8 Signs of Electrical Problems for Which You Should Contact an Electrician in Hurst, TX Right Away
There are many signs that could indicate severe future damage to your property, which is why it is important to keep a lookout for these signs. This is especially important if they are electrical in nature. Faulty wiring and other electrical problems are areas of concern which simply cannot be ignored. You should immediately contact an electrician in Hurst, TX at the first sign of trouble.
Cost of Electrical Fires
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, around 51,000 fires are started each year due to electrical faults. This leads to around 500 deaths, over 1,400 serious injuries and about $1.3 billion damage to property.
It, therefore, makes sense to take proactive measures lest you wind up as yet another statistic. We should all take maximum care both for ourselves, our families and loved ones.
Here are the 8 signs that indicate electrical problems that you should deal with immediately:
Flickering or Dimming Lights
It is quite possible for faults in fixtures to cause dimming and flickering in lights, but this is usually quite rare. It is far more likely that too many appliances are attached to the same electric circuit. There are electric appliances that can consume a large amount of electricity such as washing machines, heaters, electrical stoves, motors, andirons.
As a precaution, you should check how many appliances are running when you notice dimming and flickering in lights. If you find that too many appliances are running at once, then you should switch them off and try running them one at a time. It is much safer to subject your electric circuits to smaller loads.
You should contact an electrician in Hurst, TX to inspect the circuit and the appliance. The electrician will first analyze the situation for the best possible solution. They might decide that it is best to shift the appliance to another circuit. They will also check to see if the right level of electrical protection is available and whether or not the power supply has been correctly configured.
Weird Smell
You might notice a strange new smell when you start using a new appliance. This smell should not last too long. You should call someone else to take notice of the smell. This way you will be completely certain that the smell is real and not just in your head.
If the smell persists for a few minutes,then you should not take any chances. It can quite possibly be the result of an electric short. In such cases, you can usually sense a stronger stench close to the electrical appliance or fuse box. Switch off the power and call an electrician in Hurst, TX just to be sure.
Hot Sockets and Switches
Hot sockets and switches should never be ignored. You should always take quick notice of any heat coming from electrical outlets. Sockets and switches can get a little warm. But it is not standard for them to become hot. Rising temperature is a definite danger sign. You should get all such electrical outlets, switches and sockets checked immediately.
Electrical outlets should not get hot even with devices that consume a high amount of electrical power such as heaters and dishwashers. You can try connecting the device to another outlet to see if it gets too hot. If the outlet is noticeably cooler, then you can be certain that there is a fault in the previous outlet. You should contact an electrician in Hurst, TX so that they can have a look and fix the outlet before it leads to any damage.
Sometimes, sockets and outlets can become warm even if no device is connected and running. This is usually due to a fault in the wiring. You should not use such electrical outlets and call an electrician in Hurst, TX immediately.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to provide electrical safety. Fuses melt and circuit breakers trip when the electrical load gets too high. This way they protect you against overloads and the possibility of damage and fires.
If you use a particular appliance and find that it frequently trips your circuit breaker, there may be a fault in the appliance. Stop using it. Get in touch with an electrician in Hurst, TX.
If you find that using a particular outlet trips your circuit breaker, then it is possible that the circuit to which the outlet is connected is overloaded. You should allow an electrician in Hurst, TX to inspect this outlet. They will be able to advise you about upgrading the circuit or adding a new one.
Weird Noises
Properly functioning electric circuits do not produce any sound. Electrical buzzing and humming sounds are not normal. These could be caused by defective appliances, faulty wiring or loose connections.
If you notice a strange electrical buzzing or humming sound when you use an appliance, you should stop using it and contact an electrician in Hurst, TX. They will tell you whether the appliance, outlet or circuit is at fault.
Improper Sockets
You should be aware of the fact that your kitchen and washrooms need electrical outlets that are different from other areas of your home. Areas that can get wet – like washrooms and kitchens have specially designed outlets called ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These special outlets are needed because water is an excellent conductor of electricity and therefore a potential source of hazard.
GFCIs can be identified easily because two buttons are located in the middle of these sockets. They are therefore quite distinct from ordinary sockets. If your washroom and kitchen sockets do not have two buttons in the middle,then you can be certain that these are the wrong electrical connections. An electrician in Hurst, TX will be able to replace your sockets with the right ones.
Too Many Extension Cords
If you use lots of extension cords, it means that your property has insufficient electrical connections. Similarly, if you connect too many appliances to one socket, it again means that you have insufficient connections.
Remember that extension cords are a short term solution. They should never be used in the long term. Extension cords can lead to the following problems: electrical shorting, twisted cord, the risk of poor connections, the risk of trips and falls.
You should rectify the problem of too few electrical connections by contacting a skilled electrician.
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