3 Common Electrical Problems That Can Affect Your Home
Regular electrical repairs will help improve your home's energy efficiency. The electrician will identify and resolve energy-drain issues like old bulbs, outdated HVAC systems, and high energy-consuming appliances.
Also, repairs will help spot loose wiring or other problems that can lead to fire hazards or shocks, compromising your safety. Proper repairs will keep equipment like the dishwasher reliable and long-lasting. Hence, you will save money in the long term.
Here are common electrical problems that can affect your home.
Flickering Lights
Your lights may flicker due to an overloaded circuit. If you notice the lights malfunctioning immediately after you turn on appliances like the microwave or the dishwasher, your circuit could be overloaded. Your electrical system may lack the capacity to accommodate intense power demands. Hence, the system will act up because these appliances draw excessive power when they startup.
Loose wiring caused by wear and tear will interfere with the proper flow of electric current, leading to flickering lights. You should take this issue seriously as it can trigger arcing or overheating, leading to a fire hazard. While occasional flickering shouldn't be a concern, you may have to inspect your system for hidden electrical faults if the problem persists.
Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out
Some light fixtures may not withstand higher-wattage bulbs. Hence, fixing such a bulb on a lower-rated device can lead to overheating. The bulb will generate excessive heat, which can burn the filament and start a fire in your home. The bulb sockets could have worn out or corroded parts that cause a poor connection.
Also, the circuit wires that transmit power to the fixture could be loose. The faulty connection will increase the electrical resistance and the heat going through the bulb's filament, causing the device to burn out prematurely.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
Using multiple appliances can lead to frequently tripping circuit breakers. Your home may have lower-rated electric lines that can't handle devices that draw a more significant electrical load. The overloaded circuit will heat up and cause the breaker to trip. Short circuits are another reason for tripping breakers.
This phenomenon happens when an electric current flows through an unintended pathway, resulting in intense heat. Your breaker will trip to prevent damage to your circuitry. The most common short-circuit triggers are faulty or loose connections.
Older circuit breakers can abnormally trip because they are sensitive to electric current. Hence, the device can be a nuisance even when your circuitry has no problem like overloading. You should call your electrician to replace the breaker and repair any further electrical faults in your system.
Contact a residential electrician service to learn more.