Common Electrical Outlet Problems In Homes: How Your Electrician Can Help | Myrtle Beach, SC
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Power outlets are essential in our homes because they supply appliances and electrical devices with electricity from the electrical grid. Also known as plugs and sockets, the electrical outlets need to be installed by an expert electrician. The technicians install outlets according to the National Electrical Code to promote safety by preventing electrical hazards.
Different electrical outlets fit residential buildings in Myrtle Beach, SC, such as 2-prong outlets for ungrounded circuits supplying a maximum of 125 volts, 3-prong outlets with two vertical slots, outlet, and combos or switch for homes built close to water.
Other advanced types of outlets include USB, recessed, tamper-resistant receptacles, and built-in LED night-light outlets. The outlets are susceptible to problems resulting in catastrophic incidents like electrical fires if not repaired in time. The following are some of the issues you might encounter with the electrical sockets and plugs in your home.
No Supply of Power
You might want to relax in your bedroom while enjoying soft music in your system only to realize it’s not functioning after switching it on. When you switch on the lights in another room to confirm a power outage, you find they are operating smoothly. But if you try using a different socket, your music system operates at its peak performance.
The non-functional outlet will compel you to call an electrician to ascertain the actual problem as to why the socket is not supplying power to turn on your appliances. The technician will use advanced tools and electrical equipment to identify the issue and fix it.
Some of the reasons behind the malfunctioning power outlet might be loose wires or poor connection, which can be repaired skillfully by the hired electrician. Loose wires are prone to lead to short circuits that are the common cause of most electrical fires in homes with circuit breakers. The outlet can also stop working because it has a blown fuse that needs to be replaced. Be warned not to replace the fuse by yourself but hire a licensed electrical company.
Tripping of the Circuit Breaker
A professional installs a circuit breakers in houses to prevent electrical fires and other hazards. If you notice the breaker in your home has tripped, you could be having a short circuit or overloaded power outlets and extensions. A tripped circuit breaker can make the power outlets in your place stop supplying the much-needed power to avert electrical hazards.
Therefore, if you notice the sockets are not working, you should check to determine if the circuit breaker has flipped off. If it has, please do not try to switch it back on because it might be preventing a catastrophic electrical fire that could happen because of a short circuit. Reach out to your trusted electrician in Myrtle Beach, SC, to tackle the problem as soon as possible.
If the circuit breaker continues to trip after connecting it to an appliance, the problem could be associated with the insufficient voltage from the power outlet. The electrical technician could recommend updating the wiring in the electrical grid to those with enough voltage fit to power all your electrical equipment. The electrical contractor might also suggest installing more outlets in your home to redistribute the circuits to prevent problems such as an overload that might be dangerous without a circuit breaker.
Hot Outlets
Another common problem you might encounter with the power outlets in your home is hot covers. The outlet might be warm due to a loose electrical wire, which is a big problem that requires the immediate attention of an electrician. A faulty receptacle can also lead to a warm or sparking outlet. I
f you ignore the hotness of the outlet cover as a minor issue, then an electrical fire is imminent and can destroy massive property and lead to loss of life. So, once you feel the sockets and plugs are hot, it is wise to switch them off and avoid using them until an expert electrician inspects the problem and repairs it to prevent electrical hazards in your residence. If the underlying cause of the warm outlet lies with malfunctioning receptacles, the electrical company can replace them.
Tripped GFCI
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a type of circuit breaker that can make the outlets in your house stop functioning when it trips. Hiring an electrician in Myrtle Beach, SC, to check the status of the GFCI is appropriate in diagnosing some of the problems emerging from your power outlets. The issue that leads to a tripping GFCI is a power surge that can damage the electrical devices and appliances in your home plugged into an outlet.
Worn Out Outlets
Everything in life has an expiration date, including electrical outlets. After serving your home for several years, the wires and the sockets might become loose and worn out, hence the need for an urgent replacement.
The worn-out outlet can either lead to more additional problems or stop functioning at all. Therefore, contacting an electrical contractor to carry out a complete rewiring and replacing the damaged and old sockets might help restore the peak performance of your outlets.
Plug Falling Out of Outlet
It might seem like a minor issue, but when you plug in your appliances, and you realize they don’t fit in the outlet, it is a problem that will inconvenience you when you want to charge your phone or laptop or power an appliance. Having an electrical professional slightly bend the prongs of the outlet inward will help provide the required snug to fit the plugs.
Contact Us!
Power outlets are essential in ensuring adequate electricity supply to various appliances and electrical devices in a home. Unfortunately, they are prone to have issues that will need the immediate services of an electrician. If you have any electrical problems, contact Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach. Our electrical company has qualified electricians offering timely, prompt, and reliable services that meet your electrical needs.