Electrical issues can be frightening as they can pose serious threats to lives and property. There are plenty of issues that can arise when dealing with electricity. High bills and flickering lights overloading are some of the signs that there is something wrong with your electrical system.
We have rounded up the ten most common electrical issues and how electricians Inner West respond right here.
1. Flickering Lights
The most common electrical concern in the Inner west are flickering lights. If you notice that your lights are flickering or one is dimmer than the others, there are two possible causes. It is either they are using electricity at a different wattage, or the main power source is experiencing some technical issues.
The solution: According to electricians in the Inner West, it is not dangerous to use lights of different wattages. If the difference in brightness bothers you, change the bulb to the same wattage as others. However, if the problem is on the power panel, you need to contact a local electrician to check it out.
2. Frequent Electrical Surges
There are many causes for electrical surges. It could be lightning, faulty appliances, damage to the power lines, or poor electrical wiring. The surge does not last long and could be in a microsecond. But it can damage the electrical devices connected to your home and shorten their life expectancy if the surges are often.
The solution: Call a professional electrician in the Inner West to check on the cause of the electrical surge. In the meantime, try removing cheaply made devices from the outlets to prevent surges.
3. Dead Outlets and Switches
Power outlets and switches can wear out and not function any longer. It is usually visible with signs of discoloration and inability to hold a plug, you need to have them replaced immediately. If more outlets go dead for no apparent reason and the lights go out, the reason could be a tripped GFCI outlet in some unseen location. When it trips, it cuts the power to any branch circuit connected to its load terminals.
The solution: Since you may not be able to locate the GFCI immediately, find it first to reset the device. It will restore the power to the other outlets. If this does not work, call your trusted electrician to investigate and provide the necessary solution.
4. Tripping Breakers
Circuit breakers are installed as safety devices to prevent electrocution and fires. When it trips, it serves as a warning that something is wrong. One of the primary causes of tripping circuit breakers is the overloading of the power boards. The majority of houses and dwellings, even the newly-built, do have not enough power points to accommodate the burgeoning number of appliances and devices it has. If there is frequent tripping on your circuit breaker, it could be due to power overload.
The solution: You can prevent circuit overload by avoiding connecting many devices in one series. Unplug any devices that are not in use (they are power vampires even when not connected). Spread the electrical needs around the house so as not to overburden a single circuit.
On top of these, you need an electrician in the Inner West to solve your electrical issue. After analyzing your electrical requirements, he will give recommendations to address the demand for electricity in your home
5. Sags and Dips in Power
Power fluctuations are like electrical surges. It can be caused by the devices connected to the power grid. They can be faulty or made with substandard materials, which draw a significant amount of electricity when you turn them on. As a result sags and dips can occur.
The solution: You can improve your lighting and reduce your electricity usage by calling an electrician to get your power checked. An expert electrician can also identify the equipment causing the sags and dips. He will recommend replacement or repair of the device as needed.
6. Lights are too dim or too bright
In some cases, the lights seem to be excessively bright in some parts of the house while others are dim. There are two possible causes for this. The lights could be of different wattages. As you all know, lights are offered in varying wattages, and the higher the wattage, the brighter it gets. The second reason could be that of a bad main connection.
The solution: If you observe that the lights in your property are dimmer or brighter than the others and it affects you, simply change the odd one for a bulb of the same wattage as the rest. However, if the problem persists, you need to seek help from a professional electrician to check on the problem.
7. Electrical Shocks
Have you experienced electrical shocks when you try to turn on or off a light switch? Electrical shocks can be nasty. Although it is pretty mild and negligible, it is a sign that there is an electrical problem or you have faulty wiring on your property. You can check if this is plausible by trying plugging in a different device. If you experience the same, then it is positive.
The solution: Don’t take risks. Call an electrician in the Inner West immediately to check!
8. High Electricity Bills
There are many culprits to exorbitant electricity bills. It could be because of a damaged wire, electrical system leakage, damaged circuitry, or an obsolete electrical gadget.
The solution: You can reduce your electricity bills by switching to more energy-efficient alternatives. Unplug or switch off appliances when not using them. Call an electrician to repair damaged wires and cables and more importantly, identify the possible sources of power surges.
9. Overloading
One of the leading causes of overloading is using a high wattage bulb to a low voltage receptacle. This is a potential threat to your safety because excessive heat from the bulb can lead to the melting of the socket and even its wire insulation. This can result in electrical fires. Plus, it is a clear violation of the building code. You will get a hefty fine if the officials find out.
The solution: Change the bulb and make sure that it is the appropriate one. If you are not sure about the wattage capacity of the fixture, stick to a 60-watt bulb or lower.
10. Overloaded Circuit Panel
The electrical panel is designed to contain a specific number of circuit breakers. Each of them perfectly fits into the slot. The tandem breaker looks like two switches and should be fitted in two slots. You can have an electrical issue if it is fitted into a single slot instead of two. Overloaded circuit panels can cause fire and severe harm.
The solution: Call an electrician to improve the load capacity of your electrical panel or install a sub-panel if needed. It ensures that you are compliant with the electrical code.
