How to spot a short circuit

How to spot a short circuit and what to do?

A short circuit can occur when electricity follows a path that was not supposed to go down. This path creates an electrical connection where there shouldn't be one, causing the circuit breakers to trip and the fuses to blow. You may also hear the popping sound like a short circuit.

When you have a short circuit, it is essential to investigate the cause immediately as this electrical failure could mean that there are serious problems such as molten wires, damage to the circuit or a short circuit can even trigger an electrical fire.

1. Review your switches and GFCIs

Before you start thinking about the worst when you have a short, start by doing a review of your circuit breakers and GFCI sockets. These electrical devices are designed to interrupt the flow of electricity in the event of an overload or if the electricity does not flow properly.

You can start with the circuit breaker panel and see if one of your circuits has moved to the off position. If you have tagged areas in your home that are connected to the broken circuit, you will be able to know where to start looking for problems. Common areas are kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, as these areas often have appliances that draw a lot of energy that blows the circuit.

As for the GFCI sockets located in the kitchen and bathrooms, you can simply see if they are ticked, just like you would your switches. Your problematic GFCI circuit may be external, so be sure to check there.

2. Look for obvious damage

How to spot a short circuit
Resource: Flickr

Before returning power to the circuit or to the GFCI, it may be better to disconnect all the devices connected to the area where the circuit has tripped. In this way, you will be able to see if the plug hides damage, such as burn marks around the socket, and check if the appliance's wires have been damaged by the pulse of electricity.

After everything is unplugged, you can look for other signs of electrical damage that may indicate a more serious electrical problem. Some things to look for are:

  1. Strange smells like burnt or melted plastic
  2. Buzzing or crackling
  3. Heat on or around the socket
  4. Discoloration around the point of sale or the lamp

If you ever see, hear or smell any of these signals, you will likely need our electrical services. We can help you with troubleshooting and repairing most electrical problems in your home.

3. Check if the circuit is overloaded, then reset

If you have not found any visible signs of damage to take care of, you can reset the switch or the shorted socket. We recommend that you reset the switch or the GFCI socket before reconnecting things.

With the switch, make sure it is completely off before turning it back on to the "ON" position. Sometimes, when the switches trip, they only go partially to the “OFF” position, making it difficult to reactivate them. If you turn it back on and it stays on, it is likely that the switch has been overloaded by an appliance or something else connected.

With a tripped GFCI socket, a small button will pop out. To restore the grip, all you have to do is press the button to restore it. If there is a persistent problem that you can't see, the GFCI button may not come back.

Be careful when plugging appliances back into sockets. If the GFCI socket or circuit becomes overloaded again when the devices are turned on, things will need to be rearranged to avoid overloading the circuit.

4. Electrician Manchester intervention for problem solving

Should you encounter a problem identifying the source of the electrical short or find that your circuits are not resetting, you can always call Electrician Manchester.

We offer an electrical troubleshooting phone service that can help you solve your electrical problem without having to schedule an electrician to go out. One of the licensed electricians can walk you through the troubleshooting process and see if the problem can be solved with a little help from us. However, if the electrical problem is serious or you do not feel comfortable going further with telephone assistance, you can always call one of the electricians to come to you.

We are constantly up to date with the latest technologies in order to always offer the best and safest service possible. All this to guarantee customers professionalism and safety in every situation presented! Call us today at our dedicated number 01613941078 and you will have us at your service for any type of intervention.

Call 01613941078 

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