Before discuss the summer storm electrical problems, here’s a brief little history of the origins of electrical use. Electricity was first discovered in the 1800s strictly for vital purposes. Over the course of a few decades, the world was dependent on it. Almost everything in life now runs on electricity. However, with every crucial innovation comes the risk of abuse. Electricity is no different and the consequences of mishandling can be fatal and damaging.
Of course, the electrical issues we are talking about here are not the petty ones like having a busted charger or lamp but the real and hazardous electrical problems that might have been lurking within your house’s walls that can potentially cause escalating damages to your property if not thoroughly inspected and treated by a licensed electrician in Arvada.
Studies have listed a few most common pressing electrical problems at home that are best and safest handled by an expert. On that note, as soon as you come across either of these, do not hesitate to call an Arvada electrician right away:
1. ELECTRICAL SURGES
When do surges really happen?
Surges are a product of any spike of electrical charge within the power lines that escalate up to residential electrical outlets. The two most common potential causes of an electrical surge are damaged power lines and summer storms or lightning. With about one billion volts of electricity that a single lightning volt can produce, lightning is fearfully considered as an electrical troublemaker.
Now if the surge has nothing to do with the abovementioned culprits, it may indicate a presence of faulty wiring or appliance issue. In such cases, the best thing to do is shut off the circuit breaker right away, unplug your appliances one by one and then wait for an electrician to carry out the inspection and necessary fixes.
2. POWER SAGS
When it comes to power sags and dips, appliances are usually the culprit, causing intermittent voltage drops. They usually last in a blink of an eye, i.e. you will notice your lights dying and brightening again. Also known as brown-outs, power sags take place when the current is no longer able to draw enough current for large appliances that are running simultaneously. Sometimes, an outdated electric panel or outdated and faulty wiring can start the damage.
3. OVERLOADED CIRCUIT
This happens when the amount of current flowing in the circuit exceeds what the device or appliance can handle. This may sound like less of a threat but if the overloading reaches a point of melting the socket and insulation in the wires, a spark might happen which can lead to fire without an immediate solution.
Your trusted electrician would advise you to use appliances or lamps with the right wattage to avoid circuit overloading. Also, it’s advised to avoid plugging in too many irons and hair dryers at once as they can also cause an overload. However, if the problems persist despite your preventive efforts, it could be a sign of an underlying electrical issue. When this happens, hiring a professional electrician is the safest and smartest decision to make.
4. OVERCIRCUITED PANEL
Panels are designed to handle a particular number of circuit breakers. You would know how many panels you will need depending on your house’s maximum load capacity which can be determined by adding up the wattage of all your bulbs and appliances. That said, an overloaded panel or a panel that has too many circuits is considered a fire and health hazard.
Some people try to cheat on the system by installing a tandem breaker in a slot to save money. This is actually a code violation. To avoid fines and eradicate the hazardous risks, call an electrician right away to install a sub-panel that can handle a bigger load.
5. FREQUENTLY TRIPPING CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Breakers are designed to break and shut the entire power supply off if they detect too much or irregular electricity flowing through the circuit. While a breaker tripping protects a household from fire and other electrical hazards, a frequently tripping circuit breaker clearly indicates a potential electrical issue that still has to be addressed. An initial solution would be to refrain plugging appliances from the same source. However, if the problem persists, it could be due to a faulty wiring or a pressing issue underneath the panel. Do not hesitate to call your trusted, local electrical service in Arvada if you are caught in the same situation.
6. ELECTRICAL SHOCKS
Although not definite, there has been a claim that old homes with old electrical systems are more susceptible to electrical shock incidents because of their likelihood of having poor insulations or ungrounded wiring. Fortunately, electrical systems built today have to be compliant with the standard electrical codes which make the modern buildings more resilient to shocks.
If your home was built in the last twenty years, you can check whether you are safe from this electrical issue or not by plugging another small appliance to one of your non-empty outlets. Here’s how it is done; if you get shocked after turning it on, then the shock is most likely wiring-related. On the other hand, if you do not get shocked after turning the appliance on, then most likely it is your appliance that is faulty.
7. UNCOVERED JUNCTION BOXES
This issue is one of the most dangerous potential issues beneath your walls. A single junction box is installed during your house’s construction phase or during an electrical upgrade. As it houses various wires, leaving it uncovered can pose serious fire and health risks with more exposure to electrical shocks.
Call your trusted electrician to have your junction boxes covered. It is something you should not deal with on your own if you do not have the right knowledge, skills, and tools.
8. OUTLET SHORTAGE
Shortage of power outlets usually pushes people to use extension wires or outlet extenders which has always been discouraged by fire bureaus as they are only best as a temporary fix because of their hazardous design and exposure.
Extension cords may seem like a cheaper and viable alternative compared to installing new power outlets but the latter is actually a lot safer and more efficient, outweighing its cons.
Give us a call at ElectriCall! We are a team of professional electricians who have the expert knowledge and skills to get the job done correctly. Address these common electrical issues with quality, reliability, and affordability; call ElectriCall today!