Common Causes Of Electrical Problems At Home
Your residential electrical system includes incoming power lines and a variety of interconnected components that provide power throughout the home. Usually, one or more of these components are to blame when there is a problem with your home's electrical system.
Check out some of the most common reasons you may face electrical system problems in your home.
Overloaded Circuits
Each of the electrical outlets in your home is connected to an electrical circuit that helps prevent an overload within the system.
If you plug in too many appliances or a single appliance that requires more power than an outlet is rated for, the breakers in the main service panel will trip, shutting off the power supply to the particular circuit that is connected to that outlet. The main service panel is usually located right next to or under the electric meter.
A tripping breaker is the most obvious sign of an overloaded circuit, but there are other warning signs you should watch out for. These include the following:
- Buzzing sounds coming from electrical outlets
- Flickering or dimming lights
- The smell of burning plastic coming from electrical outlets
- Switch or outlet covers that are hot to the touch
While a tripping breaker is a sign that your home is protected, it is best to take steps to avoid circuit overloads in the first place by avoiding plugging too many appliances or devices at the same time.
In some cases, however, the problem can be caused by the live and neutral wires touching each other. In such cases, a short circuit may also occur, resulting in the need for more extensive repairs.
Faulty Wiring
The wiring that runs in your house helps to distribute electricity to the various points of use throughout the house, including the lighting fixtures and electrical outlets. It can cause electrical system repair issues if it becomes loose or gets disconnected.
Wiring problems can be easy to troubleshoot if they affect specific lighting fixtures and outlets only. But if they affect the entire house, it may take time to pinpoint the exact areas that require repair attention.
Left unaddressed, faulty wiring and frequently tripping breakers may result in serious electrical hazards in your home, including electric shocks, fires, and explosions. If you want to keep your home and everything inside it protected from the risks that electrical problems can pose, you should bring in a residential electrician near you at the earliest signs of trouble.
To learn more, contact an electrical system repair service today.
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