As homeowners, it’s hard to stay on top of every single problem in your house— especially when the problems are inside the walls and out of sight. However, there are clues to look for that tell you if there’s an electrical problem in your home.
Sometimes they’re loud and easily noticeable, like an outlet popping, or a breaker that trips when you use your microwave. Other issues are less noticeable. In this article, we’ll cover 6 possible electrical issues, so you can tell if you have any electrical issues in your home.
Flickering lights are caused by a few things. The most common is a loose electrical connection. This could be as simple as a loose light bulb or plug. Multiple lights flickering could be caused by a large appliance starting up, like an air conditioner.
In that case, it may be time to get an air conditioning tune up. If the lights in your entire house are flickering, then the issue might actually be in the breaker box of your home.
Most electrical appliances will generate some heat when in use. However, if you find the outlet itself getting hot, you could have a problem. If you notice excess heat coming from an outlet or switch cover plate, disconnect any plugs in an outlet, and turn off switches. The safest option is to stop using that outlet or switch until you can troubleshoot the issue.
However, dimmer switches can be the exception. It’s common for them to be warmer than other types of switches. Dimmers actively hold back energy and create resistance in order to control the amount of light. With that said, even dimmer switch cover plates should never be uncomfortably hot to touch. To learn more about outlet issues, check out this article.
If you detect a burning smell coming from a plug, outlet, or breaker box, you should take immediate action.
First, find out where the smell is coming from. Then cut power to that circuit by flipping the breaker, unplug anything connected to it, and get the issue resolved quickly. If you aren’t comfortable addressing the issue yourself, reach out to a professional ASAP!
Well-organized internal wiring doesn’t function better than messy wiring. But sloppy wiring can be a red flag of rushed electrical work.
So, if you notice tangled lines or a junction box that looks like a big mess, it would be a good idea to look at the rest of the wiring and circuits in your home.
If you feel a shock when flipping a switch in your home, that’s a sign the electrical system might not be properly grounded. You might notice it when you touch a switch for a lamp or ceiling fan. You could also feel it from metal things like your pipes or ductwork.
To avoid confusion, these shocks are more intense than static electricity you feel pulling laundry out of the dryer. If your electrical service is ungrounded but has three-prong receptacles, you won’t be grounding the appliances that need it.
If you’d like to have your electrical system evaluated by a professional, call to have an Electrical Inspection done on your home
