6 Signs You’re In Need of a Professional Electrical Repair
Here, we discuss six signs you need professional electrical repair:
1. Wires are fraying
2. Breakers and fuses are tripping
3. Outlets and electrical systems are smoking or giving off sparks
4. Lights are fading
5. Outlets and electrical panels are generating a burning odor
6. Your electrical system is making a buzzing or popping sound
To the nonexpert, signs of wire damage and electrical safety hazards aren’t always clear. However, recognizing these signs is critical to keeping your home safe and secure. As a property owner, you’ll want to take the time to regularly inspect your electrical wiring system to ensure everything is in good working condition.
If you notice any indications of damage, contact SoCal Electrical & Wiring for professional assistance as soon as possible.
1. Wires Are Fraying
Over time, your property’s wiring may start to fray and become damaged as a result of high heat, deterioration, and intruding nails and screws. If you’re a homeowner, mice and pests can also chew on your wires and cause them to break.
Because frayed wires are dangerous and can cause fires, you should have the system inspected and replaced by professional electricians as soon as possible. When you choose a fast and reliable local electrician like SoCal, you can expect a speedy and hassle-free troubleshooting service for your damaged wires.
2. Tripping Breakers & Fuses
A circuit breaker protects your property from large electrical surges by tripping. While breakers can be reset, fuses will need to be replaced after they blow due to an electrical surge. While these occurrences aren’t abnormal, you should take note if breakers and fuses seem to be tripping frequently.
If your circuit breakers and fuses frequently fail, you should schedule a professional service as soon as possible. Frequent breaking often indicates an issue with the entire wiring system.
3. Sparks and Smoke
If you’re noticing your electrical system generating sparks or smoke, don’t wait around to see if the issue goes away on its own. Any signs of smoke or sparks indicate there is a dangerous issue at hand and only a trained electrician should investigate further. As soon as you notice this issue, immediately unplug all of your devices and contact a professional.
4. Fading Lights
Are your lights looking dimmer than they should? Perhaps you’ve noticed the lights fade when you start the drying machine or another appliance. You may be dealing with damaged wiring or circuit that requires replacement. A trained electrician can inspect the issue and determine the root of the problem.
5. Burning Odor
Similar to the sparks or smoke, you should take action as soon as you notice a burning smell in your home. Oftentimes, a short circuit will generate a very slight odor, but if there is a small fire generated in your electrical system, it can catch onto something flammable and break out into a complete house fire.
If you’re noticing a burning odor in your home or building, reach out to a trusted electrician as soon as possible.
6. Buzzing Sounds
In the same vein as sparks, smoke, and burning odor, you should seek professional help if you hear buzzing sounds coming from your electrical system. Buzzing sounds indicate that your wiring has deteriorated, is out-of-place, or is damaged.
Damaged wiring can cause a plethora of significant and insignificant issues, many of which – burning odor, fading lights, sparks, and tripping breakers and fuses – were already mentioned on this list.
You should have similar concerns if you hear other noises coming from your electrical system. Popping and sizzling noises may indicate that your outlets or electrical panel are overheating. Avoid touching your outlets and plugging things into them when this happens because you risk getting shocked or causing an electrical fire.
While the sound itself should be anything more than a minor inconvenience, it should signal to you that a more serious underlying issue is continuously building up without the help of a professional. After all, powerful, unruly, and fluctuating electrical currents shouldn’t be handled by amateurs.
Work On Preventing These Signs
Each of these signs indicates more significant issues at hand, which can snowball over time if not addressed correctly and in a time-sensitive manner.
One of the easiest ways of preventing these things is to have a licensed electrician frequently (either quarterly, biannually, or annually) have scheduled visits to your home to check your electrical systems. While there, they can inform you about the condition of your electrical system, tell you where you need to make upgrades, and give you additional tips on maintaining it.
Another way of preventing these issues is not to overburden your electrical system by going above your electrical output. Try to unplug extension cords and infrequently used appliances (especially those that are heat-based) whenever possible, and don’t keep things plugged in past charge. Not only will this help your electrical systems maintain good condition, but it will also save you money.
Here are a couple of quick tips that are rarely talked about but should be known nonetheless:
● Never remove the bottom prong from a power cord.
● Upgrade power outlets, especially if they only have two outlet holes. (AKA They lack a ground hole.)
● Don’t use electronics with damaged power cords.
Lastly, stay within your home wattage limit. People have a tendency to plug-in electronics and things to their outlets without giving much forethought. What most people don’t realize is that by doing this, you risk damaging your appliances, causing electrical fires, and generating arc faults.
Ask an electrician during a home visit or use a multimeter on your outlets to find out their wattage, and plug in things accordingly.
Contact SoCal For Professional Electrical Repairs
As a property owner, keeping your home or building safe is a major responsibility. When it comes to any electrical malfunctions, SoCal Electrical & Lighting has your back. We are an experienced and local electrical company that services business owners and homeowners in the Spring Valley area. We have the expertise and knowledge necessary to quickly and efficiently repair any electrical hazards on your property.
To get started on your service, contact us today at 760-699-2686. We look forward to serving you!