Residential Electrical Experts
If you live in Bixby, you already know how fast this part of Oklahoma is growing. Neighborhoods that were open fields a few years ago are now full of homes, sprinkler systems, outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, and families who rely on their electrical systems more than ever. I am Terry Davis, a Master Electrician serving Bixby and Tulsa, and I have seen the changes in this area up close. With the growth of the community comes new electrical challenges that most homeowners never see coming until something stops working, starts flickering, or trips a breaker during the worst possible moment.
I spend a lot of time in Bixby homes every week, and I want to walk you through the electrical issues I keep running into, why they happen, and what you can do to stay ahead of them.
The Hidden Electrical Strain Created By Bixby’s Rapid Growth
The Load In New Homes Is Higher Than Builders Planned For
Bixby is one of the fastest growing communities in the Tulsa region. New subdivisions are popping up everywhere, and while the homes themselves look beautiful, I often find that the electrical infrastructure behind the walls was not designed with long term capacity in mind. Builders create homes that meet code on the day they are built, but code does not always account for what families actually plug in once they move in.
What Usually Happens
A new family moves in with multiple gaming systems, space heaters during the winter, outdoor kitchen appliances, a freezer in the garage, charging stations, and sometimes even an EV charger. All of this adds up, and I get called out because breakers are tripping, lights dim when the AC kicks on, or certain rooms lose power when too many things are running at the same time.
Why New Bixby Homes Experience Overloaded Circuits
• Many modern appliances pull far more power than older breaker designs were built for
• Circuits are often shared between rooms to save on wiring costs
• Garage circuits get overloaded quickly with freezers, tools, and gym equipment
• Builders sometimes use the smallest panel that meets minimum code to save money
If your home is only a few years old but feels like the electrical system is already struggling, you are not imagining things. Bixby’s rapid growth has put a strain on newer builds, and overloaded circuits are one of the most common problems I fix.
Storms In Bixby Are Tough On Electrical Systems
Surge Protection Is No Longer Optional In This Part Of Oklahoma
Bixby sits in a part of Oklahoma that sees strong storms, spring lightning bursts, and sudden utility grid disturbances. I have installed more surge protectors in Bixby than in almost any other nearby city, and for good reason. Homeowners here tell me the same thing every year. The power flickers, lights flash, and electronics reset or shut down completely.
What Bixby Homeowners Do Not Realize
Not all surges come from lightning. In fact, most do not. They happen when:
• Utility crews switch power
• Transformers reset
• The grid is overloaded during peak demand
• Nearby neighborhoods experience outages that ripple through the lines
Every surge that passes through a home eats away at appliances little by little. It is slow and invisible, but it eventually destroys sensitive electronics like:
• TVs
• Refrigerators
• HVAC control boards
• Pool equipment
• Computer systems
• Smart home devices
Why Surge Protectors Matter In Bixby
Whole home surge protectors give you a buffer against the unpredictable nature of Oklahoma storms. They protect your home from the kind of damage that insurance often does not cover. Many of the homes I work on in Bixby could have avoided expensive repair bills if they had surge protection installed earlier.
Outdoor Lighting And Pool Equipment Issues Are Very Common In Bixby
A Beautiful Yard Means More Electrical Problems Than You Think
Bixby homeowners take a lot of pride in their outdoor spaces. I see everything from custom patio lighting to decorative landscape lighting, backyard speakers, pergolas with outlets, and of course, plenty of pools. The downside is that outdoor electrical work in Oklahoma weather takes a beating.
The Most Common Outdoor Electrical Failures In Bixby
• Underground wires corrode faster due to moisture
• Pool pumps trip breakers because the circuit was not sized correctly
• Landscape lighting transformers fail from overheating
• GFCI outlets near patios stop working due to moisture exposure
• Outdoor receptacles lose power because of loose connections
Even if the outdoor wiring was done correctly during construction, Oklahoma’s heat, humidity, and storm seasons wear equipment down fast.
Why Pool Equipment Wiring Fails So Often
Pool systems pull a lot of power. If the circuit is even slightly undersized or the wiring has minor corrosion, the equipment overheats and shuts down. I have also seen pools wired by non electricians during construction, which leads to:
• improper grounding
• weak connections
• undervalued breakers
• unsafe wiring near water
If your pool pump shuts off randomly or trips a breaker weekly, the wiring is almost always the reason.
Older Bixby Homes Still Using 100 Amp Panels Are Running Out Of Capacity
Modern Homes Need More Power Than Older Panels Can Provide
Bixby is known for new construction, but there are plenty of older homes around the river and the original town center. Many of these houses still run on 100 amp service, which was perfectly fine decades ago. Today, it is not even close.
What Happens When A Panel Is Undersized
• The home has constant breaker trips
• The AC or furnace causes the lights to dim
• Appliances strain or overheat
• Breakers run hot
• The panel makes buzzing or humming noises
A 100 amp panel worked when families owned fewer appliances, smaller HVAC equipment, and minimal electronics. Today’s homes run:
• double ovens
• hot tubs
• tankless water heaters
• multiple refrigerators
• heavy HVAC systems
• EV chargers
This pushes a 100 amp panel beyond its safe limits.
Why Upgrading A Panel Matters In Bixby
Panel upgrades do more than increase capacity. They improve safety, reduce fire risks, and prepare the home for future growth. Every time I replace a 100 amp panel in Bixby with a modern 200 amp system, homeowners tell me:
• the lights stop flickering
• breakers never trip anymore
• their HVAC runs smoother
• their home feels “stronger electrically”
That is exactly what a panel upgrade is supposed to do.
What I Tell Every Bixby Homeowner
Electrical Issues Always Get Worse With Time
Every flicker, every breaker trip, every outlet that stops working is your home trying to warn you that something is wrong. I always remind homeowners that electrical problems never stay the same. They only move in one direction. They get worse.
A Safe Home Is A Powered Home
Your electrical system should make life easier, not stressful. Whether you live near Bixby High School, Leonard, the new subdivisions by Memorial, or one of the older areas near the river, your electrical needs are growing every year.
If You Live In Bixby And Your Home Shows Any Of These Signs, I Can Help
I have worked on electrical systems all over Bixby, from new subdivisions to older river properties. Whether your circuits are overloaded, your panel is undersized, or your outdoor wiring keeps failing, I can diagnose the issue and fix it the right way.
Your home deserves safe, reliable power. I am here to help make that happen.