When most people think of electrical issues, they immediately envision smoking outlets or shocks spilling from wiring. However, electrical problems in the home do not always have to be dramatic – even small issues can indicate that there is a major issue in your home’s electrical circuitry or wiring. Let’s take a look at some common signs that point to a serious electrical problem in your home.
Aluminium Wiring
There were a few years in the 1960s and ‘70s when the price of copper skyrocketed, resulting in homes being built with the cheaper alternative – aluminium. At first, this was thought to be an effective and affordable replacement for copper. However, it was soon discovered that aluminium oxidises much faster than copper and builds up heat, increasing the risk of electrical fires. If your home has aluminium wiring, it is best to speak with one of the professional home electricians in Mornington Peninsula to discuss your options.
Lights Flickering
Though flickering lights are often attributed to ghosts, there is likely a much more rational explanation for the flickering lights in your home. Often, the cause stems from a loose connection somewhere in the wiring of the home. The problem is easier to pinpoint if only one fixture or room is being affected, but a house full of flickering bulbs can mean a bigger issue is causing the strobe effect in the home, such as a faulty breaker box.
Hot Outlets
It’s a well-known fact that many electrical devices tend to generate heat while they’re being used. However, feeling heat coming from the outlet itself can be a sign that there is an electrical issue in your home. If you notice hot outlets while using appliances, unplug them immediately and don’t use the outlet until home electricians in Mornington Peninsula can assess the issue. The one exception is dimmer switches, which can get warm due to their ability to distribute heat when reducing the brightness in a room.
It’s not always easy to spot a problem in your home’s electrical system, but you can get one step ahead by keeping an eye out for these tell-tale signs of an issue on your home. Contact a professional to get more information about what you can do to keep your household safe until a technician arrives as well as how to prevent further problems from arising.
