The electrical system in your home is one of the most vital. Because of the complexity of this system, serious problems can arise–some relatively basic; some complicated. Many electrical problems at home fall into a few common occurrences–ranging from circuit overloads to power surges. Electrical fires and shocks are serious risks if electrical problems are left unaddressed or poorly handled. For all but the most basic electrical work–such as changing a light fixture or replacing an outlet, you should hire a licensed electrician to do any home electrical repairs or upgrades. Letting problems worsen or attempting to fix them yourself and getting injured is far worse than paying for safe and reliable service from a professional. Here are a few of the most common home electrical problems.
Loose Wiring
If your home is experiencing intermittent power, the problem could be loose wiring. Loose wiring can be dangerous as there is a risk of electrical fires in frayed or exposed wiring. The first step to fixing this problem is locating it. If you are inexperienced in fixing the issue, call a professional. You will need to trace the cable to the plug and check it for wear. Shut off power to the area and find the connection point to the electrical unit and remove the damaged section of wire. Finally, strip the wires and reconnect the power cable to the electrical unit.
Circuit Overloads
Overloading circuits is one of the most common home electrical problems. When you consider how many devices and electronics are plugged into an outlet at any given time, it is hardly surprising that circuits become strained. Often, electrical wiring is built in such a way that numerous outlets in a single room may be drawing power from the same circuit. Fuses are shortened and the strain on the circuit increases to the point where it may eventually overload. If you suspect the wiring is contributing to this, hire an electrician to adjust the wiring to distribute power around multiple circuits. Be aware of how many devices are going into a single outlet and take care to avoid overloading outlets.
Power Surge
Power surges are some of the most common home electrical problems. Surges are rapid bursts of electric voltage caused by lightning strikes, circuit overloads, and power disruptions outside the home–such as increases in electricity by the power company. Surges are sometimes out of your control, but the best way to avoid the risk of surges is to use power strips and surge protectors for appliances and electronics.
