Our homes are full of electrical systems, including wiring, computer networks, and appliances. We all rely on electricity for most of our daily tasks, and every one of us will face electrical problems at one point or another.
Electrical safety should be a priority in any household. At OT Electric we believe it is our duty to inform our customers of the dangers associated with faulty electrical systems and how to solve them.
Make a note of these top ten common household electrical problems explained by one of our experts, and let a professional handle the repairs.
#1 SURGES
Transients, more commonly known as surges, are the fast as the lightning striking of light. They occur for a split second and are caused by high-voltage disruptions in the flow of electricity. These typically damage any electronic devices that are connected at the moment.
Check the device that connects to the home grid or the wiring and tries disconnecting the power boards or devices from the outlet. If the surges don’t happen again, the problem is solved. If they do, you must call an electrician.
#2 FREQUENT BULB BURNOUTS
Do you feel like you’ve been changing light bulbs nonstop? Then it looks like the bulbs you have been buying are not as good as they were. You shouldn’t blame the bulb. You may have another electrical problem in your hands.
There are many reasons why your light bulbs burn out so frequently. It can be due to high voltage, poor wiring on circuit and mains, more wattage on a dimmer switch, improper air circulation, and many more.
You can check if the holder is either loose or the light bulb too tight. But if everything looks fine, and you throw away yet another bulb, we suggest you consult with an expert electrician.
#3 BACKSTABBED OUTLETS
“Backstabbing” an outlet is basically a shortcut to securing the wires on an outlet or switch. This was actually a common practice in the 70s and 80s, but nowadays electricians avoid it at all costs. Backstabbed wires are often pretty loose, making it really dangerous for your home. They have been found to cause electrical fires, interruption in power, and damage to the outlet.
If you found one backstabbed outlet in your home, there’s a chance there might be more. We recommend contacting an electrician to inspect your home, and identify backstabbed outlets, and repair them.
#4 HIGH ELECTRICITY BILLS
Have you noticed a substantial rise in your electricity bills when you consumed less power than it should be?
There are many reasons why your bills are going up:
- Damaged wires and circuits in your home
- You own outdated electrical devices that consume more power
- There’s a leakage in your electrical systems
- Your power supplier is not cost-effective
An electrician can help assess the energy efficiency of your home and recommend upgrades or replacements that will help your electricity bills in line. You would be surprised at how much money you can save with simple small improvements in your home.
#5 TRIPPING CIRCUIT BREAKER
When high power-consuming devices are used before you plug in a toaster or a microwave, there is a chance to get it tripped. This actually means your home is protected. Here’s why your circuit breaker may be tripping:
- Overloaded Circuit – when a circuit is attempting to draw a greater electrical load that it is intended to carry
- Short Circuit – when the hot wire (black) touches a neutral wire (white). When a circuit breaker trips again right after you reset it.
- Ground Fault – if a hot wire comes in contact with a ground wire or wood framing members. They can happen in areas with high levels of moisture such as kitchens or bathrooms.
- Arc Fault – when there are loose screw terminal connections in a switch or outlet.
Try using a low setting in your devices, or limit the usage to a single circuit. If the same problem persists, you may need to call an electrician.
#6 NO RCCB
An RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) is a separate device used to detect and prevent low voltage circuit if there is a current leak. This device will automatically turn off the switch if it detects a leakage while the current is flowing abnormally.
Technically this isn’t an electrical problem, but it is a must to have an RCCB device at home because it reduces the chances of electrical shocks. You can get RCCB installed at your home by a professional electrician in no time.
#7 SAGS AND DIPS IN POWER
Sags and dips usually happen when the power grip is faulty and there are electrical appliances connected to it. They are very similar to surges. The difference is that when you use cheap power grids and you turn on your switch, it draws more power than what the device can handle. This causes sags and dips.
If this happens repeatedly, your power-controlling device may be outdated or worn out. If you want to have improved lighting or power use, you can have your power checked by an electrician.
#8 FLICKERING LIGHTS
This is a very dangerous electrical issue that can get easily out of hand if not dealt with accordingly. It could be a sign of a faulty connection, resulting in arcing, overheating, and fire. If you experience this, immediately call the electrician to get them replaced.
#9 LIGHT SWITCHES NOT WORKING PROPERLY
If you’re experiencing your on/off switches are not working properly, there is a chance your switches may have been overridden. If you hear a buzzing sound emanating from them, you should have them replaced without delay.
It is never a good idea to postpone replacing a dysfunctional switch as they can be dangerous and you may get an electric shock when touched.
#10 ELECTRICAL SHOCKS
This one is sure to be an unpleasant experience. Electrical shocks usually happen when you turn a device on or off, or when you plug in or off a device. The problem could lie with the device or it could be the wiring.
Although most incidences are usually mild, they can be life-threatening. If you want to know exactly what is causing these electric shocks in your home or appliances, it is important to have it tested by an electrician. It can get highly risky if you try to test it by yourself.
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS NEAR YOU
Don’t be a DIY daredevil. Dealing with electrical is not like dealing with common household repairs- electrical problems can bite! If you don’t have the tools or expertise necessary to tackle these common electrical problems, OT Electric can help. Don’t ignore potential dangers. Contact OT Electric for help today.
