Signs of overloaded circuits that you need to know about

 

Nowadays, electricity is a basic necessity for every household, but it can also cause problems, especially if you don't follow standards and guidelines. Have you ever noticed the lights dimming frequently or a buzzing sound coming from a socket? If so, then your circuit is overloaded. This happens when there is too much current flowing through your home's electrical wiring. When the current exceeds the capacity of the wiring, the likelihood of a mishap increases.

Signs that the circuit is overloaded

Imagine it's a cold night, and you're sleeping with all your tech devices plugged in. To combat the cold, you suddenly plug your heater into the socket. This puts more strain on your electrical system, which may be signalling before things get out of hand. 

Frequent tripping of circuit breakers

The circuit breaker will trip if you draw too much current from the circuit to prevent potential damage. So if you are already using full capacity and plug in the heater, the circuit breaker will trip. To counteract this excessive current, the circuit breaker is tripped for the safety of the occupants and other appliances. There can be many other reasons for tripping the circuit, but overloading is the most important.

Hot or discoloured wall plates

When a higher voltage flows through a circuit, usually higher than its capacity, the wall plates become hot. If this problem is left unattended, it can even lead to discolouration of these panels, which can cause further damage. If you notice such signs, call the electrician and have the electrics repaired immediately to avoid disaster.

Dimming the light

Frequent dimming of lights is one of the main signs that indicate an overloaded circuit. There may also be other reasons, such as power interruptions in the central power grid. But flashing, flickering or dimming - these are all signs that your load is exceeding its limits. Before things get out of hand, reduce the load and call in an electrician for electrical services to avoid danger. 

Burning odour

When the load exceeds a certain limit, the wires usually get hot and the outlets start to develop a burning odour.   

Slight electrical shock

If your circuit has exceeded the optimum voltage limits of the electrical wiring, you may get a slight electric shock from the connected appliances or from switches or sockets. 

Can you avoid an overload yourself?

It is not complicated to check for overloads, but it is strongly recommended that you never touch electrical equipment without proper safety equipment. If you have the necessary equipment but not sufficient knowledge and experience, you should avoid tackling these problems yourself.

Call the Emergency Electrician in Warrington. We are available around the clock. Call us now, 01925941147.