With electricity, it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Everything from high electric bills, damaged appliances, and even flickering lights can point to electrical problems in your home. Here are some of the most common problems and what could be causing them.
Frequent Surges in Power
Many reasons can lead to electrical surges in your home. Anything from faulty appliances, power line damages, and even lightning strikes can lead to power surges. Although these surges only last a few seconds, they can cause severe damage to sensitive electronics.
Your frequent surges may be a result of a faulty appliance plugged into your home circuit. Consider unplugging any cheap devices that you suspect of drawing power all of a sudden, and check if the surging problem gets resolved. If it does not, you must call an electrician to diagnose the problem.
Frequent Tripping of Circuit Breakers
Items that require high power, such as hairdryers or microwaves, can often cause circuit breakers to trip. This often happens when you have multiple high-powered devices connected to one breaker. You do not have to worry about tripping, though, because the circuit breaker is designed to limit the power in the circuit, and by tripping, it is simply doing its job.
Pay attention to what you were using, and if there are any high-powered appliances such as a hairdryer, consider moving it to a different room, or lower the setting, so it draws less power. Always pay attention to the load you are putting on one breaker, and keep power-hungry appliances in separate areas of the house.
Flickering Lights
If the lights around the house are flickering, it usually points to a loose connection somewhere around the house. Electrical wires corrode with time. If not checked over longer periods, the wires can stop conducting electricity as they used to and become loose in their slots.
If you find the same wattage lights working at different intensities, it usually points to a bad neutral connection. It is best to have a professional electrician inspect the lights and connections. They will give you the best solutions after diagnosing the problem.
Bulbs Burning Out Frequently
If the bulbs and other lights around the house are burning out too frequently, there can be many reasons for the problem. These include:
- If the bulb or light you are using exceeds the wattage limit of the holder it uses, you are likely to experience burnouts due to overheating. Remember to check the holder’s capacity of the lamp before selecting a bulb for it. If the holder is unmarked, avoid using bulbs that exceed 60 watts.
- If the insulation is too close to the bulb or the light, it can damage the light when heated and lead to the light burning out more frequently.
- Poor wiring and connections can cause arcing and flickering. Sometimes, these can damage the lights and other appliances, leading to burnout.
However, if you cannot diagnose the electrical issue by yourself, consult a licensed electrician for advice. Professional electricians can reach the root cause of the problem and will be able to solve the issue once and for all.
No Power in the Outlets
Loose connections and corroded wires can cause the outlets to stop transmitting electricity. The breaker might have tripped if you plugged a heavy appliance on the outlet. But if the breaker is fine, it must mean that there is some issue in the wiring or connections.
You can check for the loose connection by opening the outlet and inspecting the connection. Please remember to turn off the breaker before opening up the outlet. If you are unsure of what is to be done, contact a professional electrician, and they should be able to resolve the problem for you.
Electrical Shocks from Appliances
Sometimes, the appliances are not correctly grounded, leading to small shocks whenever we touch the metal parts. You can plug the device in another outlet to see if the problem persists. If it gets resolved when the device is moved to another area of the house, chances are the grounding wire or connection has broken.
Last Few Words
Electricity is dangerous and should not be played around with. If you suspect any electrical issues with your wiring or connections, get in touch with a professional, licensed electrician. They will be able to diagnose the root cause of the problem and provide you with the best solutions.
At Golden Electrical Service, our teams of licensed electricians are well experienced at troubleshooting and providing optimal solutions to households. If you face any issue or require any assistance with electrical work, our team of experts will be glad to assist you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at goldenelectricalservicellc@gmail.com.
