiple circuits and is for CMP to fix. We can diagnose which one in a single visit.
How soon can you come out?
4
For non-emergency repair work, typically within one to two weeks. For active electrical problems (burning smell, partial power loss, arcing) we prioritize and try to get someone out same-day or next-day.
How much does electrical repair cost?
5
Most residential repair calls run $150 to $400 including the trip, diagnosis, and the fix, depending on the complexity and any parts needed. Bigger jobs (re-running a damaged circuit, replacing a faulty subpanel) are quoted after diagnosis.
Ready for a quote?
Texting is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reach us. Text or call (207) 239-2231 or email ChaseElectric207@gmail.com to get started. Chase Electric proudly serves Windham, Portland, and all of Southern Maine.