Electricity powers all the gadgets and appliances in your home. In all seriousness, we’d find it very hard to live without power!
So, we don't want to do anything to jeopardise our electrical systems.
Keeping an eye out for common electrical issues will keep the lights on and the power running, so to speak!
What are some of the most common electrical issues you might experience in your household and how can you spot them?
Let’s look into that right now.
Common Electrical Issues: What They Are And How To Spot Them
Too Many Plugs
Got multiboards plugged into multiboards to accommodate all the appliances in your home. Put simply, that’s too many plugs for one power point. It puts your circuits at risk of overloading and causing an electrical fault in your home.
Instead of just plugging more stuff in, it’s time to call an electrician to get more outlets installed.
Faulty Power Points
Power points have a hard life. They constantly have plugs shoved into them and pulled out again. This can put a lot of stress on one electrical connection.
Keep an eye out for outlets or switches that are loose, damaged or have exposed wires as these could potentially be a safety hazard. If you see any outlets that have visible damage, sparking or signs of charring around them, then it’s definitely time to get a qualified electrician in to repair or replace them.
Flickering Lights
There are a number of things that can cause flickering lights. But, if we are honest, they are all bad! Anything from a loose bulb to a poor connection or voltage fluctuation can be the cause. The solution will always be the same though, unless it’s a bulb, you’ll need an electrician to check your wiring and carry out repairs.
To check if it is simply a bulb causing the issue, try multiple bulbs in the same fixture. If they all flicker, then it is probably an electrical issue.
Tripped Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is an electrical safety device found within your switchboard that is designed to protect an electrical circuit from overloading. If yours are tripping regularly, then it indicates the circuit is overloaded or is short circuiting.
The first step is to establish which circuit is causing the problem. Then, you can check if there is a way to reduce the load on it - you may have too many things plugged in at once and moving some appliances could fix the problem. However, if the problem persists, it’s time to call an electrician.
Buzzing Or Sizzling Sounds
Strange or unexpected sounds coming from appliances, outlets, switches or electrical panels can be a sign of loose or damaged wiring.
First, establish what is making the noise. Plug the potential appliance into several different outlets, if it continues to make the unwanted noise, then the appliance is the culprit. Some appliances can be repaired, but others could be destined for the bin.
If it isn't specific to the appliance, then it is likely your wiring. Turn the power to the affected area off immediately and contact an electrician to assess it.
Hot Power Points Or Switches
Power points or switches that feel warm to the touch could indicate an underlying problem. Often, loose connections or an overloaded circuit can generate heat. Too much heat is obviously dangerous. Stop using the outlet or switch in the meantime. And, if you are concerned about excessive heat, turn off the power to that area until you can get an electrician to inspect it.
Constant Bulb Replacement
Are your lightbulbs blowing all the time? That could mean one of two things, either your bulbs are low quality or you have a wiring issue. Try using LED bulbs in your light fittings as they are usually a higher quality than a standard incandescent bulb (plus, they are cheaper to operate too). If the higher quality bulbs continue to blow, then it’s likely that wiring is the issue.
Age Of Your Home
Older homes usually have older electrical systems which can quickly become outdated. They are not always able to keep up with the electrical demands of a modern home.
If you are experiencing any of the issues we have indicated above, it could be because your wiring is no longer up to the task. Have a chat with an experienced electrician as it may be time for a new switchboard or to rewire the home.
Worried you may have electrical issues at your place? Then, the best thing to do is contact the Retrolec team and we will come and inspect your electrical system. Once we understand the problems, we can make expert recommendations on a safe and practical solution.
Take the first step towards a safer home and chat with our team today.
