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Home Improvement

Top 8 Most Common Electrical Problems at Home

Living in a modern home, almost everything is powered by electricity. Behind our walls, ceilings, even floors are wires that bring power to our appliances. If not managed well, they are potential dangers to yourself and your family. It’s crucial electrical concerns are identified and act on immediately before things get worse. Below is a list of common problems related to electricity that you may encounter in your homes.

1.Flickering or blinking lights

Typical ceiling lights would flicker if it is not receiving consistent power. It can be due to the light bulb not properly placed in the socket which you can fix with ease. If the light bulb is secured correctly in the socket, the cause could be a loose connection or voltage changes.

2. Frequent replacement of light bulbs

Some possible causes of quick burnouts of light bulbs are:

  • Higher home voltage – bulb lights brighter resulting to shorter lifespan
  • Vibration – some lights are installed in places that experience high vibration such as ceiling fans. Use a rough service light bulb.
  • Insulation – light bulb is too close to the insulation. More heat means flickering light resulting in faster burnout. The remedy is to use light bulbs designed to function close to insulation.

Other causes include use of a wrong type of bulb and bad wiring on the circuit or main. Safety reminder, make sure the light bulbs you’re using have regulatory compliance marks.

3. Circuit breaker tripping frequently

This happens when you are using electricity beyond what the circuit is designed for. The circuit breaker cuts the power off to avoid overloading. When this happens, reduce the use of power boards and unplug unused devices. Spread electrical use to around the home to avoid heavy load on a single circuit. Set the settings of your appliances to lower power requirements.

If you’re already using electricity at the bare minimum, you should consider additional circuits, rewiring, and upgrade to your circuit breaker. This is recommended if you’re living in an older home designed for lower electrical consumption.

4. Light switches not working properly

Use of substandard products and shoddy installation are two common causes for faulty light switches. The only solution is to have duly licensed tradesman remedy this by either repair or replacement.

5. Electrical shocks

Typical electrical shocks experienced at home are mild but nasty. This could be due to the appliance or the wires in your home. Identify the source by using other appliances in the same outlet. If you don’t want to experience the shock again, call your trusted electrician.

6. High electricity bills

If you’re constantly getting higher electricity bills, try using energy-efficient alternatives. If consumption is still rising, your home could be suffering from damaged wires. Have them checked and replaced as needed.

7. Strange odour from powerpoint or switch

If you suspect the burnt smell is coming from a switch or power point, stop its use immediately. The smell could be caused by electrical arcing which risks electrical fires. Call your electrician and have it inspected.

8. Buzzing sound in dimmer switches

Sometimes humming or buzzing sounds are heard in dimmer switches. Use lower wattage or rough service light bulbs in such cases. If this does not address the concern, have a dimmer replacement.

In resolving electrical problems, it is crucial that the work is delegated to licensed professionals. In Australia alone, an average of 11 workers die each year due to contact with electricity. Beyond bulb replacement and plugging/unplugging appliances, don’t DIY your electrical fixes. Hire electrical contractors to address your concerns.