7 Tips On How To Prevent Major Electrical Emergencies
Have you ever experienced electrical issues like fire smoke alarms or power surges? If yes, then chances are, they weren’t caused by a simple issue. According to an expert electrical contractor, these issues can often be avoided by using the right tools at home.
If you’re searching for “electricians near me” online to help you with all your electrical problems at home or in business then read on to learn some tips.
Electrical problems are typically due to faulty wiring, damaged components, and corroded metal parts. These can occur in residential homes, commercial buildings, or industrial facilities.
It is necessary to identify potential risks early to prevent major electrical work. This article highlights some of the common causes leading to electrical problems. In addition, it offers ways to prevent them from happening at home.
1. Wiring Issues
Wires are used extensively in modern-day appliances and devices. They can be made of copper, aluminium, brass, or any other material depending upon the need and application. But wires that have been exposed to moisture, heat, and cold may become brittle over time. Such damage leads to corrosion and breakage of electrical circuits.
To avoid electrical problems at home, make sure that wires are properly installed. It is highly recommended to ensure that the wire should be fixed to the wall studs or joists to prevent damage. You must also keep away from areas where there is excessive humidity, especially during the summer months.
2. Faulty Components
Faulty electrical components include switches, sockets and plugs, circuit boards, dimmers, thermostats, circuit breakers, and fuses. When one component malfunctions, another component could start working improperly as well. For instance, when a switch fails, the lights installed will turn off even though the electricity has not gone off.
In most cases, the cause of this problem is because of the failure of the switch contacts. Most times, however, the contractors fail due to corrosion and improper polarity. The best way to avoid such electrical problems is to maintain your equipment regularly. By doing so, you are likely to stay clear of such electrical issues.
3. Corroded Metal Parts
Corrosion occurs when metal reacts with water, air, and other chemicals. As a result, metals lose their strength and begin to disintegrate. Over time, this deterioration may lead to leakage, short-circuiting, and other electrical problems.
Corrosion usually happens when there is exposure to water, salt, smoke, rainwater, or other liquids. Water is particularly harmful to electrical systems. It can get into nooks and crannies that are hard to reach.
The first sign of corrosion is rusting. Once the water begins to enter the system, it starts to eat away at the metal. Eventually, the metal weakens and falls apart. It becomes extremely dangerous if left unchecked.
There are several preventive measures you can take to avoid corrosion. Make sure that you clean your pipe connections before moving them around. Also, make sure that you don’t use harsh cleaners on your wires, switches, receptacles, and outlets. Instead, try using mild soap and warm water.
4. Damaged Plugs and Sockets
Plugs and sockets are very important to electrical systems. They serve as primary power systems sources for many household items like lamps, radios, computers, microwaves, hot water systems etc. If they’re damaged, then chances are high that everything connected to them will stop functioning altogether.
Some common types of socket and plug failures include:
- Improper installation causes loose connections.
- Damage to insulation caused by voltage surges.
- Fuse box malfunction.
- Broken wires inside the outlet itself or in the wiring diagram.
You can prevent these kinds of problems by making sure that you install socket plugs correctly. In order to do so, you have to follow the specifications provided by the manufacturer.
Avoid putting too much force on connecting wires. Also, never use extension cords or jumper cables when necessary. Instead, do an electrical repair of damaged parts immediately.
5. Incorrectly Installed Wires or Cords
We have been plagued with an increasing number of electrical fires. This is mainly due to incorrect installation techniques. According to an expert emergency electrician, faulty installations have contributed to deaths each year.
When installing new circuits or replacing old ones, always check the work carefully. Be careful not to connect two sets of wires in parallel. Doing so would allow current to flow through both lines simultaneously. Remember to also verify that all wires are properly grounded.
Also, never cut off any wires when replacing them. Instead, disconnect the old ones and reattach them after the job is complete.
6. Faulty Outlets
An improperly installed or wired outlet could be the source of numerous problems. For example, it might create a shock hazard and expose children to danger. You should also consider that it might reduce the life span of appliances, especially those that generate heat.
7. Electric Shocks
Electric shocks happen when an appliance touches another one while it’s still plugged in. This is often caused by an ungrounded circuit breaker tripping unexpectedly. Or, it could be due to a poorly constructed outlet. Either way, it’s advisable that you hire a licensed electrician to fix it ASAP.
In case you suspect that your home suffers from electricity issues, contact a qualified electrician right away. He’ll inspect your house thoroughly and offer solutions to eliminate potential hazards like fire risks.
Many local electricians offer great service, high quality and 24 hour customer service at small and large scale electrical installation and other services.
If you want to learn more about electrical service, search for “electricians near me” online to help you get started.
