Electricity is an integral part of modern life. It’s usually taken for granted — until there’s a problem. Most of the time, however, an electrical system will exhibit warning signs before shutting down. Here are a few signs to be aware of.
- Unfamiliar or strange odor
If you plug a device or appliance into an outlet and smell a fishy or burning odor, unplug it immediately and don’t use the outlet until it’s been inspected by a licensed electrician. The odor could be caused by incorrectly sized breakers/fuses, overloaded circuits, loose wires, frayed cords, breakdown in wire insulation, and outdated electrical wiring.
- Arc faults
An arc fault occurs when an electrical circuit goes off its intended path, usually through a breach in the wiring. An arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) can help prevent arc faults, and even electrical fires. Contact Tucker Hill for professional AFCI installation.
- Warm or sparking outlets and switches
A sparking outlet can be caused by overloading, short-circuits, water, wear and tear, and improper installation or repairs. It’s normal to have a spark when plugging a device or appliance into an outlet, but if the spark smells, lasts longer than one second, seems larger than usual, or is in a color other than blue, then the cause could be a serious electrical issue that needs professional attention.
- Buzzing sounds
Buzzing, crackling, or sizzling sounds when operating an outlet or switch are not normal and should be investigated by a licensed electrician.
- Flickering lights
Flickering lights may be caused by a power surge, typically a result of too many appliances and devices being powered simultaneously. A power surge can damage electronics and shouldn’t be ignored if flickering lights become a common occurrence.
- Hot ceiling fixtures
Poor insulation could cause ceiling fixtures to overheat. Exceeding bulb wattages could also lead to overheating and even pose a fire hazard. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
- Tripped circuit breakers
Electrical systems are designed with built-in protective mechanisms to prevent electrocution and fire. Circuit breakers automatically trip when a circuit is overloaded. Frequent tripped circuit breakers could indicate a problem with the electrical system and require professional service.