If you cast a glance around, everything is operated on electricity. And with continually evolving progressions in electrical technology, everyone shares a commonality among each other, i.e., some usual electrical problems occurring recurrently. You can fix the minor errors yourself if you possess little technical knowledge. And if you don’t, hiring an electrician is always suggested.
This article will demonstrate ten possible electrical problems emerging through your house walls.
- Recurrent Electrical Surges
A surge appears because of the overabundance of charge inside the power lines, which accelerates the potential electrical energy. Therefore, current in your outlet skyrockets for a while. Although it is for a microsecond, recurrent surges not only cause impairment of electrical components but also degrade their life expectancy big time.
Summer storms also impair power lines through an infamous troublemaker: flashes of lightning in the clouds. One lightning bolt carries 1 Billion electrical volts. When it hits the ground, it causes the power lines to suffer an incredible surge.
But suppose you experience back-to-back surges that are not due to lightning. In that case, it’s high time to have your home wiring checked, as it’s a matter of faulty wiring systems or cheap electronics.
- Sags and Dips
Surges, and sags, and dips are alike; the latter are sporadic drops in power or voltage. When you turn a switch on, it attracts more energy than what it can bear; hence, sags and dips.
Like electrical surges, they also last a second and are also referred to as brown-outs. It manifests as dimming and brightening of light without going off all the way. They also happen when plenty of electrical appliances are running simultaneously or because of faulty wiring.
- Open Junction Box
A junction box houses various wires. These boxes are designed to separate different categories of cables from each other. They are made up of metal or plastic of the size 2″ x 3″, and protect against electrical shocks and external forces.
In big buildings, the junction boxes are essential since a problematic set of wires is easy to locate therein. If a junction box is uncovered, it poses a severe safety threat. Also, it will be harder to find a faulty set of cables.
- Frequent Bulb Burnouts
When you change light bulbs too often, then usually blaming bulb manufacturers is a common practice. However, it can also occur by virtue of other electrical reasons such as high voltage, tightly fixed lamps, etc.
- Dysfunctionality of Switches
If your ON/OFF switches are non-functional, there are chances that they are either old or worn out. Improper wiring or circuit faults may also be a contributing factor.
- Irregular Lighting – Dimmer or More Luminous
Something as trivial as dimming or brightening light bulbs can inform you of a bigger electrical problem. If a light bulb is duskier or more luminous than usual, it is because:
- You may have different wattage.
- Your main power panel is experiencing technical issues.
- Electrical Shocks
Electrical shocks are frequent in buildings with an outdated electrical system, and poor insulation. But receiving electrical shocks isn’t always due to these reasons. Sometimes it’s your appliances.
The most accessible way to ensure it is to test the outlet with a cheaper appliance. Upon turning it on, if you get shocked, it is the wiring. And if you’re okay, it’s the other way around; the fault lies in the appliance.
- A Rise in Electricity Bills
If your electricity bills go up even when your electrical consumption is less, it may be because of one of the following reasons:
- Your power supplier is not pocket friendly.
- You have an outdated electrical system that eats up more power.
- Your electrical wiring or circuit may be damaged.
- You don’t turn off electronics and electrical appliances after use.
- Over-circuited Electrical Panel
An electrical panel is designed to accommodate a limited number of circuit breakers, which fit into slots. You can determine the electrical panel as per your needs.
If you live in Vancouver or are planning to move there, it’s recommended to check the maximum load capacity of your house. For example, if it’s less than 3,000 square feet, a 100-amp service will be a good fit as long as you don’t install a central AC or electric heater. You can find a reliable electrician in North Vancouver to discuss this matter to avoid any inconvenience.
- Over-lamping
Over-lamping is a consequence of fixing a higher voltage bulb to a holder that can’t bear that load. Eventually, the socket will heat up, and end up burned.
