Electricity is one of the essential parts of modern households. An electrical issue should not be ignored as it can lead to other bigger problems for the occupants of the building. Faulty wiring is also a major cause of electrical fires in the home. It would be best to directly call a licensed electrician to look through your electrical system at home if you experience any signs of bad wiring.
In this article, we detail the most common signs that you have faulty electrical wiring at home. Knowing the main reason for your fluctuating lights will also help the electrician figure out the best solution to resolve the issue for you. West Lake Village Electricians provides adequate Electrical Wiring Services for you.
1. Your circuit breaker trips occasionally – A circuit breaker can trip whenever there’s a risk of overloading in the circuit. A circuit breaker trips once in a while is normal, as you can always reset the breaker. However, a regular occurrence may indicate something else in your circuit. Defective wiring may be a safety hazard, and it is also difficult to spot which portion of the entire wiring needs repair. It’s better to call the assistance of a qualified electrician to ensure that the damaged wire is found.
2. Dimming or flickering lights – Flickering lights during the startup of a heavy appliance is also a normal occurrence, but if it becomes a problem when you’re using other appliances, there may be a problem with one of your electrical connections. It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you need proper lighting to work at home.
3. Scorch marks on power outlets – Charring on power outlets is another indicator that the underneath wiring is releasing heat. It is also a sign of damage to your electrical system, which must be addressed immediately. Avoid using appliances in charred power outlets, as it may also cause damage to the device itself.
4. Warm or vibrating power outlets – A warm or vibrating power outlet may also be a potential sign of a wiring issue. You may get an electrical shock if you touch the wiring that’s vibrating or warm.
5. Burning smells – If you notice a burning smell in your electrical wiring, a part of the connection may be damaged from overheating. This issue can lead to serious electrical hazards to the home if not resolved quickly.
6. Reliance on Extension Cords – Although it’s a common practice to use extension cords in your home, this act can also add to more risks for short circuits and overloading. It can also trip the breaker, especially if too many extension cords are plugged in. You shouldn’t use too many extension cords in your household. If you need to, ensure that heavy appliances have dedicated outlets and shouldn’t be plugged into extension cords. If you’re struggling with the few outlets in your home, the best way is to call an electrician to add more to your home. A professional electrical upgrade is always recommended!
7. Old Aluminum Wiring – Unfortunately, if you have an old home, chances are that your home already has some defective wiring. This issue is also common in houses built in the 1960s to 1970s. Aluminum wiring also is not anymore recommended by current electrical standards. Modern appliances may also short-circuit old aluminum wiring too fast. A house rewiring is the best solution for your old aluminum wiring at home.
8. Counterfeit Electrical Fixtures – During the house construction, if you provided your electrical fixtures, you might have ended up with counterfeit items that do not pass the quality assurance standards of today’s fixtures. These counterfeits can also be because the electrician you hired is not licensed and may have just bought the electrical fixtures at budget prices without checking if they’re genuine products. It can really harm your safety, especially because these items can easily trigger electrical fires. Only purchase electricals from trusted suppliers, or hire a certified electrician to handle your electrical system for your home.
9. Pest Droppings & Waste – Unfortunately, pests can also chew on electrical wiring. Even though wiring has a protective casing, vermin can easily damage it and expose it to fire hazards in your home. If pest droppings are in your home, you must check areas, especially in the attic and basement, if the wiring is still intact. You can also call a pest control service company to remove pests in your home.
Best Tips to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
A damaged electrical wire can be an issue and you may need to repair it quickly, at least temporarily until professional help arrives. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be a safety concern for people in the building. If not resolved quickly, it may lead to an electrical fire.
Although it is not normally recommended to do an electrical repair yourself for safety reasons, there are tutorials and troubleshooting guides available from your reliable electrical service company on how to deal with these electrical wiring problems at home.
- Step 1. Turn off the power to the cable that’s damaged. Whether it’s disconnecting the battery or done via turning off the breaker, you have to do this step to ensure your safety before the repair.
- Step 2. Observe the damaged wiring connection. If the copper core of the wire is intact, check if the metal is fused to another wire.
- Step 3. Cut the wire before and after the faulty section and immediately discard it. Also, cut off two inches of sheathing on the two exposed ends of the new cable.
- Step 4. Determine the appropriate length of replacement cable and also cut off two inches of sheathing from the end. It is also recommended that the color pattern of the interior wires of the replacement cable is similar to the damaged one.
- Step 5. Expose one inch of the copper wire core from the ends of each individual wire found in the cables. Four ends should be ready for splicing. Two for the replacement cable and two for the removed wire section. Remove the shielding using wire cutters. Be careful not to cut the wire itself.
- Step 6. Carefully intertwine the wires together to start the splice. Match similar colors together. Do this on both sides as well.
- Step 7. Protect the splice by covering the exposed copper wires with at least three layers of electrical tape. Cover it with another layer to make the repaired section more tidy and secure.
- Step 8. Turn the power back on to test if it functions properly. If the connection is not stable, you may need to call in the assistance of a professional electrician to handle the issue for you.
If you still need help with your faulty wiring connection at home, you can refer to our other articles for additional electrical help. You may also consult our electrical specialists at West Lake Village Electricians for professional assistance with your defective electrical connections at home.