Arnold Electrical Company handles residential and commercial electrical work throughout Arnold and Jefferson County, Missouri. Whether the job is a tripped breaker, a panel that can no longer keep up with the load, or a full wiring project on a remodel, we cover it. We work on homes, rental properties, retail spaces, and offices, and we are available every day from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM to take your call. Real answers. Real pricing. Real fast response. Call now and we'll set the appointment.
Most homeowners can't tell a minor wiring issue from a serious one, and that uncertainty is exactly why a call makes sense before the problem grows. Flickering lights, dead outlets, breakers that trip repeatedly, a warm outlet cover, a faint burning smell from the panel - each of these symptoms points to something that needs a closer look. Some are straightforward fixes. Others are early warnings of a wiring fault that, left alone, can turn into a fire hazard.
We start with diagnostics. The fault is traced before anything is replaced, so you know what you are actually paying to fix and why. That approach saves time and keeps the scope of work honest.
GFCI and AFCI protection come up often during troubleshooting calls. A GFCI outlet that keeps tripping may be doing its job correctly, or it may be wired incorrectly. An arc-fault breaker that trips without an obvious cause can indicate damaged wire insulation somewhere in the circuit. We sort those out as part of the diagnostic process. We're ready to get your circuits working again.
Wiring a home right takes the right tools and a careful hand, and the same is true when the panel itself is the problem. Older homes in Jefferson County were often built with 100-amp service, which made sense at the time. With electric dryers, dishwashers, multiple refrigerators, home offices, and EV chargers all drawing from the same panel, that original capacity runs short fast.
A panel upgrade starts with a load calculation to understand what the home actually needs. From there, we handle the panel replacement, service-entrance work, and any circuit adjustments required to bring things up to current code. If you are asking whether a repair to the existing panel makes sense or whether a full replacement is the right move, you will get a plain answer on repair versus upgrade when you call - no pressure, just the honest picture.
Subpanel installation is also an option when a detached garage, a workshop, or a finished basement needs its own circuits without running everything back to the main panel. Call us and the rest is handled.
A flickering light and a full rewire start the same way - someone notices something is not right and picks up the phone. We handle everything between those two ends of the spectrum.
Outlet work includes replacing two-prong ungrounded outlets with properly grounded three-prong receptacles, installing GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior locations, and adding USB outlets where they are useful. Switch work covers standard replacements, dimmer installation, and three-way switch wiring for stairways and hallways.
Two-prong outlets in an older home are a sign the wiring deserves a look. In many cases, the absence of a ground wire is part of a broader picture that includes aging insulation or wiring methods that were standard decades ago but are no longer considered adequate. Knob-and-tube wiring and aluminum branch-circuit wiring both fall into that category. We handle knob-and-tube replacement and aluminum wiring remediation for older Arnold homes, and we do it with code-compliant wiring on every job. Call us and the rest is handled.
Seeing flickering lights or a warm outlet? Those are reasons to call. But a lot of the lighting work we do is straightforward installation rather than a repair - and it still makes a real difference in how a home or business looks and functions.
We install recessed lighting, LED fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, and dimmer-compatible fixtures throughout the home. Ceiling fan installation and replacement is a common request, especially in rooms that need both light and airflow. If the existing wiring in the ceiling box is not rated for a fan, we handle that as part of the job.
Outdoor lighting is another regular part of our work. Security lights, motion-sensor floodlights, landscape lighting, and weatherproof exterior outlets all fall within what we do. Good exterior lighting adds visibility around the property and is a practical upgrade for any home or commercial space.
Some appliances need their own circuit. A refrigerator, a chest freezer, a microwave, a dishwasher, an electric range, a dryer - each of these draws enough current that sharing a circuit with other loads leads to nuisance tripping at best and a genuine hazard at worst. A dedicated circuit means one breaker, one circuit, one appliance.
Electric dryers and ranges require 240-volt outlets, which means a two-pole breaker and the correct wire gauge run to the right location. We handle the full installation from the panel to the outlet. Adding circuits sometimes surfaces a panel capacity question - if the existing panel does not have room for additional breakers, that conversation happens before any work is scheduled.
We show up ready to wire, with the job scoped on the call so there are no gaps once work begins. Call us and the rest is handled.
