Your home’s electrical system is critical to keeping you and your family comfortable. But like any important system, it needs regular maintenance and repairs to avoid breakdowns and fire hazards.
While replacing a light bulb or flipping the breaker switch is easy enough, more complicated problems require professional help. Here are some signs that it’s time for an emergency Electrical Repair.
A fuse may have blown if the lights in one part of your house go out. This happens when the electrical current in a circuit exceeds its amperage rating. This overloading can damage the wiring and the appliances plugged into the outlet. You can avoid this problem by using only one plug for each outlet. Also, unplugging any appliances that are not in use will reduce the amount of energy they need.
Faulty or degraded wiring is another common cause of fuses blowing. This is especially likely in older homes with outdated wiring. This problem often causes arc faults that can lead to overheating and even fires. Fortunately, this is easy to fix with the help of an electrician.
When you notice a fuse has blown, you should turn off the power to that area of your house by flipping the switch at your fuse box or circuit breaker panel (depending on the age of your home). Next, locate the broken fuse and replace it with a new fuse of the same amperage rating. Be sure not to use a higher amperage fuse — doing so can overwork your wiring and create a dangerous hazard.
You should also visually inspect the fuse for a broken filament inside or discoloration around the fuse to ensure it isn’t faulty before replacing it. A faulty fuse may have a short in it, which can occur when a conductor supplying electricity to the device overheats and melts. This can happen if you plug too many accessories into a single outlet, or it could be caused by internal damage in your device. Blown fuses should always be replaced with the proper amperage fuse to prevent an overloading of your wiring.
Circuit Breaker Trips
When a circuit breaker trips, it shuts off power to that particular circuit. This is a safety mechanism designed to prevent overheating and fire, especially in wet environments. When a breaker trips, it usually indicates that there is too much current being drawn by a device or appliance. In some cases, a breaker may also trip due to a short circuit. A short circuit occurs when two wires that are meant to be at different voltages (hot and neutral) contact each other. This can occur from things like a loose connection, damage caused by rodents chewing on wiring or a faulty outlet or switch.
If a breaker keeps tripping, it is probably time to call an electrician. It is important to try to figure out what is causing the breaker to trip in order to fix the problem. The first step is to unplug all devices and appliances connected to the breaker. Then, reset the breaker to the ‘on’ position. Next, plug each appliance back in one at a time to see what is causing the breaker to trip.
A faulty breaker can cause overheating and fires, as well as a burnt smell and scorch marks on the breaker panel. This is a serious issue that requires a professional inspection and repair to prevent further damage. A breaker that continually trips is not safe and should never be used until it has been fixed by a professional. An experienced electrician can find the source of the problem and make necessary repairs to keep you safe. Some other reasons a circuit breaker could be tripping include:
Burnt Fuses
Many older homes still use fuses rather than circuit breakers to control current in their home electrical systems. If too much electricity flows through a fuse, it will blow and need to be replaced. To reset a fuse, first shut off power to the area at your service panel. Then, identify the faulty fuse and unplug lamps or appliances that are plugged into it. A blown fuse will have a metallic smear or fog in its glass window that can help you find it. After you have removed the fuse, replace it with a new one of the same size and type.
Flickering lights, tripping breakers, buzzing outlets or switches, and burning smells are all signs of electrical problems that need repairs. It is important to get these issues addressed immediately, as ignoring them can lead to larger problems in the future.
When you need to perform an electrical repair, it is best to hire a professional who has the proper training and tools. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic electrical repair skills so you can understand what the problem is and how to fix it. This includes knowing the difference between volts, amperes, ohms and watts, as well as how to work safely with electricity. Using dedicated electrician’s tools is always recommended as they feature insulated handles to prevent accidental electrocution.
Unlike firecrackers, which require oxygen to ignite and explode, fuses have their own built-in oxidizer. The fuses used in most homes, for example, burn at a consistent rate and don’t react to outside moisture. The same applies to fuses used in fire extinguishers. The oxidizer in them causes the fire to hiss and spray sparks, but they won’t explode in the thin carbon dioxide-dominated atmosphere of Mars or in the airless vacuum of space.
Power Surges
Power surges can destroy electronic devices in a flash, frying circuit boards and melting plastic and metal parts. Large power surges, such as lightning strikes, can send thousands of volts through your wiring, overwhelming and damaging devices within nanoseconds. Smaller surges can cause less obvious damage by wearing down the internal components of devices, shortening their lifespan and causing them to function incorrectly.
You may be able to spot the symptoms of a power surge by looking for overheated electrical plugs and connectors or devices that seem to act erratically or not turn on at all. You might also notice a ringing in your ears or a buzzing sound coming from an outlet. If you suspect a power surge has caused your equipment to stop working altogether, you should unplug it immediately and call for an inspection from a licensed electrician.
Faulty or damaged electrical wiring is a major cause of power surges. When the insulation surrounding wires breaks down due to age, rodents, improper installation or other factors, the wires can conduct too much electricity and create excessive heat. Signs that your wiring is faulty include scorch marks on outlets, a burning smell, vibrations or a buzzing sound from outlets and a frequent circuit breaker trip.
Having whole-house surge suppressors installed is one of the most effective ways to prevent power surges, especially in older homes. These devices protect against external surges and can also shield your home from internal ones that might slip past plug-in surge protectors. Contact a certified electrician to have your home’s wiring checked and updated as needed. You may also want to consider having arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) installed to guard against home electrical fires.
Faulty Wiring
When the plastic coating on a wire wears out, it exposes the wiring within, increasing electrical resistance and potential fire hazards. If the resistance reaches a dangerous level, it can cause the wires to melt or arc. Faulty wiring is one of the most common causes of home fires, which can lead to devastating injuries or death.
In addition to causing fires, faulty wiring can also result in serious electric shocks. This can happen when the current leaking out of worn-out or old wiring becomes energized by touching a metal object, such as the handle of a toaster or kettle. If you experience a shocking sensation when touching an appliance, turn off the power to that outlet and call an electrician immediately.
Other signs of faulty wiring include a burning smell or sparks from an outlet or switch, discolored outlets, and scorch marks on walls. These are all urgent indicators of a serious problem that requires immediate attention from a professional electrician.
Even a mild electric shock can be incredibly dangerous and cause a host of symptoms, including muscle stiffness, pain, spasms, and numbness. It can also cause burns and other severe injuries, such as amputations, seizures, ringing in the ears, migraines, PTSD, and even heart attacks. In the worst cases, electric shocks can be fatal. In order to prevent these dangerous and expensive problems, it is important to inspect and maintain your electrical system regularly. If you would like to learn more about the electrical industry and how you can work with it, consider an online program offered by Coyne College. You could start a career as a certified electrician and help keep your family safe from dangerous electrical issues!