5 Common Household Electrical Faults You Should Know About

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Need help with your home’s electrical system? You are certainly not alone in such struggles. Many homeowners experience common electrical faults, such as flickering lights, warm wall switches, and no power.  This article will provide information about the top 5 common electrical faults that commonly occur in households and solutions to fix them.  We’ll cover everything from lights that flicker to a strange smell. So, if you have any electrical issues, keep reading to learn more!

1. Lights That Flicker

Lights that flicker are one of the most common electrical faults in households that can be very alarming. Several different factors can cause flickering lights. Your electrical system may be experiencing a serious issue, which should be addressed right away.

There are several causes for flickering lights within households ranging from overloaded circuits and wires with loose connections to faulty light bulbs and power surges caused by lightning strikes near power lines supplying electricity to homes. Whatever the cause, you must find the root of it quickly. Appropriate measures may be taken accordingly, either through repairs or preventive measures such as surge protectors, depending on what issue you’re dealing with today!

2. Only Some Lights On

One of the most common electrical problems in the home is when only some lights are working. Identifying what causes such a problem can be difficult and frustrating for anyone. To help you narrow down the cause, let’s explore five common causes of having only some lights on.

  • Loose connections are often a culprit when it comes to only some lights being on. This can happen if any recent work has been done on the wiring or an appliance has recently been moved or installed near your lighting circuit. To check for loose connections, switch off all power at the circuit breaker and inspect each connection point – switches, plugs and light fittings – for any signs of wear or damage that may have caused a loose connection.
  • Faulty wiring is another common reason some lights won’t turn on while others do. Consulting a professional electrician is necessary if you suspect your wiring might be faulty. The specialist will be able to identify and correct the problem safely.
  • Fuse box issues. If you find that only some lights are working but cannot locate any other obvious causes, it could be related to your fuse box or circuit breakers. Fuses will periodically blow due to overloading or faulty electrical appliances. However, they can easily be replaced with spares from most hardware stores. But if this doesn’t resolve the issue, you may have a more severe problem with your fuse box, which will need professional attention from an electrician.
  • Outdated technology. If you live in an older property, then it could be possible that outdated technology is causing your light issues. Older properties often use fuses instead of modern circuit breakers, which means that they may not be able to handle current electrical demands and so cause only some lights to work while others don’t at all times.
  • Overload protection devices. Overload protection devices are designed to protect against overloading circuits but can sometimes malfunction, leading to intermittent power supply problems like having only some lights working. In contrast, others don’t work at all times. If this could be an issue, it’s best to call in a qualified electrician who can identify and replace these types of devices safely and correctly without putting anyone at risk from electrocution hazards etc.

3. Warm Wall Switch

Warm wall switches are another common source of electrical faults in the home. A warm switch occurs when a circuit breaker has been tripped, and the switch plate becomes hot to the touch due to an overload of current. This can be caused by too much power being drawn through one circuit or by a short circuit drawing too much current between two wires. To check for a warm wall switch, turn off all power at the breaker box and then feel each switch plate with your hand for any warmth or heat. If it is warm, you have identified the source of the problem.

To fix this issue, it is first essential to identify which circuit is drawing too much current by flipping each breaker off and on until you find what causes the warm wall switch. If you know which circuit is causing the problem, an electrician can determine what needs to be done.

4. No Power

This is one of the most frustrating electrical faults to experience in the home. It can be caused by various issues, from a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse to loose wiring connections or overloaded circuits. To diagnose the cause, check your circuit breaker and replace any blown fuses. If that doesn’t solve the issue, disconnect all appliances from their outlets and check each outlet with a voltage tester for proper power supply. If you find no power at an outlet, you may need to inspect the wiring.

In addition to loose wires or overloaded circuits, no power can also be caused by bad wiring connections in junction boxes or switches. Inspecting these connections with a voltage tester can help identify if this is the cause of your problem. If you find corrosion on the connection points or signs of wear and tear, a qualified electrician should replace them with new wiring as soon as possible.

5. Smell

If you detect a fishy smell coming from a wall socket or switch, it could be a sign of a dangerous situation. This is because arcing, or a damaged electrical connection, can cause a small fire that can cause irreparable damage to the socket and the device itself.  Professional assistance must be called upon for your family’s safety to identify and resolve the matter correctly. It is crucial to unplug malfunctioning devices immediately to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Final Thoughts

Awareness of common household electrical faults and how to prevent them is essential. A qualified handyman should perform regular maintenance, which is crucial to safety and efficiency. For safety measures, turn off the circuit breaker before making any repairs and inspect all connections for wear or damage. An experienced electrician should only assess faulty wiring, as incorrect wiring can lead to severe hazards, including fire risk. Do not take the risk. Call a professional!

Jeff Campbell
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