Missouri's four-season climate puts real demands on a home's electrical system. Heating loads in winter, cooling loads in summer, and a storm season that brings severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and the occasional ice storm all factor into what makes sense to have in place. The following three services come up regularly in Arnold and throughout Jefferson County for exactly those reasons.
Older homes in Jefferson County were not built for today's electrical loads. A panel that was adequate for a 1970s household often struggles with the combination of central air conditioning circuits, electric appliances, and home charging equipment that is common now. We assess the existing panel, run a load calculation, and install a new panel sized for current and anticipated demand. The work includes bringing the service up to current code, which matters when a home is being sold or when an insurance carrier asks for documentation.
Power outages in Arnold are not rare. Severe thunderstorms and ice storms can knock out grid power for hours or longer, and a generator that is not properly wired is a hazard to the people working to restore that power. We install transfer switches and handle all the wiring between the generator and the panel, whether you are connecting a portable generator or wiring in a standby unit. The transfer switch isolates your home from the grid during an outage so the generator runs safely. Call for a quote and we will walk through what the installation involves for your setup.
A power strip with surge protection covers the devices plugged into it. A whole-home surge protector, mounted at the main panel, covers every circuit in the house - appliances, HVAC equipment, electronics, and anything else connected to the system. Missouri's storm season brings lightning strikes and utility switching events that send voltage spikes down the line. A device at the panel catches those spikes before they reach the equipment. Installation is straightforward and the protection it provides is significantly broader than what a strip can offer.
Level 2 EV charger installation is one of the faster-growing requests we handle. A Level 2 charger runs on a 240-volt dedicated circuit, which means the job involves a panel capacity check, the right wire run to the garage or driveway location, and the outlet or hardwired connection the charger requires. We confirm what the panel can support before anything is scheduled, so there are no gaps in the plan.
On the commercial side, we work with offices, retail spaces, and new businesses getting their electrical in order. Rental property owners and landlords call us for repairs, panel work, outlet and lighting upgrades, and code work that comes up between tenants or during inspections. Commercial work follows the same approach as residential - the scope is confirmed on the call, and the work is done to the standards the local code inspectors enforce.
If you are not sure what you have, an electrical safety inspection is the right starting point. We go through the panel, the visible wiring, the outlets, and the grounding to give you a clear picture of the system's condition. That matters for homeowners buying an older property, landlords preparing a unit for occupancy, and anyone who has noticed something unusual and wants to understand whether it is a concern.
Code violation repairs and permit work are part of what we handle. Older homes in the Arnold area sometimes have wiring that was acceptable under previous codes but does not meet current standards. We document what needs to change and handle the corrections.
Electrical work covers a wide range of jobs, and the cost varies with the scope. When you call, you get a price before anything is scheduled, and you are told what it covers. There is no need to guess at an hourly rate or wonder what a panel upgrade or outlet installation will run - ask on the call and you get a straight answer.
Pick up the phone. Get a straight answer. That is how we work.
We're ready to get your circuits working again.
We serve Arnold and the communities throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding area. If you are nearby, we are likely already working in your area.
Towns we serve include Festus, Crystal City, Barnhart, Herculaneum, Imperial, Byrnes Mill, De Soto, and Hillsboro, along with the broader Jefferson County region.
Breakers that trip frequently under normal loads, breakers that will not reset, a panel that feels warm to the touch, a burning or plastic smell near the panel, and visible corrosion or scorching inside the enclosure are all signs the panel needs attention. Older panels that have been patched or that are running at or near their rated capacity on a regular basis are also worth having assessed.
Call (636) 746-4995 and describe what you are seeing, and we will scope the visit on the call.
A burning smell near an outlet usually indicates heat from a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or an outlet that is failing. Near the panel, it can indicate the same problems at a larger scale, including a breaker that is running hot or wiring that is arcing inside the enclosure. Either situation is worth treating as urgent.
Do not continue using the outlet or circuit, and call us at (636) 746-4995 right away.
Flickering on a single fixture usually points to a loose connection at that fixture or switch. Flickering across multiple fixtures on the same circuit, or lights that dim when a large appliance starts up, typically points further back in the system, to a circuit that is overloaded, a failing breaker, or a problem at the panel. The diagnostic starts at the symptom and works back through the circuit to find where the fault actually lives.
