Three Safety Guidelines to Follow When Doing Electrical Repairs
One of the most volatile home improvement projects to undertake is carrying out electrical repairs. The challenge with these repairs is that a small mistake can create a fire hazard in the home. Poorly installed wiring has been known to cause damage to appliances and even cause home fires. Mistakes in wiring also endanger the lives of the people living in the home because they create risks such as electric shocks. It is, therefore, advisable to always think of safety as the priority when doing wiring and repairing the wiring. Here are three safety guidelines that you can follow to ensure that the repair process does not create electrical hazards in the home.
Switching Off Power From the Mains
The first thing that you should do when you want to make repairs to any appliances or parts of the home wiring should be switching off the power at the mains. In addition to switching off the power, it is advisable to think about using devices such as voltage testers to make sure that there is no current in the system. The simple act of using a tester to check whether there is power in the system will easily help you avoid getting shocked.
Checking the Condition of Circuit Breakers
Another common source of problems with the wiring system is the labelling of the circuit breakers. This is a mistake which is common in houses whose electrical system has been in operation for a number of years. You will find that with every upgrade to the system, the circuit breakers change, and this is not necessarily reflected in the labelling. As a result, the labels might not indicate the device that they control, which in itself creates a serious electrical hazard.
Picking the Right Amperage
Another common challenge associated with electrical repairs, especially where light bulbs are involved, is picking the right amperage. Generally, when replacing a light bulb, it is advisable to ensure that you do not pick a bulb whose amperage rating is higher than what the circuit can hold. The same rule goes when you are installing and replacing receptacles.
These are simple yet very effective rules that you can follow when dealing with the installation and repair of electrical systems in the house. If you are not conversant with the rules to follow when handling the electrical repairs, it is advisable to get a professional electrician to handle the process for you.
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