Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is important, but what about an electrical issue that causes a fire? Do you know what to do? Aside from obvious electrical issues that cause flying sparks, you should keep an eye out for other subtle issues that could cause electrical danger.
Here are some problems with dangerous side effects to be aware of:
Lights That Flicker and Cause a Tripped Circuit Breaker
Flickering lights can be caused by loose wiring splices or a light fixture that is simply broken and needs a replacement. To fix this, turn off power to the light and look at the fixture as well as the wiring that supplies electricity to it. Replace wire connectors with strong and sturdy ones and if the fixture itself is the issue, get rid of it and replace it with something new.
Loose Switches or Receptacles
If you have noticed that electrical switches in your home are loose or the device is not mounted properly to the electrical box, this could be a big fire hazard. To fix it, turn off the power, remove the faceplate of the switch and tighten any screws that are loose. Sometimes, you may need to shorten screws with a special electrician multi-tool. This tool will strip and bend the wire and allow you to cut screws. Reinstall the device and make sure that the connections are tightened.
Wobbly Ceiling Fans
This may not seem like an obvious fire hazard, but if the fan is out of balance or wobbly, it could cause an electrical issue. Check for loose, damaged, or missing hardware on the fan and head to your local hardware store to grab parts and install them. Or, if the fan is really old, it’s probably a good idea to just replace it with something new.
Warm Faceplates
If you have an outlet that is warm to the touch, this could be a sign that something is wrong with the wiring or that there is too large of an electrical load on that outlet. To figure out what the issue is, turn off the power and look for a loose splice, burned insulation, or melted connections. In addition, look at the wattage that’s allowed on the device and be sure that there isn’t too much going into that device. You may need to move some wires to another circuit area.
If you have questions about the wiring in your home or have noticed warm outlets, outlets that trip repeatedly, or another issue that raises concern about the wiring in your home, our team at Prairie Electric can help. Contact us today!