Two-prong ungrounded outlets, frequently tripping breakers, lights that flicker without a clear cause, discolored outlet covers, and a fuse box rather than a breaker panel are all indicators that the wiring deserves a closer look. Homes in Arnold with knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch-circuit wiring present specific risks that go beyond what a single outlet replacement can address. An electrical safety inspection is the right starting point when the wiring history is unknown.
The visit starts with a visual inspection at the symptom, then works back through the circuit. That includes checking connections at the outlet, switch, or fixture, testing the circuit for load and continuity, and tracing the wiring back to the breaker if the fault is not at the device. Grounding, bonding, and GFCI or AFCI protection are checked where they are relevant to the fault.
When wiring runs inside finished walls or through areas with limited access, finding the fault takes more time and sometimes requires opening the wall. Older wiring materials, like cloth-sheathed cable or aluminum branch-circuit wiring, also require more care at every connection point because the material behaves differently than modern copper wiring. That added scope is explained before any additional work is done.
A spot repair makes sense when the fault is isolated and the rest of the wiring is in good condition. When the wiring throughout a section of the home is the same age and material, when knob-and-tube or aluminum branch-circuit wiring is present across multiple circuits, or when a repair would connect new work to wiring that cannot safely carry the load, a partial or full rewire is the more appropriate path. We assess what is there before making that recommendation.
The process starts with confirming the scope: which circuits are involved, what the new panel needs to carry, and what access the wiring runs require. For a panel replacement, the work includes removing the old equipment, installing the new panel, and reconnecting the circuits to current code. For a rewiring project, circuit mapping comes first so the scope is clear before any walls are opened. The price is confirmed before work begins.
An undersized or aging panel limits what the home can safely run at once. Breakers that trip under normal loads, circuits that cannot support added appliances, and a panel that lacks room for new breakers all constrain what the home can do. In older homes with fuse boxes, the risks are compounded by the fact that fuses can be replaced with the wrong size, which removes the protection the fuse is supposed to provide.
An outlet that does not power a device, that feels warm to the touch, or that has discoloration around the cover plate is showing signs of a wiring problem at that location. Warmth and discoloration usually indicate heat from a loose connection or an outlet that has been running near or beyond its rated load. Stop using the outlet and call us to have it diagnosed before it is used again.
The panel needs to be clear and accessible from the front. If the work involves outlets, switches, or fixtures in specific rooms, those areas should be clear enough to work safely. For attic or crawl space wiring, access points need to be reachable. Letting us know about any access limitations when you schedule helps avoid delays on the day of the visit.
Yes. Keeping children and pets out of the work area is the safest approach for everyone involved. Electrical work involves open panels, exposed wiring, and tools that are not safe to be around without knowing what is happening. If the work is in a common area of the home, plan for a way to keep the space clear during the visit.
Do not use the affected outlet, switch, or circuit. If the panel is accessible and you can safely reach the main breaker, turning it off removes the immediate hazard. Do not attempt to reset a breaker that will not stay on, and do not open the panel yourself.
Call (636) 746-4995 and describe what you are seeing so the visit can be scoped before anyone arrives.
Arnold Electrical Company handles the full range of electrical work for homes and businesses in Arnold: repairs and troubleshooting, panel upgrades, outlet and switch work, wiring and rewiring, lighting, ceiling fans, dedicated circuits, EV charger installation, backup generator hookups, surge protection, and safety inspections. We are available every day from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
Power restored. Code-compliant. Done right.
Call (636) 746-4995 for a quote.
Electrical work covers a wide range of jobs, and knowing what each service involves helps you call with confidence. The table below lays out what we handle, who each service fits best, and a practical note to keep in mind.
