5 Signs it’s Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Wiring

If that’s the case, your house requires an immediate electrician visit. From what we know about electrical accidents, they can be dangerous and life-threatening. According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association, the US fire departments encountered an annual average of 45,210 home structure fires resulting from electrical malfunctions or failure between 2010 and 2014.

The good news is that it is quite easy to identify an electrical malfunction. Let’s take a look at the warning signs you need to watch out for.

How to spot faulty electrical wiring and malfunctioning systems in your house?

• Frequent circuit breaker tripping: Circuit breakers are your first line of defense against a current overload. Some appliances can cause tripping, so watch out for appliances that frequently trigger a circuit break or fuse. However, if the same circuit breaker trips even with a regular load, the problem is likely with your circuit or wiring. The same goes for electrical fuses. If they just keep burning every now or then, you better get the circuit load checked out.

• Burning odor: if you smell a burning odor coming out of the outlet, turn it off and get it inspected as soon as possible.

• Flickering light or buzzing noise: Light fixtures require a small amount of power, unlike larger electrical appliances. However, when electrical appliance connected to the same circuit can cause light fixtures to flicker. If that happens, it’s best to move light fixtures to a new circuit. A buzzing noise when turning on a circuit is a clear indication of worn out wiring or loose prongs. Figuring out the exact cause requires expertise and it’s best to get the work done by qualified electricians.

• Heating outlets: It’s highly unlikely for an outlet to get hot when appliances are attached to it. If you experience overheating of outlets, unplug the appliances right away. The two possible reasons for heating could be either overloading of the circuit or faulty wiring. In any of these cases, an immediate inspection is suggested.

• Electrical sparks: The last thing you would want in your house is electrical sparks. There have been cases where electrical sparks caused fires. If an appliance is causing electrical sparks, contact a technician right away. However, if an electrical outlet is the cause of sparks, it’s best to get it checked and replaced.

It is quite common to find one or more of these problems in older homes. Houses built in the 50’s 60’s and even 70’s used aluminum wiring, which was a major contributor to electrical fires or accidents. Our electricity requirements have grown manifold over the past couple of years. If you’re buying an old house, with or without aluminum wiring, it’s best to get the wiring replaced.

3 Things you can do to Keep Electrical Systems Healthy

• Regular wiring inspection: It is a good practice to get your electrical systems inspected in every couple of years. Generally, a house is inspected only during renovation or when you purchase a new house. The standard guidance is to have an electrical inspection once in every 10 years but getting the same done sooner is even better. It will allow early identification of an electrical malfunction and avoid any major accidents in turn.

• Avoiding too many extension cords: Extension cords are not designed for regular usage and should be limited to outdoor use or temporary needs only. They create a tripping hazard and being in the open makes them more susceptible to wear and tear. If you require more outlets, call a professional and get more outlets installed.

• Avoiding major DIY projects: There’s nothing wrong with changing an electric bulb every now or then or even changing a fuse, but if it’s a major project, it’s best to avoid a DIY approach. While doing it yourself may save you some money, a wrong installation can cost much more. Always get professional help for major rewiring or a new equipment installation.

We have always heard the saying that prevention is better than cure. The same goes for the overall maintenance of your house. Getting inspections done timely and keeping an eye out for any of these signs will help you keep your house safe from any electrical accidents. “If you think it’s expensive to hire an expert, wait until you hire an amateur.”

If you need help around the home whether its handyman, electrical, plumbing services. You can always rely on Efemex. Book at a time that suits your schedule, and get a professional service for the best price.

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Created on Nov 30th 2017 05:59. Viewed 613 times.

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