You are in Phoenix. We also have a Tucson site.

You are in Phoenix. We also have a Tucson site.

You are in Phoenix. We also have a Tucson site.

Why Your Electricity Keeps Going On and Off: Arizona Homeowner’s Guide


Women stressed because the power went out

When your electricity keeps going on and off, it’s more than just frustrating; it can be dangerous. This problem affects many Arizona homeowners each year, causing damage to appliances, data loss, and even fire risks. Arizona’s extreme heat, with summer temperatures soaring above 115°F, and intense monsoon storms, puts extra stress on your home’s electrical system.

It’s important to recognize warning signs, know when you can safely check simple issues, and understand when to call a licensed electrician. Ignoring these problems can lead to costly repairs, electrical fires, and breaker trips that put your family at risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Repeated on-and-off electricity indicates serious electrical issues that require immediate attention to prevent fires and appliance damage.

  • Common causes include overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, damaged electrical panels, and Arizona’s extreme weather conditions affecting power lines.

  • You can troubleshoot simple issues like tripped breakers, but persistent problems need a professional electrician's diagnosis and repair.

  • Arizona’s high temperatures and monsoon seasons create unique electrical challenges that stress home electrical systems.

  • Professional electrical inspection and upgrades prevent costly repairs and ensure your family’s safety during Arizona’s demanding weather conditions.

What Causes Your Electricity to Flicker On and Off?

Intermittent power means your electricity turns on and off repeatedly, which can harm sensitive electronics and appliances. Unlike brief outages from utility work, this usually points to serious issues inside your home or nearby power lines.

1. High Temperatures

  • High temperatures cause wires to expand and connections to loosen, while transformers can overheat. This leads to power interruptions in your neighborhood or just your home. Your electrical panel may struggle to keep power steady when it’s hot for long stretches.

  • Power surges and voltage spikes from flickering electricity can damage computers, HVAC systems, and other electronics. This on-off pattern is risky because faulty wiring can overheat and spark fires, especially in Arizona’s dry climate.

  • If your whole house loses power repeatedly, it might be a utility company or main panel issue. But if only one room or circuit is affected, the cause is often overloaded circuits, bad wiring, or tripped breakers, which require a different approach.

Schedule an inspection today to ensure your home’s electrical system can handle Arizona’s demanding conditions safely and keep your power steady when you need it most.

2. Overloaded Circuits

In Arizona, air conditioners use a lot of power, especially on hot days.

  • Running multiple big appliances on the same circuit can overload it, causing breakers to trip and power to go off. Signs include flickering lights, warm outlets, burning smells, or frequent breaker trips.

  • Older homes may have electrical panels that aren’t built for today’s demands. Adding devices such as electric vehicle chargers or pool pumps can overload circuits, leading to frequent power interruptions.

3. Faulty Wiring

Heat can degrade wire insulation, leading to loose or exposed wires.

  • This creates sparks, burning smells, flickering lights, and tripped breakers without clear reasons. Faulty wiring is dangerous and should only be handled by professionals.

  • Damaged wiring can quickly start fires, especially in dry Arizona weather. Licensed electricians use specialized tools to find and fix wiring problems safely.

4. Electrical Panel Issues

  • Older or damaged panels may not adequately protect your home. They can fail to trip breakers when needed, increasing fire risk.

  • Signs you need a new panel include rust, burning smells, frequent breaker trips, or warm panel surfaces.

Upgrading to a modern panel helps handle Arizona’s high power needs, with improved safety features such as arc-fault and ground-fault interrupters.

5. Weather-Related Problems

  • Monsoon storms bring wind, lightning, and dust that damage power lines and equipment, causing outages.

  • High winds can loosen connections, dust can cause short circuits, and lightning can damage transformers.

Utility companies work to fix these issues, but if only your home loses power, it’s likely an internal problem.

6. GFCI and AFCI Devices

What You Can Do Safely

  1. Always be careful when checking electrical issues. Turn off the main breaker before inspecting your panel, wear rubber-soled shoes, and never touch electrical parts with wet hands.

  2. Look for tripped breakers (switches between “on” and “off” or showing red/orange). Reset by switching off and then on. If breakers trip repeatedly, stop and call a professional.

  3. Call an electrician immediately if you smell burning, see sparks, get shocks, or if breakers won’t stay on. These are severe warning signs.

When to Call a Pro

If you notice:

  • Burning smells

  • Frequent breaker trips

  • Sparks or shocks

  • Warm outlets

Don’t wait—call a licensed electrician. Arizona’s extreme weather and electrical demands require expert care to keep your home safe. A professional can inspect your system, identify hidden problems, and recommend upgrades, such as a new electrical panel that safely handles today’s power needs.

Call Parker & Sons

Don’t compromise your family’s safety or risk costly repairs. Schedule an inspection with Parker & Sons’ experienced, licensed electricians who specialize in handling Arizona’s unique electrical challenges.

Visitparkerandsons.com today to book your appointment and keep your home’s power running safely and reliably throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Arizona’s extreme heat actually damage my home’s electrical wiring?

A: Yes, sustained temperatures above 110°F can degrade wire insulation and cause connections to loosen, leading to intermittent power problems. Arizona’s extreme heat cycles cause electrical components to expand and contract, loosening electrical connections over time. Wire insulation becomes brittle in extreme heat, leading to cracks that allow electrical arcing and pose a fire hazard.

Q: Why does my electricity go out more often during monsoon season?

A: Monsoon storms bring high winds, lightning, and dust that damage power lines and utility equipment, plus increased electrical demand from air conditioning during hot, humid conditions. Lightning strikes can surge through power lines and damage transformers, while high winds knock tree branches into power lines. Dust storms coat electrical equipment with conductive debris, causing short circuits and grid failures.

Q: Should I upgrade my electrical panel if my house was built in the 1980s?

A: Most 1980s electrical panels in Arizona homes cannot handle modern electrical loads, especially with electric vehicle charging and high-efficiency HVAC systems that draw more power than older equipment. These panels typically have 100-amp service with fewer electrical circuits than current codes require. Upgrading to a 200-amp electrical panel with additional circuits prevents overload conditions and improves electrical safety.

Q: How often should I have my electrical system inspected in Arizona?

A: Arizona homeowners should schedule electrical inspections annually due to extreme weather conditions that stress electrical components more than moderate climates. Annual inspections identify loose connections, degraded wiring, and potential electrical hazards before they cause power interruptions or electrical fires. Professional electricians can detect problems that homeowners cannot see and recommend preventive measures.

Q: Is it normal for my breakers to trip more often during summer?

A: Frequent breaker trips during summer indicate your electrical system cannot handle increased air conditioning demand and requires professional evaluation. While occasional breaker trips during peak cooling loads may occur, repeated trips signal overloaded circuits, undersized electrical panels, or electrical faults that need professional diagnosis. Do not ignore frequent breaker trips because they indicate potential fire hazards and electrical system inadequacy.

If your electricity keeps going on and off, you need immediate professional assessment to protect your family’s safety and prevent costly appliance damage. Arizona’s extreme weather conditions create unique electrical challenges that require expert diagnosis and repair. Schedule an electrical inspection with Parker & Sons’ licensed electricians, who understand Arizona’s regional electrical challenges and provide comprehensive electrical services. Visit parkerandsons.com to schedule your appointment and ensure your home’s electrical system operates safely and reliably year-round.

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