Home Electrical Wiring Warning Signs
Posted by Stanley Cain on Mon, Jun 06, 2011 @ 09:04 PM
Is your home's electrical system trying to tell you something?
If you experience frequent breaker trips...
It’s perfectly normal to go years without having to reset a tripped breaker or replace a blown fuse. If you have a circuit that trips fairly often, there’s a good chance it’s overloaded, or there could be a short or fault somewhere in the wiring run or on any devices connected to the circuit.
If you experience dimming or flickering lights...
Dimming lights is another common indication of circuit overload or improper wiring. Flickering lights can result from damaged fixture wiring, a problem with the switch or a fault somewhere. In older homes with 60-amp service panels (breaker boxes), underpowered fixtures and appliances may indicate that the household system is being overtaxed and should be upgraded.
If you experience buzzing or charred outlets and switches...
Outlet and switches are never supposed to buzz, and their faces or coverplates should never be hot to the touch. These are clear warning signs, often indicating a faulty device, loose wiring inside the box or arching between the wire conductors and the device, box or coverplate. Charred devices should be inspected immediately, as well. It’s normal for most dimmer switches and coverplates to be warm, but they should not be hot.
If you smell something burning...
Even the faintest scent of overheated plastic can be a big warning sign. If you can’t find the source of a burning smell, whether it’s in a room or next to an appliance, assume that wiring is a possible culprit.
If you have damaged or worn insulation...
Without completely intact insulation, electrical wiring is extremely dangerous. Frayed, cut or burned insulation on any wire is a serious hazard. Also, cable splices should always occur inside an approved junction box.
What should you do when your house is giving you warning signs? Call for a home electrical safety inspection.
The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends an electrical inspection of your home every 10 to 40 years, if you’ve added substantial new loads (such as high-wattage appliances) or if you detect any warning signs of wiring problems. Inspections should be conducted by a licesensed electricial contractor.