Call (636) 746-4995 to talk through what you are seeing and get a price before anything is scheduled.
| Service | What's Included | When You Need It | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backup Generator Installation | Transfer switch installation, Generator-to-panel wiring, Portable and standby hookup, Grid isolation for safe operation | Arnold homes that lose power during storms and ice events | A generator wired without a proper transfer switch is a hazard to utility workers restoring power. The transfer switch is not optional. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | 240-volt outlet installation, Single-circuit runs for major appliances, Panel capacity check, Dryer, range, and refrigerator circuits | Anyone adding a high-draw appliance that cannot safely share a circuit | Adding a dedicated circuit sometimes surfaces a panel capacity question. We confirm whether the panel has room before scheduling the circuit work. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | Grounded three-prong outlets, GFCI outlets in wet areas, Dimmer and three-way switches, USB outlet installation | Homeowners replacing two-prong outlets or adding convenience receptacles | Two-prong ungrounded outlets in an older home often point to a broader wiring picture worth having assessed while the work is already open. |
| Basement & Sump-Pump Circuits | Dedicated sump-pump circuit, Basement outlet installation, GFCI protection in wet areas, Circuit capacity for finished basement loads | Homeowners finishing a basement or protecting against flooding with a dedicated sump circuit | A sump pump that shares a circuit with other loads can lose power at the worst moment. A dedicated circuit removes that risk. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | New fan installation, Fan and light kit wiring, Box upgrade for fan-rated support, Replacement of existing fans | Rooms that need both light and airflow, or where an existing fan has failed | If the ceiling box is not rated to support a fan's weight and movement, we replace it as part of the installation rather than leaving it as a risk. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | Knob-and-tube replacement, Aluminum branch-circuit remediation, Partial or full rewire, Grounding and bonding updates | Owners of older Arnold homes with original or outdated wiring materials | Aluminum branch-circuit wiring requires specific connection methods at every device. A standard outlet replacement is not enough to address the risk. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit, 240-volt dedicated run, Panel capacity check, Garage or driveway outlet or hardwired connection | EV owners who want faster home charging than a standard outlet provides | We check panel capacity before scheduling the circuit run. If the panel needs room first, that conversation happens up front rather than on the day of installation. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Panel and wiring review, Outlet and grounding check, GFCI and AFCI assessment, Written findings summary | Home buyers, landlords, and anyone unsure of the condition of their wiring | An inspection is the right starting point when the wiring history is unknown. It gives you a clear picture before you commit to a repair or purchase. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | Fault diagnosis, Dead outlets and breakers, GFCI and AFCI issues, Burning smell or warm cover plates | Any home or business with an unexplained electrical symptom | The fault is traced before anything is replaced, so the scope stays honest and you know exactly what you are paying to fix. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Panel-mounted surge device, Full-house circuit coverage, Protection from lightning and utility switching, Appliance and electronics protection | Homeowners with sensitive electronics or who lose equipment during Missouri storm season | A power strip covers only the devices plugged into it. A panel-mounted device catches voltage spikes before they reach any circuit in the house. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | Load calculation, Panel replacement, Service-entrance work, Circuit adjustments to current code | Older homes adding EV chargers, appliances, or home office loads | A panel upgrade is often required before a home can be sold or before an insurance carrier will renew a policy on older wiring. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed and LED fixtures, Dimmer-compatible lighting, Outdoor and security lighting, Under-cabinet and landscape lighting | Homeowners upgrading interior lighting or adding exterior security lighting | Outdoor fixtures in Missouri need weatherproof-rated housings. We confirm the right rating for the location before anything goes in. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | Breaker that trips or won't reset, Fuse box assessment, Breaker replacement, Panel interior inspection | Homes where a circuit keeps going out under normal loads | A breaker that trips repeatedly under normal use is telling you something. Resetting it without diagnosing the cause does not fix the underlying problem. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | New circuit runs, Wiring for additions and remodels, Circuit mapping, Code-compliant rough-in and finish wiring | Remodels, additions, or any project that needs new circuits run from the panel | Wiring inside finished walls takes more time than open-stud work. We scope the access situation on the call so the job is planned correctly before we arrive. |
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly?
A breaker trips when the current on a circuit exceeds what the breaker is rated to carry. The most common causes are a circuit that is overloaded with too many devices, a single appliance drawing more current than the circuit can handle, a wiring fault somewhere along the run, or a breaker that has weakened and trips below its rated threshold. Resetting it without finding the cause does not fix the problem. We trace the fault before recommending a repair so you know what is actually happening.
How do I know if my home is ready for added electrical load?
