Homeowners often experience electrical problems at some point. While some are easily fixed, others require the help of a professional. Knowing these can help you troubleshoot and fix them yourself or know when to call in an electrician. Keep reading to learn about the most common electrical problems and how to fix them.
Power Surges
These occur when power is suddenly transferred to a source, usually due to an electrical device being plugged in or unplugged. River City residents tend to seek out emergency electricians on call in Brisbane as soon as they notice this is happening in order to prevent further damage to their homes. This gives them peace of mind knowing the problem will be resolved soon.
To fix power surges, you should first unplug all electronic devices and power sources that may be connected to the power grid. If it is still occurring, then it’s likely that the power source itself is damaged. Calling a professional to check the power source is the best way to go. An additional preventative measure for power surges is installing a surge protector in your home or office that will protect your electronics from power surges.
Ground Fault Interruption
Another common type of electrical issue you may encounter is ground fault interruption (GFI). It occurs when the ground wire, which provides a safe path for electricity to go directly back to its source if something goes wrong, becomes disconnected. When this happens, electricity begins to travel through other parts of the circuit that it wasn’t intended for. This can cause sparks, shorts, and even fires in some cases.
To fix ground fault interruption, the ground wire must be reconnected, or a circuit breaker needs to be reset. It is important to ensure that you are using the right ground wire for your system. If you are unsure, consult with a qualified electrician to make sure the ground wires are properly connected and secure.
Once the ground fault interruption has been taken care of, it is important to make sure that all other electrical connections in the area are also secure and up-to-date. This ensures that ground fault interruption will not occur again.
Dead Outlets
Various things can cause dead outlets, which is why it’s important to figure out the root of the problem to be able to fix it. The most obvious cause is a tripped circuit breaker, which would need to be reset. This can happen if too much current passes through one of your outlets and causes an overload.
If resetting the circuit doesn’t work, then a dead outlet may indicate other potential problems like loose wiring. This can happen if too much pressure is put on the wires when connecting them to the outlet, and no current passes through. To fix this, simply disconnect all of the connections and start over again.
Circuit Breaker Issues
Problems like these occur because of various factors. These are the following:
- Overloads
- Faulty wiring
- Faulty circuit breaker
- Loose connections
- Age of circuit breaker
These problems can usually be easily identified and fixed. You first need to determine what caused the circuit breaker issue. You can do this by inspecting your circuit breaker and any wiring connected to it. Once you identify the cause, you’ll be able to fix the circuit breaker issue.
To fix circuit breaker issues, you must make sure all wiring is securely attached to it. If it has become faulty, it may need to be replaced. If there’s an overload, you may need to upgrade your circuit breaker so that it can handle more power. Lastly, if your circuit breaker is old and worn out, you may need to replace it with a new circuit breaker.
Overheating Devices
Some electrical issues can also cause your appliances and devices to overheat. A device overheating can be dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible. Common signs of an overheating issue include the device becoming unusually hot, a burning smell coming from the device, or the circuit breaker tripping when the device is in use.
These can sometimes be quite tricky to fix, so calling a professional will ensure your safety as well as that the issue will be resolved quickly. For example, a faulty power cord could be the cause of overheating, or it may actually be an issue with the device itself.
Another way you can try to fix overheating is by cleaning out any dust and debris that has gathered around the device or air vents. This will allow air to flow more freely and should help cool down your device.
Flickering Or Dimming Lights
When you notice flickering or dimming lights in your home, it is usually an indication of a simple electrical issue. In most cases, this can be fixed by replacing faulty light switches, bulbs, or cords.
If they are localized to one area of the house, then you should check for any faulty wiring in that area. Look for exposed wires and loose connections, as these issues can cause flickering. If there are no signs of faulty wiring, then you should replace the switch with a new one to see if this solves the problem.
A flickering bulb often signals a worn-out bulb that needs replacing. However, it may also indicate loose connections inside the fixture itself. To check this, remove the bulb, unscrew the fixture, and inspect for any loose wires. If everything looks okay, then you can simply replace the bulb with a new one.
Loose Connection
Outlets can get loose sometimes due to age and use. This loose connection can be dangerous as it will cause arcing, which can lead to fires. It is important to check your outlets regularly for loose connections and repair or replace them if needed.
To fix a loose connection, make sure the power is off before you start working on the outlet. You can then unscrew the cover plate from the wall and inspect the wires inside. If any of them are loose, tighten them up securely by twisting each wire around its appropriate screw terminal. Make sure that none of the wires come in contact with other metallic parts as well. After you have finished tightening all loose connections, re-attach the cover plate and turn on the power again to test it out.
Electrical problems must be resolved right away in order to avoid further issues. All of these mentioned are common and should be fixed with a lot of care. If you’re not sure how to do this, make sure to call a professional who will do the job for you. Stay safe!
