Introduction
Ensuring the safety of your home’s electrical system is an important responsibility. A well-maintained electrical system not only ensures your property is safe but also protects the people who live in it. Ignoring electrical issues can lead to a host of problems, ranging from inconvenient power outages to more severe hazards like electrical fires. What may seem to be a minor flicker or a persistent hum might be a sign of an underlying issue.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at signs that tell you there is something wrong with the electrical circuits in your home. You can also read about what you should do to prevent this from happening on a more frequent basis.
THE 7 SIGNS OF ELECTRIC PROBLEMS
Some common signs indicate you have an electric problem. So, let’s take a look at them and what type of problems they signify.
Flickering Lights
Ever notice your lights doing an impromptu dance, plunging you into a disco state randomly? Flickering lights might seem like a minor annoyance, but they can be the sign of an underlying electrical hiccup.
Flickering lights can stem from various sources, ranging from benign to potentially hazardous. Loose bulbs, outdated wiring, or even issues with the power grid are some of the more common causes of this issue. It could also indicate that too much electricity is focused on one area of your house. It is important to understand the reason behind the issue to ensure that the right action is taken.
Tripping Circuit Breakers / Blowing Fuses
In case there is a massive surge of power, there are devices that make sure that it doesn't harm the electrical system present in your house. There are two main types of these devices: circuit breakers and fuses.
The circuit breaker system uses circuit breakers to control electrical currents through your house. If an unsafe amount of electricity tries to pass through, the device will break or ‘trip’. Typically, these circuit breakers will have to be switched back on after it is safe to do so.
The fuse system also functions similarly. However, instead of tripping, the fuses melt when there is an unsafe amount of current flowing through, or they will "blow.”. The tripped circuit breaker and the blown fuse will immediately cut power to the rest of the house, thereby protecting your house.
Now, when these devices are tripping or blowing regularly, there is something wrong with your electrical wiring. This could be due to improper grounding of your wiring, leading to intense wear on your wiring system. There is the additional danger that a large amount of electricity poses a serious fire hazard.
We recommend calling a professional electrician with experience to fix the issue.
Electrical Outlets And Switches Are Loose
An extremely common issue faced by people is when an electrical outlet is unable to hold a plug firmly. As these outlets age, the sockets that keep the plug in place loosen up, leading to the plug just falling out. Usually, the socket needs to be replaced, and the issue will be resolved.
However, if the outlets in your house are giving off shocks, it might be an issue with the grounding of the wiring or with the circuit breaker. This is because the shocks come once your outlets receive too much power. This should also be looked at quickly, as it can wear down the outlets and appliances and pose a huge fire hazard.
Burning Smell
When you start using a new appliance or an electric device, there might be a weird smell. This is pretty common and nothing to worry about, as it is usually caused by the product itself, and it will go pretty soon.
However, this can become serious if you smell the odour of something burning when plugging in something or if a device has been used for a significant period. The odour comes from wiring problems or issues with the circuit that is being used. Either way, it is a fire hazard, and it needs to be checked.
The first thing you should do is trip the breaker for that particular outlet to ensure no more electricity is being sent there. Next, call the Rankins team so we can fix the issue quickly and safely!
Buzzing Or Humming Sounds
Buzzing or humming sounds are in the same realm of danger as the burning odour. They need to be addressed as soon as possible. These sounds are usually a sign that your wiring has deteriorated, is out of place, or is damaged.
Damaged wiring can be extremely dangerous, as it causes a host of issues all by itself. Any other sounds, like popping or sizzling, also show that your outlets are overheating.
Make sure not to touch the outlets when this is happening, as you could get shocked or cause an electrical fire. While the sound itself might be annoying, it is a signal of something building, which is why we recommend getting it checked out as soon as you can.
Frayed Wires
After some amount of usage, it is pretty common to see frayed wiring around the house. This is usually due to high heat, deterioration, and pests like mice. Appliances attached to the frayed wires usually work normally, causing people to just forget about having them fixed.
However, frayed wires are quite dangerous. They are a sign that the connection has been receiving excessive voltage for a long time. This puts all your nearby appliances at risk of fire and further damage. If the problem has already existed for a while, some of the appliances might have already been damaged. You should have both the wire and the appliances checked to make sure that they can be fixed.
Age Of Electronic Systems And Components
Lifespan
Like all things electrical, wiring doesn’t last forever, and it is easy to forget about it. Outdated wiring is a lurking danger that is hidden behind the walls of your home. As electrical systems age, the materials used in wiring deteriorate as they are constantly exposed to numerous factors that cause them to fray. This leads to increased resistance, overheating, and a heightened risk of electrical fires.
Upgrading For Safety
To make sure that there is no issue caused by aged wiring, we recommend scheduling regular checkups. These checkups will make sure that your wiring is in good shape while also unearthing the more hidden issues your wiring system might have. This is especially true for those who have ancestral or historic homes that have old electrical systems.
In case there is any issue coming up, regular checkups will ensure that you are aware of them, thus making the issues far easier to deal with.
IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS
When it comes to having your electrical wiring systems inspected, it is always best to go with the professionals. It is similar to heading out into uncharted waters with an experienced navigator. Licenced electricians bring expertise, experience, and a keen eye to identify any potential hazards that would otherwise escape the untrained eye.
When scheduling regular checkups for your wiring, make sure to do it with a seasoned professional. You know your house is in safe hands and you will not have to worry about any unnecessary changes. It will also assure you that you will be able to address any issues before they cause any form of harm.
Early detection is key to electrical safety. Not only will you save yourself from the risk, but you will also be saving your money. This is because it is far cheaper to simply replace a socket or some wiring instead of dealing with an electrical fire or an accident that causes physical harm. Simply invest in regular checkups and save yourself the pain and the money from not protecting yourself.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, this guide has helped you realise that your wiring may need to be checked and has saved you from having to deal with any hazards. If this is true, you can simply enlist our help! Contact us and schedule an appointment to check and make sure everything is in order. The journey to a safe house begins with an electrical checkup!
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