North American bathroom electrical outlet with ground fault interrupter (GFI) light on.

Outlet Repair & Installation Calgary

If you’re experiencing an electrical shock, spark, or other electrical issues when you plug something into your outlet, it’s likely in need of repair. Considering how often you plug and unplug appliances or other electronic devices every day, it’s no surprise that the outlets and switches will eventually wear out.

The outlets in your home are components of your electrical system that you’re in contact with on a daily basis, and it’s important to ensure they’re in good working condition. Another factor to consider is whether you have copper wiring or aluminum wiring. Copper wiring has a much higher tensile strength than aluminum wiring, which means it’s less likely to break down over time.
Sun Electrical provides a wide range of aluminum wiring services in Calgary, AB and surrounding areas. Our experienced electricians in Airdrie and Calgary will get to you in a timely manner and be able to determine if you have an electrical outlet in need of repair or replacement.

Sun Electrical provides outlet repair and installation and service in Calgary, AB, and surrounding areas.

Call 403-214-8888 Request A Quote For Outlet Repair and Installation

How Long Do Outlets Last?

How Long Do Outlets Last?

How long an electrical outlet will last will vary depending on the frequency of use for any particular outlet. The more you plug and unplug devices into one particular outlet, the faster it will wear down. Even if your old outlets are still working, you need to consider if they’re outdated in terms of electrical capacity or safety features, such as surge protection.

Standard outlets that are used frequently will last up to 15 years (but may fail as soon as 5 years). If they’re rarely used, they could potentially last up to 30 years. GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupters) can last 15-25 years, but they should still be regularly tested for complete safety.

Signs You Need to Replace Your Outlet

Unfortunately, many Calgary homeowners overlook maintenance for electrical outlets and switches. Because they’re part of your home’s electrical system you use daily, and it might not be obvious that an outlet or switch is in need of repair or replacement until it no longer works at all. Some signs your outlet is in need of electrical repairs can include:

  1. The outlet doesn’t work
    • If your home has one or more outlets that have stopped working (or maybe they’ve never worked), it could be a sign or symptom of a larger electrical issue. Have it checked out by a professional
  2. Your plugs are loose or fall out
    • Outlets can get pushed too deeply into the wall with heavy use, and this may result in a wobbly or loose connection when you go to plug in a device. This can become an issue if the flow of electricity becomes interrupted and creates an electric arc, which might put your home at risk for a fire.
  3. Heated or burnt plastic
    • Is your outlet hot to the touch? If your outlet has scorch marks, discoloration, or melted areas, these are warning signs of a potential spark or short-circuit due to moisture leakage. Never use burnt outlets! Call for emergency electrical repairs instead.
  4. Damaged faceplates
    • Faceplates are there not only to improve the aesthetics of your home but to prevent dust, pet hair, and other flammable materials from getting inside your outlet. A cracked or damaged faceplate can’t keep that debris out and poses hazards to the outlet itself.
  5. Flickering lights
    • If you’re in an older home, your electrical system just might not be strong enough to deal with today’s power demands. Flickering lighting is rarely caused by the lightbulbs themselves, but rather are signs of an underpowered electrical system. Check with a reliable electrician if you aren’t sure about whether to you’ll need to replace the outlet or the entire electrical panel.

It’s a good habit to check your home’s circuit breakers in case a switch got tripped, but if the problem persists, you should get in touch with a professional electrician.

Types of Outlet for Installation

If you’re already going to be replacing your outlets, there are plenty of options that can make your Calgary home or business safer and more convenient. Here are a few ki

nds of outlets you can look into to get the most out of your residential or commercial property.

  1. GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)
    • If you’re in an older home, there might be safety concerns with your electrical system. If some of your outlets are two-pronged rather than three-pronged, it’s likely that your home isn’t grounded. GFCI outlets will need to be installed throughout your home. A GFCI outlet protects you from shock or even an electrical fire by monitoring the currents running through your home.
  2. USB
    • This type of outlet helps you cut down on clutter by removing the need for a mobile charger. You can plug your phone directly into the wall without messing around with bulky phone or laptop chargers.
  3. Smart
    • These special outlets allow you to control devices remotely by allowing devices plugged into them to act as a smart device. They can also act as network repeaters, expanding the range of your smart hub.
  4. Nightlight
    • Instead of getting a separate night light that plugs in and takes over an outlet space, you can install faceplate that doubles as a nightlight!
  5. AFCIs (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters)
    • These are designed for pre-2000 homes to prevent electrical arc flash. The extreme heat of arc flashes are a serious fire hazard.
  6. TRR (Tamper Resistant Receptables)
    • Designed to look and function like traditional outlets, TRRs have built-in shutters that block foreign objects (such as a fork or paperclip) from being inserted. The shutters only open when equal pressure is applied to both holes, making it much harder for a child to accidentally shock themselves.
  7. Higher Capacity Outlets
    • Most home outlets are rated for 15 amps (15A). In the kitchen, 20 amps (20A) is the standard due to the high power draw of many appliances found there. Upgrading to 20 amps is a rather complex process due to the fact that wiring must be replaced in addition to the outlet.

Trust Sun Electrical with your Outlet Repair & Installation

If you need outlet repair, Calgary-based Sun Electrical’s team can get your home fixed up. We serve the city of Calgary, AB and the surrounding area, including Cochrane, Airdrie, Strathmore, Okotoks, and High River.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Sun Electrical is a family-owned and operated business with a wide range of electrical services offered. We treat our customers like family; in our books, you’re a name, not a number. We back all of our repairs and installations with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If the system doesn’t work as designed, we’ll do any repairs or replacements for free.

At Sun Electrical, your consultant is always a certified journeyperson electrician who runs tests, reads the results, and provides options right on the spot. We provide complete upfront pricing quotes in advance, same-day service for most types of jobs, as well as 24/7 emergency service.

From wiring a new light switch to installing new electrical systems, our fully qualified electricians can handle any electrical project from start to finish. Make Sun Electrical your Calgary electrician today, and see why you simply won’t find better electrical services anywhere else!

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