Electrical problems can be frightening, but most of them have relatively simple solutions. Some electrical issues can be even be fixed by homeowners themselves. Here's what you need to know about troubleshooting common electrical problems.
Problem 1: Flickering Lights When Appliances Kick On
Lights dim when appliances kick on because the appliances are draining the power from the circuit. This could be a sign that your appliance needs a dedicated circuit, or that your household electrical panel isn't providing enough electrical service to your home. Either way, contact a qualified electrician to check the service breaker and provide service if needed.
Problem 2: Never Enough Outlets in the Room
A long time ago, homes were built with fewer electrical outlets than they are now. If you live in an older home, you may find yourself stretching extension cords around the room to plug in your many modern electronic devices. Extension cords can cause household fires, get in the way during cleaning, and cause trips and falls. The only good solution is to install more outlets. Talk to your electrician to solve this problem.
Problem 3: Circuit Breaker Trips (or Fuse Blows!) Frequently
You should only trip circuit breakers when you draw too much power into one circuit. If this happens regularly, then you've got too many appliances, devices and light fixtures drawing power on a single circuit. You may be able to fix this by unplugging some devices and plugging them back into outlets in other rooms. If that's not a sustainable solution, talk to your licensed electrician to replace the circuit or install a new electrical panel in your home.
Problem 4: Open Junction Box
Junction boxes protect people from electrical wiring that has been spliced together. An open junction box could potentially lead to electrocution, if someone were to reach inside. You can solve this problem on your own by installing covers on your open junction boxes. The cost of a cover is minimal, and installation can be done by anyone with a screwdriver.
However, if you're not able to find covers that fit the junction boxes in your home, you may need to hire a licensed electrician to install all new junction boxes. Live, unprotected wires are dangerous, so work with your electrician to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Contact Your Licensed Electrician Today
Home electrical problems can cause fires, injuries and even deaths if they're not addressed quickly and properly. If you're a homeowner in need of electrical work, contact a reputable licensed electrician in your area today. Your electrician can assess your electrical system and make any repairs necessary to fix the problem. At Patnode Electric, we provide electrical services ranging from electrical panel replacement to re-wiring. Call today to make an appointment.
