There are all kinds of electrical problems that can occur throughout our homes. Some of them can be safeguarded against by taking certain protective measures. Below are some of the most common household electrical problems and how to prevent them.
Power outages
Power outages are often the result of problems outside of your home. A line may have been damaged by a storm or there may be a local power station issue. There’s not anything you can do to prevent such problems, however, you can take measures to keep your electricity running if your mains power is cut off. A backup generator is useful to have during a power cut – you can use this to keep powering your home until the problem is fixed. You can learn more about backup generators here. This could be anything from a petrol generator to a solar generator.
Circuit breaker trips
Circuit breaker trips are caused by individual circuits within your home getting overloaded. Usually, a circuit breaker trip can be pinpointed to a single outlet or appliance – typically one that is old or faulty. Having GFCI outlets installed can ensure outlets are shut off automatically when too much current is detected. Replacing old outlets and appliances can also help to prevent circuit breaker trips (if you’ve already noticed that an appliance such as a microwave or toaster trips the circuit every time it is used, replace that appliance immediately). You should also avoid operating too many appliances out of one outlet, such as multiple appliances plugged into a multi-socket extension.
Surges, sags and dips
Too much or not enough electrical current may result in surges, sags, and dips. Surges can damage appliances and outlets and even pose a fire risk. These are often contrasted by sags and dips in which lights may temporarily dim or appliances may momentarily turn off and back on. Like circuit breaker trips (which often accompany surges), the best thing you can do to prevent them is to not overload circuits – avoid plugging too many appliances into a single socket and replace old outlets and appliances. Lightning during a storm also causes power surges. If your home has been hit by lightning before and it has caused damage to appliances, you may want to consider unplugging all appliances before a storm.
Dead outlets
Over time, outlets can wear away and eventually stop working. This includes sockets and light fittings. Replacing these fittings early can prevent them from going dead. You’ll usually get some warning – a light may flicker even after replacing the bulb or appliances may turn off when plugged into outlets. Dead outlets may still receive current and could be a fire risk, so it’s worth replacing them.
High electrical bills
High electricity bills can occur for all kinds of reasons. It could be that you’ve got power-hungry appliances or it could be because you’ve got an electrical leak. If you’ve got very old appliances, it’s probably the former issue. Many older appliances aren’t as energy-efficient and can become more power-hungry as they wear – replacing these appliances could instantly reduce your energy bills. If this isn’t the cause, consider whether you’ve got an electrical leak. An electrician will be able to pinpoint this.
