When something goes wrong with your electrical system, the problem is rarely obvious. A dead outlet could be a tripped breaker, a bad connection, a damaged wire inside the wall, or a faulty device upstream on the same circuit. Flickering lights could indicate a loose neutral, an overloaded circuit, or a failing connection at the panel. Finding the actual cause requires systematic diagnostic work, not guesswork -- and fixing the wrong thing wastes your time and money while the real problem gets worse.
Unity Power & Light provides electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics throughout Aiken, SC and the surrounding area. We use professional diagnostic equipment and methodical fault-finding techniques to identify the root cause of your electrical problem, explain what we find in plain language, and fix it right the first time. Whether the issue is a single dead outlet or a building-wide intermittent fault, we have the tools and experience to track it down.
What We Diagnose
We troubleshoot every type of electrical problem in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Dead Outlets & Circuits
An outlet that stops working could have a tripped GFCI upstream, a loose wire nut in a junction box, a tripped or failed breaker, or damaged wiring. We trace the circuit from the panel to the device, testing each connection point until we find the failure.
Flickering & Dimming Lights
Lights that flicker or dim can indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, voltage fluctuations from the utility, or a failing neutral conductor. We measure voltage under load at multiple points to isolate where the drop occurs and identify the cause.
Tripping Breakers & GFCI Faults
A breaker that trips repeatedly is protecting you from an overload, short circuit, or ground fault. We measure circuit loads, test for insulation breakdown, and inspect wiring to determine why the protective device is operating and correct the underlying issue.
Circuit Tracing & Mapping
In older homes and buildings where circuits are unlabeled or mislabeled, we use electronic circuit tracers to map every circuit from panel to device. Accurate circuit maps are essential for safe renovation work, troubleshooting, and panel scheduling.
Thermal Imaging Inspections
Infrared thermal imaging cameras detect hot spots in your electrical system that are invisible to the naked eye. Overheating connections, overloaded wires, and failing breakers show up as thermal anomalies before they cause failures or fires. We use thermal imaging as both a diagnostic and preventive tool.
Intermittent & Phantom Problems
The hardest electrical problems to solve are those that come and go. Loose connections that only fail when the temperature changes, wiring damaged by rodents inside a wall, or failing components that work sometimes and fail others. We use data logging and systematic testing to catch faults that do not show up on demand.
Our Diagnostic Process
Listen & Gather Information
We start by listening to your description of the problem -- when it started, how often it occurs, what conditions trigger it, and what has changed recently. Your observations are valuable diagnostic data. We also review any previous work done on the system and check the panel for obvious issues.
Test & Measure
Using digital multimeters, clamp meters, circuit tracers, insulation testers, and thermal imaging cameras, we take precise measurements at the panel, junction boxes, and devices. We test voltage, amperage, resistance, and insulation integrity to build a clear picture of what is happening electrically.
Isolate the Fault
Based on our measurements, we narrow down the problem to a specific circuit, connection, device, or section of wiring. For intermittent faults, we may stress-test the circuit under load or monitor it over time to reproduce the failure. We do not stop until we find the root cause.
Explain, Repair & Verify
We explain exactly what we found, what caused the problem, and what it takes to fix it properly. After you approve the repair, we complete the work and verify the fix with the same instruments we used to diagnose the issue. We confirm the problem is resolved before we leave.
Why Professional Diagnostics Matter
Electrical troubleshooting requires both the right tools and the right knowledge. Here is why professional diagnostics are worth the investment.
Find the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptom
Replacing a tripped breaker does not fix the short circuit that caused it to trip. Replacing a dead outlet does not fix the loose connection three junction boxes upstream that killed the power. Professional troubleshooting identifies and corrects the root cause so the problem does not come back next week.
Professional Diagnostic Equipment
We carry digital multimeters, insulation resistance testers, circuit tracers, non-contact voltage detectors, clamp-on ammeters, and infrared thermal imaging cameras. This equipment allows us to test components without disassembling your entire electrical system and find problems that are invisible to basic testing.
Safety During Diagnosis
Troubleshooting a faulty electrical system means working with live circuits to take measurements and observe behavior under load. This requires training, proper PPE, and strict adherence to safety procedures. An untrained person probing a live panel risks electrocution, arc flash burns, or causing additional damage.
Prevent Future Problems
During troubleshooting, we often discover related issues that have not yet caused symptoms -- corroded connections, undersized wiring, missing grounding, or overloaded circuits. We document everything we find and recommend corrections before small issues become expensive emergencies.
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics Pricing
Unity Power & Light charges a flat diagnostic fee for troubleshooting visits. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward the total repair cost.
The complexity of the diagnosis depends on the nature of the problem, the age and condition of your wiring, and how accessible the circuits are. We always explain what we find and provide a clear repair estimate before proceeding with any additional work.
For tips on handling electrical problems, read our blog post: Power Outage Preparation in Aiken, SC
Why Choose Unity Power & Light
We offer a full range of residential electrical services and commercial electrical services so once we diagnose the problem, we can fix it on the spot in most cases.
Have an Electrical Problem?
Serving Aiken, SC and surrounding communities including North Augusta, Graniteville, New Ellenton, Jackson, and Clearwater. Get your flat-rate diagnostic today.