Home Electrical Problems Bentonville AR |
Posted: February 24, 2016 |
Many Home Electrical Problems Show Warning Signs Before Becoming SeriousBy B. Baird, Angie’s List Contributor
Knowing the symptoms of an electrical problem can help you make repairs to prevent a dangerous situation that might lead to electrocution or property damage. You may be able to troubleshoot some of these electrical issues yourself, but many problems need professional diagnosis and repair. Circuit breaker problemsCircuit breakers are designed to trip when a circuit is overloaded. By shutting off the electrical supply, the breaker prevents wires from overheating and potentially starting a fire. Breakers can also trip when they become old. Occasional tripping can indicate simple overloads. Try plugging the appliance into a different circuit. If a breaker trips frequently, you should consult a professional. Working inside an electrical panel requires skill. Even with the main breaker shut off, power is still entering the panel. Leave this type of work to an experienced professional. Never replace a circuit breaker or fuse with a higher rated one because this can cause overheating and fire. For homes dating from the 1950s to 1990, check your panel to see whether it or the breakers are manufactured by Federal Pacific. The company’s Stab-Lok brand breakers are not considered safe. Check with your electrician for a recommendation or replacement. Electrical shocksIf you feel a mild shock or tingle when touching an appliance, a ground fault in the appliance or improper electrical wiring may be the cause. If you notice a shock after crossing a carpeted surface, it may be from static, which is common in the winter and not cause for concern. You should, however, take other types of electrical shock seriously as you don’t want to risk the situation becoming worse. Hot ceiling fixturesYou should occasionally check the area around your ceiling light fixtures for warmth because not all fixtures are well insulated. In addition, if you exceed the maximum recommended wattage for the bulb, the fixture can overheat. Too much heat buildup could pose a fire hazard. Switching to compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs provides one solution, because these bulbs don’t produce as much heat as incandescent bulbs. Read more on Home Electrical Problems at AngiesList.com
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