Lifestyle

7 Common Electrical Wiring Problems and their Solutions

Many electrical wiring problems around our homes are traced to different versions of the same essential problems: improper wire connections or faulty electrical accessories and equipment. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical fires at residential homes account for nearly 51,000 fire breakouts each year, causing property damages of $1.3 Billion.

Wires remain under a constant cycle of expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling, which results in the loosening of wire connections over time. Despite having safeguards like circuit breakers, grounding systems, GFCI, AFCI, etc., there lie possibilities of a spark of arcing happening wherever there is a loose wire connection.

Many of these issues are easy to recognize and repair with the help of an electrician and can be ignored by using high-quality devices offered by trusted suppliers like top electrical accessories manufacturers in India. In this post, we will discuss six common wiring problems and their solutions to prevent electrical mishaps in your home.

1. Circuit Breakers

Modern homes are built with circuit breakers to prevent electrical circuits from damage caused by short circuits or overloads. Circuit breakers usually trip and turn off automatically, signifying an overload or faulty wiring. In case a circuit breaker turns off on its own, all you have to do is put the switch back.

And if the circuit breaker continues to turn off frequently, you might be overloading its safety capacity, i.e., you are using too many high-power demanding appliances. In that case, consider keeping the load in check or using the best extension cord in India offered by Lyter if you are looking to run more appliances from the same outlet.

2. Sparks

Electricity sparks are one of the most common yet ignored signs of a faulty wiring system. If you notice a spark happening in a breaker panel or fuse box, then do not try to inspect it on your own.

Instead, get a trained electrician to deal with it. However, if you notice a sparking appliance, it means that the appliance itself is damaged. In that case, you should call an appliance repair professional. Also, if your appliance is new and under the warranty period, you can even get it repaired for free.

3. Buzzing Noise

When your home has no electrical wiring problems, electricity flows smoothly and quietly between connections without making any noise. Things like fraying wires, loose wiring, and faulty outlets may hamper the flow of current, resulting in a buzzing sound. Once you are able to identify the outlet making that buzz, stop using it and call for an electrician to fix the problem.

4. Suspicious Odours

In case you are able to detect an unusual burning, smoky and odd smell coming from any outlet, turn it off and unplug any appliance connected to it. We recommend getting it checked by an electrician before using it again. To divide the load on a particular outlet, you can consider using extensions supplied by Lyter, the best extension cord in India.

5. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Water is a conductor of electricity, so wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens require particular shock-resistant outlets known as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These circuit breakers are identified by two small buttons at the center. If you are still using the same GFCIs in your living room and bathrooms, switch to GFCIs immediately to avoid getting any shocks.

6. Hot Switch Plates or Outlets

Electronic appliances that require high energy may make a switch plate slightly warm, but if the outlet is uncomfortably hot, turn off the switch and remove the plugged-in device. Please note that the outlet powering the appliance should never become hot, even if appliances, like a toaster, produce heat.

If you witness the outlet going hot even when any appliance isn’t plugged in, it may be wired incorrectly. In that case, look for an electrician who may service your circuit system to make it functional again.

7. Dimming or Flickering Lights

Last but not least, flickering or dimming lights is among common electrical wiring problems in your system. If you notice such symptoms when you turn on your lights or while using other appliances, now is the time to upgrade your home’s wiring system. And for the best electronic accessories and fixtures, look no further than Lyter, a name known for supplying top-notch electronic accessories in India.

Conclusion

Electrical wiring issues are very common in households, and if left unchecked, they can result in fires or other fatal mishaps. It is always advisable to be aware of such issues and take necessary precautions to prevent them. By identifying warning signs like suspicious odors, sparks, buzzing sounds, hot switch plate outlets, and dimming lights, you can take the necessary steps to prevent potential accidents.

You can also consider buying good-quality electrical products and accessories from trusted electrical accessories manufacturers in India like Lyter. With a huge range of products like pendant holders, multi plugs, power strips, ceiling roses, batten holders, and a lot more, Lyter is known for its unparalleled quality and performance.