Electrical outlets are one of the most important things that we use daily at home, at work, or even in restaurants and cafes. As a homeowner, you might only think about your outlet when it begins to malfunction. However, it’s best to catch any problems early on before they can cause damage to your home.
According to local residential electricians near you, here’s why you should change your outlets:
Old home
According to the National Electric Code, all houses that are constructed post-1965 must have three-prong, grounded outlets. Houses that were built before that might still have ungrounded, two-prong outlets that can pose electrocution, shock, or fire hazards in the event of sudden voltage spikes. It’s best to hire a qualified electrician to get a GFCI outlet to avoid any dangerous situations. These outlets can detect drops in the current and shut off the circuit in the event of a ground fault accident.
Plugs keep falling out
If your plugs keep falling out of your outlet, likely, the contacts on the inside are severely worn out. Electrical arcing in old outlets can cause extensive damage to homes and start electrical fires. That’s why it’s important to replace any old outlets and check them all to make sure that they work properly.
Electricians can examine the area behind the outlet to check for wear, deterioration, or damage, and replace or repair any damaged installations and cables.
Burn marks
If your outlet feels hot when it’s being used, or right after you take out the plug, there’s probably an electrical problem with worn-out, broken, or loose wires behind the wall. This can pose as a significant risk for electrical fires and should be fixed as soon as possible.
Discoloration or burn marks indicate that it may be damaged, burned, or installed improperly. Short circuits in the outlet can leave burn marks and the smell of burning plastic.
Cracked or broken outlet
Using a damaged or broken outlet can be hazardous to your safety. Electric arcs caused by inserting any plugs can shock or electrocute the user or cause harm to your appliance.
Do you need electrical contractors in Philadelphia?
Golden Electrical Service has got you covered! We can help you choose the best electrical outlets based on your needs and install them within hours. Our wide range of residential and commercial electrical repair Philadelphia services are available outside of regular business hours.
Contact us to find out more!
