Household electrical troubleshooting

 Household electrical troubleshooting can be a serious headache. Between sockets that suddenly stop working and flickering lights, many homeowners don't know where to start when faced with electrical problems. Fortunately, most electrical problems in the home are fairly easy to solve. Here is a quick guide on how to solve the most common household electrical problems and how to get the system back up and running in no time.

Socket stops working

There are many reasons why a socket can stop working. The first thing to check is the presence of surge protection on the socket itself. If it has not tripped, the next point to check is the breaker box. If there is no tripped switch in the box, it is possible that one of the socket wires has come loose. Before investigating further, turn off the breaker of that socket to avoid accidents or booms from the wires. The wires pushed on the back of sockets and switches can come loose over time. To solve the problem, remove the cover plate and socket from the wall. If you notice loose wires, pull them out and attach them to the terminals on the side of the socket. The terminal screws will hold the wires tighter and prevent them from coming loose.

Over lighting

Over-lighting occurs when a high-power bulb is used in a low-power appliance. Not only is this a violation of the code, it is also a very dangerous situation. The heat from the bulb can melt the wires in the fixture, causing an electric arc and a fire. To solve this problem, only use bulbs approved for the fixture. 

Flickering lights

If the interior lights flicker every time it is windy outside, it is likely that the wires of the outer fitting, also known as the weather head, are frayed. Wind gusts move and displace the worn wires, causing an unstable connection and arcing. Flickering lights can be quite annoying, but are also a potential fire hazard. 

Circuit overload

There are a few reasons why the circuit breaker may trip. Connecting too many high-wattage devices is an easy way to trip a circuit breaker, as is overloading circuit boards. Many homes, regardless of the date of construction, are not equipped to handle large amounts of power in one place. This is a problem if, for example, a large entertainment centre has to be connected with multiple power cables. In addition to adding more sockets to the switch, one solution is to disconnect electrical devices that are not used regularly.

Call the Emergency Electrician in Bristol. After your call, we send to you the right electrician. Besides that, we are 24 hours available. Contact us now, 01174090461.