Faulty electrical systems can cause a variety of problems. From becoming a fire hazard or short-circuiting electrical equipment to just being embarrassing. Electrical issues can be dangerous. They’re not something you should ignore. You need assistance from the best electrician in Loveland, CO.
However, how do you know if you have an electrical problem or just need to change the lightbulb? We’re looking at some signs that your home is having electrical problems.
Tripping Breakers
When electrical devices are pulling too much electricity through the wires at a time, circuit breakers will trip. However, it is usually rare for a household to trip its circuit breakers. This usually happens when you’re plugging in too many high-powered devices simultaneously.
When your circuit breaker trips regularly, this may signal that your home isn’t receiving enough electrical power. This is causing your breaker box to overload pretty much every time a device powers on. Older homes are probably going to need an electrical upgrade. While it can be pricey, it also eliminates your electrical problems.
Flickering lights
There are a variety of reasons lights can flicker. No, we’re not talking about the lights at a club. If you have a single flickering light, it is typically a signal of a wiring problem in the fixture. If the light fixture flickers and buzzes simultaneously, this may indicate a fault in the arc of your wiring.
If multiple lights in your home dim or flicker when appliances start, this is a signal that your circuit breaker box can’t handle the power load. The appliance is probably drawing a large amount of power and pulling electricity from your smaller fixtures. This can lead to a dangerous overload if it’s not repaired.
This can be a common problem in older houses with dated electrical panels. Owners of older homes may want to call an electrician just to inspect their circuit breaker box’s load capacity.
You Turned Your Circuit Breaker Box Into a Fuse Box
In the past, fuse boxes worked well, but poor maintenance and old age have caused some fuse boxes to become dangerous. Adding to the problem, homeowners used to rig fuse boxes to provide additional power to specific circuits.
They did this by installing larger fuses in circuits where more power was required. This makes it easier to get additional electrical service from their fuse box.
Unfortunately, this dangerous practice can easily cause a fire. While this isn’t exactly a common problem, it can be in older homes and even smaller new builds. A qualified electrician can determine whether your fuse box needs to be upgraded to a circuit breaker box.
Hot Outlets
An outlet emitting heat indicates that the outlet plate’s wires are heating up and signals an overloaded circuit.
Have an electrician evaluate the situation if your outlet is typically warm when plugging in appliances. If it only warms up when particular appliances are plugged in, your device may require a dedicated circuit. Don’t worry, this is usually a relatively inexpensive fix.
Your Wiring System Isn’t Grounded
Your wiring system may not be grounded if it is old. For example, if you have two-prong outlets in your home, your wiring system is ungrounded. As a result, you run the risk of getting shocked every time you force three-prong appliances into an ungrounded electrical system. Not only are you risking electrical shock, but you can also start a fire.
You’re Relying on a Lot of Extension Cords
When you plug multiple extension cords into a single outlet, it is easy to overload your circuits. You likely need additional outlets if you are plugging extension cords into power strips, using them as permanent fixtures for your home, or using various extension cords in a single room.
Overloading power strips is dangerous and so is connecting multiple extension cords. Plugging two or more extension cords together for a quick task like vacuuming is usually okay. What you don’t want to do is turn the connected electrical cords into a permanent solution.
The cords are a trip and a fire hazard. A better idea is calling a Loveland electrician to install additional outlets.
Don’t Ignore Your Home’s Electrical Problems
When a light bulb suddenly goes out, it probably just needs changing. However, if your lights are flickering or dimming when an appliance is running, you need more than a new bulb. These are just a few of the signs that indicate it’s time to call a Loveland, CO, electrician.
From giving your electrical system a thorough inspection to upgrading your wiring, the professionals can keep your lights on.
