Recognising faulty electrical wiring

 

Damaged, outdated and poorly installed electrical wiring is a serious problem that should be rectified as soon as possible. Every year, there are at least a thousand cases of house fires caused by faulty wiring. Unfortunately, in such cases, homeowners often face expensive repairs and hospital bills. If you know the signs of an electrical problem, you may be able to prevent a dangerous situation. If you recognise faulty wiring early enough, you can avoid the risk of devastating fires and make your home a safer and better place. You'll also save yourself the inconvenience caused by the erratic performance of electrical appliances.

Even if you are able to fix some of these symptoms of faulty wiring yourself, it is always advisable to rely on the knowledge and experience of a professional to help you solve your electrical problems. 

Look out for chewed or frayed cables:

It is common for pets or rodents to interfere with wiring. If you discover frayed or chewed cables in your home, you should act quickly and hire an electrician to repair them. Because this small problem can lead to major electric shocks and fire hazards.

Does your circuit breaker keep tripping?

It is quite normal for your circuit breaker to trip. After all, that's what they're designed for. And in most cases, you should simply switch it on and everything will be fine. However, if the circuit breaker is failing and tripping regularly, it's a sure sign that you have a deeper and potentially dangerous problem with your home's electrical system. Don't hesitate to contact a local electrician for a professional diagnosis.

Flickering and dimming lights are a clear sign of faulty wiring:

If your light flickers when you use a microwave, hair dryer or radiant heater, it's usually nothing to worry about. However, if the problem occurs repeatedly, it may be a sign of a more serious electrical problem. Dimming or flickering lights may mean that there are loose electrical connections in your sockets or switchboard. Loose electrical connections are known to cause arcing, which occurs when electrical sparks "jump" from one connection to another. Arcing is one of the leading causes of electrical fires, which means you need to contact your local electrical service for immediate diagnosis and repair.

Are there visible signs of burning, discolouration or smoke in your wiring?

Closely inspect the outlets in your home. If there is discolouration or traces of smoke on the sockets, this could be a tell-tale sign that the electrical wiring in your home is faulty. Simply put, this means that some sections of your home wiring are leaking heat! If left unattended, this can easily develop into a much worse problem. With due diligence, you should seek out a qualified and experienced electrician to inspect your wiring and repair it accordingly.

Is your home's electrical system properly grounded?

In a typical modern home, almost every part of the electrical system is grounded. This means that the electrical system in question has an uninterrupted connection to earth outside the house. In the event of an electrical fault, such as a short circuit, the electrical energy is safely channelled to earth via the earthing system. So is this dangerous? Yes, it can be very dangerous! If you live in an old house, you should take precautions and have the electrical wiring system upgraded to ensure that it has an earthing system. 

Call the Emergency Electrician in Brighton. We are available around the clock. Call us now, 01273004108.