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With AC wiring, which is the kind most likely you’ll find at home, the black wire is “hot,” and the white is “neutral.” The bare or green wire is considered the safety ground wire. If you encounter DC wiring, it’s relatively easy to tell positive or negative wires apart. red wires are used to indicate positive voltage and black wires indicate negative voltage.

Yes, an electrical fire can start even if nothing is plugged into an outlet. While a correctly functioning outlet poses no risk, a fire can be caused by faulty wiring, damaged outlet components, an overloaded circuit, or other electrical problems hidden behind the walls. If you suspect a fault, immediately turn off the circuit breaker and contact a professional electrician to diagnose and repair the issue.

There are a few signs of a faulty or failing dimmer switch. This includes your dimmer overheating or feeling warm to the touch, buzzing or clicking noises coming from the dimmer, your dimmer failing to properly dim the lights, and flickering lights. That said, these signs could signal other electrical issues. You’ll need a pro to figure out if your dimmer is the source.

Yes, electricians must be licensed, certified, and in most cases, insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and local municipality, but most U.S. municipalities require electricians to hold an electrical contractor’s license. It's always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. Even if licensing is not required in your area, hiring a licensed and experienced electrician often leads to a better end result.

A license is a legal requirement to operate a business and is necessary for pulling project permits. Certifications, on the other hand, are typically voluntary and demonstrate a certain level of expertise. In some cases, a certified electrician may send an apprentice or journeyman to perform the work, but they must operate under a primary electrician who holds the proper license.

Before hiring, you should verify the electrician's license, insurance coverage, and any third-party certifications. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing search to confirm a pro's license status. Additionally, businesses with the “Angi Approved” badge on our platform meet strict criteria, including having the required state and local licenses, passing a background check, and maintaining a high average rating.