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In terms of a household electrical system, your safety is of chief concern. Flickering lights, damaged appliances, and high electricity bills can all be signs of electrical problems at home. Below is a list of the basic and most common electrical problems and their appropriate solutions.

Electrical Problems in the House

 

  • Electrical Surges

Frequent electrical surges can be caused by several things, including defective appliances, faulty electrical wiring, a lightning strike, and damaged power lines. An electrical surge generally lasts a fraction of a second. An object will become severely damaged after experiencing surges multiple times.

Solution: 

The simplest and most effective way to prevent electrical surges is by using a surge protector. This device absorbs all excess energy that runs through it. During a surge, it redirects the excess voltage into the grounding wire for neutralization. The service-panel type of surge protector functions similarly, though it directly fits onto the circuit breaker.

  • Overloaded Circuits

This is one of the main reasons for tripped circuit breakers. It can be so easy to overload a circuit, particularly in older houses that cannot supply the amount of electricity needed by some appliances. There are appliances that use greater electricity than others, thus you should pay close attention to what consumes the most power. Unplugging an object when not in use will also help.

Solution:

The instant solution to an overloaded circuit is simply moving some of the plug-in devices from your overloaded circuit to a different general-purpose circuit. Next, turn the circuit breaker back on and switch devices back on.

  • Defective Light Switches

If a light switch in your home is not working properly, there are a few electrical troubleshooting options to consider. A dimmer switch that does not correctly adjust is commonly caused by low-quality material and fabrication. A switch that has trouble connecting to a fixture could be due to faulty wiring, circuit, or outlet.

Solution: 

Some lighting problems are easy to repair. These include checking for any tripped switch in the fuse box or replacing a blown-out light bulb. But if this doesn’t help, it may be worth contacting an electrician for assistance. The electrician will test your light switch for any broken mechanism, unstable toggle, or loose wires.

  • Tripping Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are designed to trip as their way to protect your house, but you should identify the exact reason why they trip. In case it was caused by high wattage like a microwave, choose a lower setting especially if you are using it simultaneously with other appliances.

Solution:

If your circuit breaker keeps on tripping, there might be a serious problem, usually due to general wear and tear on the breaker itself. This requires the installation of a new one. Repeated tripping due to general wear and tear is commonly caused by a short circuit, overloaded circuit, or ground fault.

  • Electrical Shocks

Experiencing electrical shocks is both unfortunate and harmful. While they are usually mild, electrical shocks serve as a reminder for us to handle electricity with care to avoid serious injuries. They can be due to a faulty appliance wiring or a defective appliance.

Solution:

Electrical shocks commonly happen when you switch a device on or off. The problem could be with the wiring or the appliance. You can test it by plugging in a different device and checking if the results are consistent, but you are risking an electrical shock again. In most cases, it would be better to call an electrician.

Things to Consider During Electrical Problems

When working with electricity, keep these things in mind:

  • Always assume that overhead electrical wires are live and deadly to the touch.
  • Avoid operating any electrical equipment near or in standing water.
  • Avoid repairing electrical equipment without any proper training.
  • Get a professional electrician to examine electrical equipment that has come in contact with water.
  • Use a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) in any place that is exposed to moisture.

Get Help with Your Electrical Problems

Here are the top 6 reasons why you should call an electrician:

  1. Tripping circuit breakers or blowing fuse boxes
  2. Flickering lights
  3. Additional plug sockets
  4. Additional circuits
  5. Old plug sockets
  6. Warm or shocking surfaces

You are not the only one experiencing these residential electricity problems. These are only a few of the several common electrical issues homeowners and property managers deal with. It is important to bear in mind that “common” does not necessarily mean “simple” when you seek electrical solutions.

Because an electrical system is extremely dangerous, it is of vital importance to engage professional electricians who will ensure electrical safety in the workplace and at home. Only an insured and qualified electrician or electrical company can safely provide electrical testing, repair, and maintenance services needed to ensure safety and protection.

Author:

Authorbio

Ossian Rey is a passionate writer of SOServices (https://www.soservices.sg/) and expert in Maintenance Service related articles. Loves to play video games and chit-chat.