Electrical systems are one of the most important parts of your home. They ensure that your home functions properly, as well as keeping your family safe.
It’s crucial to know the absolute basics of electrical repairs before you start working on them. Otherwise, you could end up with a fire or other serious problems.
Loose Outlets
Loose outlets are one of the most frustrating electrical problems that a homeowner can face. They can also be a serious safety issue that could lead to damage or even fire in your home.
This can be caused by worn contact points, a loose outlet box in the wall, or even an old plug. But regardless of the cause, it’s important to get them fixed as soon as possible for both your safety and peace of mind.
Generally, these issues are easy to fix with a few tools that are common in most homes. To start, you’ll need a screwdriver with a rubber handle to prevent electrical shock and a pair of wire strippers. You’ll also need a voltage tester to check that there is no electricity flowing to the outlet.
Before you begin, turn off the power to your home or the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to the loose outlet. Then, remove the cover of the outlet and its screws. This will free the outlet up so that you can remove it from its recessed box and place a few plastic shims to help hold it in position.
If you find that the problem is the receptacle itself, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. You can purchase these from your local hardware store. Once you have a replacement, you can use the same steps to fix your loose outlet as you would to fix a normal one.
But if you’re not sure how to do this, it may be a good idea to call an electrician to do the work for you. Licensed electricians have the skills and experience to get your loose outlet replaced without any harm to your home’s wiring.
The best way to deal with these issues is to hire a professional to assess them and do the repair. They will be able to properly evaluate the situation and take care of any hidden wiring problems that might be lurking. This will save you time, money, and potential shock and fire hazards that you might otherwise encounter if you tried to do the repairs yourself.
Wiring Issues
Electrical issues in the home can be a little scary, but there are some electrical repairs that you can probably do yourself. Whether you are a DIYer or just want to save some money, it’s important to understand your wiring before attempting any kind of repair.
It is crucial to keep your home’s electrical system up to code and inspected by a professional electrician on a regular basis. Not only will this reduce your risk of fires, it can also help you avoid costly damage to your property.
If you have a house built in the 60s or 70s, it may use aluminum wiring for some or all of its circuits. While this is a cheaper alternative to copper, aluminum oxidizes much faster than copper and can be a serious fire hazard.
Fortunately, aluminum wires are not common in homes today because of their safety concerns. However, if you do have aluminum wiring in your home, it’s best to contact a professional electrician and have it replaced.
One of the most obvious signs that something is wrong with your wiring is a burning smell in your home. This odor is caused by metal wiring being heated or melted, and it can be especially dangerous when it is coming from your home’s switches and outlets.
Another sign of faulty wiring is that your lights and appliances seem to dim or flicker when you turn them on or off. This can indicate that your wiring cannot handle the load, so it’s best to have it repaired before it causes a problem.
If your circuit breakers are tripping frequently, this is a signal that there is an overload in the system. This can usually be fixed with a new fuse, but it is better to get an electrician to examine your entire system and find the cause of the issue.
Finally, if you notice your outlets or switches are loose, this is a good indication that your wiring may need to be repaired. Loose outlets are a potential fire hazard, and they can even shock an unsuspecting person as they plug or unplug cords.
Faulty Switches
A faulty switch is often the first sign of an electrical problem that requires professional help. If you notice a dimmer switch that doesn’t turn on or flickering lights or signs of arcing, it’s important to fix the problem before it becomes worse.
Luckily, many of these problems are easy to fix and can save you from having to replace your entire light switch. But it’s also worth knowing that some electromechanical switches can fail or degrade over time. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as contact arcing (when the contacts are made and broken), dirt and corrosion, or simply lack of use.
One of the first things to do is to check for loose wire connections at the switch itself. This can be done by removing the switch from the electrical box and looking inside with a flashlight. If you see any bad wire connections, then reconnect them and tighten them up. Once the problem is fixed, you can tuck the switch back in the electrical box, replace the cover plate, and test it to make sure everything is working correctly.
Another indication that your switch needs work is if it is making any buzzing sounds or is hot to the touch. This is usually a sign of a short circuit and should be addressed immediately to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard.
Finally, if you see tiny sparks when you turn off the switch or the electrical power goes out, this is a sign of load arcing, where electricity bridges the gap between the contacts as they move apart. This isn’t unusual, but if the sparks are new or get larger over time, then it’s a sign that your switch needs to be replaced.
Faulty switches are a common symptom of electrical problems and can be repaired by an electrician. But before you start, be sure to shut off the breaker for that area of your home. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally trip it and cause serious damage. If you need help with any of these issues, reach out to our team at Hartland Electric and we’ll take care of it for you.
Electrical Safety
Electrical safety is an important aspect of any workplace that involves electricity. Injuries related to electrical hazards can be serious and even fatal. Whether you are an electrician or a home appliance owner, it is vital to understand how to safely work with electricity.
NFPA, or the National Fire Protection Association, reports that improper electrical wiring and other equipment causes more than 6 percent of all home fires. In fact, 69 percent of all electrical fires are caused by faulty or damaged wires, light fixtures, cords and plugs.
The NFPA’s home electrical safety checklist includes some important ground rules that you should always follow. For example, never use electrical tools or equipment with wet hands. Water increases the conductivity of electricity, which can cause a dangerous shock.
In addition, don’t use cords that have frayed insulation or broken plugs. They are a safety hazard and should be discarded immediately.
Another major electrical safety hazard is contact with overhead powerlines and other exposed wires. This is often the reason why workers are electrocuted.
Fortunately, these accidents are relatively rare. However, they can happen in a workplace where employees are not following the proper safety procedures.
For example, an apprentice electrician recently died from a fatal electrocution while working on a fixture. According to the investigation, he had accidentally crossed-wired the conductors in the fixture by mistake.
This energized the conductors and allowed current to pass through his body and into the metal grid. This is a very deadly and common mistake.
To protect yourself from this hazard, wear proper foot protection (insulated shoes) when performing any electrical repairs or maintenance. Also, wear a hard hat when working on a high-voltage circuit.
A third way to stay safe is to use a Thermo Clip(tm) from IRISS, which can help identify overheated wires before they become an issue. The clip has patented thermochromic technology that changes color when the wire’s heat exceeds its thermal rating.
This helps prevent overheating and equipment failure, while also reducing downtime and injury. The Thermo Clip(tm) is a cost-effective solution that will help keep you and your team safe.