5 COMMON ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Home electrical problems vary in complexity, and therefore should always be attended to by professional electricians with the right equipment, experience and knowledge. Here are the most common electrical problems in the home.

1.Poor Circuit Protection
(1) No RCCB
Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) is a device that detects and prevents low voltage circuit if there is a current leak. When the circuit has residual current, it disconnects the load from the mains to prevent direct or indirect current surges and electrical fires.

(2)Constant Tripping of Circuit Breaker

If the circuit breaker constantly trips, it means there are some issues in the circuit and flow of current. When the circuit breaker trips, just flip the electrical switch on. If the problem persists, you need to call an electrician.

(3)Uncovered Junction Box

Junction boxes separate one section of electric cables from another and protect them from external factors. If the box is uncovered, it will be hard to locate which set of power cables have problems. Get the junction box covered by a professional.

2.Grounding Issues
(1)No GFCI Installed

GFCI breaks the circuit if there is an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current. Without GFCI, there is a risk of overheating of electrical wires, shocks, burns, or an electrical fire.

(2)Ungrounded Connections

These are connections that do not have a grounding system as an added failsafe. Grounding provides a pathway for the excessive current to flow in case of a short circuit.

3.Lighting Problems
(1)Light Bulbs Burn Out Too Frequently

If your light bulbs go out too often, it could indicate electrical problems. Bulbs can burn out if the wattage is too high or too low. If you face this problem often, check if the cable wire terminal is loose. Bring in a professional to determine the root cause of the problem.

(2)Flickering Lights

If you notice the lights flickering, it may be that the main power panel has technical problems.

4.Electrical Shocks
You may experience electrical shocks when you turn an appliance on or off. Even if the shocks are mild, it is an indication that the appliance has an electrical problem or there are issues with the wiring. You can plug in another device and see if you face the same problem. If the results are reproducible, call in an electrician to fix the problem before anyone gets hurt.

5.High Electricity Bills
Some reasons why you may get a high electricity bill are:
(1)Damaged wiring and circuit
(2)Leakage in electrical systems
(3)Electrical devices are outdated and consume more power

You can reduce the cost of electricity bills by switching to more cost-effective devices and unplugging appliances when they are not in use. Repair damaged wires and identify electrical devices that may be causing power surges.

6.Circuit problem
(1)Redundant wiring is a very common electrical problem. In fact, not all the wiring is used, and in many cases, live wires are left without being properly capped or terminated. Take the time to trace all the electrical wiring to ensure there are no hidden surprises or weak connections.

(2)Overloaded circuits can occur when additional power outlets are created to use existing wiring as their source. This shortcut method creates problems where multiple appliances are plugged in and drawing power at the same time. The demand exceeds the capacity and causes short fuses. Ask an electrician to determine the power drain on each circuit and arrange to correct the wiring to ensure that each circuit load is balanced.

With any electrical mishap it is best to call your local electrician to diagnose the problem and provide an efficient and long lasting solution.