The breaker will not stay on
It resets and trips again, right away or an hour later. That difference matters, because an immediate trip and a delayed trip point at different faults.
Service
Electrical repair in Alton, IL
A breaker that will not stay on, bedroom outlets that went dead, or lights that dip when the air conditioner starts all call for diagnosis. Lights Out Electric takes troubleshooting and repair calls in Alton and the Metro East.
What does an electrical repair call in Alton cover?
Lights Out Electric takes calls about breakers that trip and stay tripped, outlets and circuits that go dead, switches and receptacles that run warm, and wiring flagged in an inspection. Justin Walker owns the company. After the problem and repair scope are assessed, he explains the repair and price before work starts.
Most of these calls start with a symptom and no name for it. That is fine. The first part of the job is finding out which circuit is involved, what is on it, and where along the run the problem sits, because the fix for an overloaded circuit and the fix for a failed splice inside a wall are not the same fix.
The work on this page centers on branch circuits: the wiring between the panel and the outlets, switches, fixtures, or equipment they serve. If testing points to the panel or incoming service, the panel and service may need a separate evaluation.
- Dead outlets, dead circuits, and dead rooms
- Breakers that trip over and over
- Damaged, spliced, or overheated wiring
- Aluminum branch-circuit connections
- New circuits and added outlets
- Remodel and new-construction wiring
Start here
The symptom is the useful part of the call
You do not need to diagnose the problem before calling. Describe what changed, what still works, and when the symptom occurs so Justin can confirm what should be checked.
Outlets went dead in one room
Part of a room, or a whole room, has no power and no breaker appears tripped. An upstream device, splice, or connection is among the possible causes.
Lights dip when the AC starts
A short dip can occur when a compressor starts. Deep dimming, dimming that lingers, or dimming across the whole house should be evaluated.
Something is warm or smells hot
A warm cover plate, a discolored outlet, or a burning smell near a panel. Shut that breaker off and call before anything else happens.
The inspection report flagged wiring
Aluminum branch circuits, open splices, double-tapped breakers, or ungrounded outlets. Read the exact note when you call so Justin can confirm what information or inspection is needed.
Half the house is out
Power remains on some circuits but is gone on others, sometimes with lights browning out. That pattern can involve the service or neutral and should be evaluated promptly.
The method
How Justin approaches electrical troubleshooting
The goal of a troubleshooting call is to test the affected circuit, identify the likely cause, and define the repair instead of replacing parts based only on the symptom.
Get the history first
What quit, what still works, what changed in the house recently, and what has been done to the circuit before. In an older Alton house, earlier alterations may be relevant, and the history helps focus the inspection.
Map the circuit
Work out what is on the breaker in question and how it is fed. Old houses rarely match their panel labels, and a circuit that runs through three rooms and a porch light is a different search than one that serves a single wall.
Test rather than assume
Voltage, load, continuity, and termination condition can help distinguish among possible faults. The exact tests depend on the circuit and symptom.
Define the repair scope
Once testing identifies the likely fault, the repair can address that condition and any related issues found within the agreed scope.
The other inspection-report word
Is aluminum wiring dangerous, and does it have to be replaced?
Safety concerns with older aluminum branch-circuit wiring commonly center on connections and terminations, and complete replacement is not the only repair approach described by safety authorities. The appropriate scope depends on the wiring present, its condition, and the repair system used.
Older single-strand aluminum branch wiring expands, contracts, and oxidizes differently than copper. Over time, loose or deteriorated connections can overheat, which is why an on-site assessment focuses on the wiring and its terminations.
The CPSC guidance focuses on connection failures and describes qualified permanent repair approaches, including a specific crimped copper-pigtail system, as well as complete replacement. An on-site assessment is needed to identify the wiring and determine which qualified approach is appropriate for the house.
Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Repairing Aluminum Wiring (CPSC 516) · InterNACHI, Inspecting Aluminum Wiring.
When it is older than that
What if the wiring in the house is knob and tube?
Knob and tube wiring is a different job from a repair call, and Lights Out Electric treats it that way. Knob and tube has no ground, its cloth insulation goes brittle, and about 27.6% of Alton's housing units were built in 1939 or earlier, so it turns up here regularly.
A repair on a knob and tube circuit usually requires evaluating the circuit as a whole. The knob and tube wiring page explains how to recognize it in a basement, whether replacement can be phased, and why you should ask your insurance carrier about its requirements.
In a pre-1940 house, original wiring is one possibility when a circuit fails. A rewire and other residential electrical work can be evaluated together when appropriate. If you are unsure what you have, describe what you can see and Justin will tell you what needs to be inspected.
Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25034 (Alton city, Illinois).
Recommendations
Two people describing this exact call
Cristian C. and Jenna S. recommend Lights Out Electric on Facebook and describe residential troubleshooting work.
I had no power in 2 of my bedrooms. I tried doing it myself but couldn't pinpoint the problem. Gave Justin a call, came out the next day and fixed the problem! Very knowledgeable about his work, definitely recommend him if you need electrical work done!
I just had Justin walker from lights out electrical Llc come out to my house to fix an electrical issue in my kids rooms. He was very professional and knowledgeable! 😊 Thank you for your help and hard-work! I definitely will be calling you again for any future electrical issues!
Common questions
Repair and troubleshooting questions
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
A breaker can trip because of an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault, or another condition that needs diagnosis. Do not keep resetting it. Lights Out Electric can test the circuit and recommend the right repair for the fault.
Half the outlets in a room stopped working. What causes that?
Common causes include an upstream GFCI, a loose receptacle connection, a failed splice, or a damaged terminal, but the pattern alone does not identify the fault. Lights Out Electric can trace and test the circuit before recommending a repair.
My lights dim when the air conditioner starts. Is that a problem?
A brief dip can occur when a compressor starts, but deep, lasting, or whole-house dimming should be evaluated. Possible causes include a loose connection, service-capacity issue, or neutral problem. Testing is needed before the cause or urgency can be determined.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous, and does it have to be replaced?
Safety concerns with older aluminum branch wiring commonly center on its connections and terminations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission describes approved permanent repair approaches, including a qualified crimped copper-pigtail system. An on-site assessment is needed to determine what wiring is present and which remedy is appropriate.
How much does an electrical repair cost in Alton?
Electrical repair pricing in Alton depends on the time needed to locate the fault and what the correction involves. After assessing the problem and scope, Justin explains the price before the repair starts.
Is one dead outlet too small a job to call about?
A single dead outlet is worth calling about. It may be an isolated device failure or a sign of an upstream circuit problem, so avoid assuming that the visible outlet is the only issue. Justin can tell you what needs to be checked and whether he can take it on.
Last updated October 14, 2026.
Something in the house is not right?
Call and describe it. Justin answers his own phone, and he will tell you what he needs to look at.
Monday to Friday, 7 to 3 Priced before the work starts 100% recommended on Facebook