The starting point is a load calculation that adds up what the panel is already carrying and compares it to the panel's rated capacity. Breakers that trip under normal use, a panel with no open slots, or a service entrance rated at 100 amps in a home with multiple large appliances are all signs the system may be at or near its limit. We run that assessment before scheduling any new circuit work so the plan accounts for what the panel can actually support.
What does EV charger installation actually involve?
A Level 2 charger runs on a 240-volt dedicated circuit, which means a two-pole breaker, the correct wire gauge, and a run from the panel to the garage or driveway location where the charger will be mounted. Before any of that is scheduled, we check whether the panel has capacity for the additional load. If it does not, a panel upgrade comes first. The charger itself can be hardwired or connected through a 240-volt outlet depending on the unit and the preference.
Faults Traced Before Anything Is Replaced
We diagnose before we quote a repair. That means you know what the actual problem is and what fixing it involves before any work is authorized.
What is involved in a backup generator hookup?
The core of the installation is a transfer switch, which isolates your home from the utility grid when the generator is running. Without it, power fed back through the meter is a hazard to anyone working to restore grid power. We handle the transfer switch installation and all the wiring between the generator and the panel, whether you are connecting a portable unit or wiring in a standby generator. The scope and the price are confirmed before any work is scheduled.
Do I need to be home while the electrical work is done?
For most jobs, yes. Access to the panel is required for nearly all electrical work, and some jobs involve checking outlets or fixtures throughout the home. If the work is limited to a specific area and you have a way to provide access, we can discuss what is practical on the call. For larger jobs like a panel upgrade or a rewire, someone who can answer questions and confirm the scope should be present.
How does pricing work and when do I get a number?
You get a price on the call, before anything is scheduled. Electrical work varies in scope, so the price is based on what the job involves, which we work out by talking through what you are seeing or what you need done. There is no need to wait until someone arrives to find out what the work will cost. Ask what it covers and you get a straight answer.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Every circuit, connection, and panel installation is done to the standards local code inspectors enforce. That matters when a home is sold, inspected, or reviewed by an insurance carrier.
What are the risks of aluminum branch-circuit wiring?
Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper under load, which causes connections to loosen over time. A loose connection generates heat, and heat at a connection point is a fire risk. Homes wired with aluminum branch circuits need connections made with devices rated for aluminum, not standard copper-only devices. A standard outlet or switch replacement at an aluminum circuit is not adequate. We handle aluminum wiring remediation and use the correct connection methods at every point.
What does GFCI protection cover and where is it required?
A GFCI outlet monitors the current flowing through a circuit and trips in a fraction of a second if it detects a ground fault, which is the kind of fault that can cause a shock. They are required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, outdoor locations, and anywhere near a water source. Older homes often have these areas without GFCI protection, which is both a code issue and a safety concern. We install GFCI outlets and breakers wherever they are needed.
Older and Newer Wiring Both Handled
From knob-and-tube replacement in a 1940s bungalow to a Level 2 EV charger circuit in a newer build, we work on the full range of residential and commercial wiring in the Arnold area.
How long does a panel upgrade typically take?
Most panel upgrades are completed in a single day. The timeline depends on the size of the existing panel, the number of circuits being reconnected, whether the service entrance needs work, and whether any circuit adjustments are required to bring things up to current code. We scope the job on the call so you have a realistic picture of what the day involves before we schedule.
When should I call an electrician instead of trying to fix it myself?
Replacing a light bulb or resetting a tripped breaker is straightforward. Anything beyond that, including replacing outlets, switches, or fixtures, adding a circuit, or working inside the panel, carries real risk if the wiring is not handled correctly. A mistake inside a panel or at a connection point can cause a fire or a shock that is not immediately obvious. If you are unsure what you are looking at, a call costs nothing and gives you a clear answer on whether the job is something to handle yourself or something to schedule.
What does whole-home surge protection actually protect against?
A panel-mounted surge protector catches voltage spikes before they reach any circuit in the house. Those spikes come from lightning strikes nearby, utility switching events, and large appliances cycling on and off. Sensitive electronics, appliances with control boards, and HVAC equipment are all vulnerable to repeated low-level surges that degrade components over time even when no single event causes obvious damage. A device at the panel covers everything connected to the system, which is significantly broader coverage than a power strip provides.
Call (636) 746-4995 to talk through your electrical situation and get a price before anything is scheduled.
(636) 746-4995