Common Electrical Problems That Electricians Face In The Typical Home | Conway, SC

6/6/2022

Your home’s wiring and electrical outlets may not be something you think about daily, but they are the cornerstones of your comfort and safety. Unfortunately, if not correctly installed and maintained, your electrical system can create a fire hazard or even cause injury. The following are some of the most common electrical problems found in a typical home.

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights are a common problem in homes. While it is tempting to assume that your lights have burned out, this is not the case. Instead, the problem likely lies in the wiring or breaker box. You may also have an issue with your fuse or circuit panel if you see flickering lights and power outages when you flick on and off switches.

Try replacing some of your older light fixtures with newer models to get to the bottom of this problem. Suppose this does not work, and you continue to experience flickering bulbs throughout the house. It might be time for an electrician to run a line check for power surges or faulty wiring that could cause intermittent flickering throughout each room where new lighting has been put up recently.

If you have older homes in Conway, SC, or live in an area with frequent power outages, this may be a sign that your wiring needs to be replaced. But even if you don’t experience frequent power outages, old wiring can still cause flickering lights.

Electrical Burning Smell

While it’s not usually a severe problem, an electrical burning smell could indicate something wrong with your electrical system. For example, if you smell burning and find that only one or two outlets are affected, you may have a short circuit in your home’s wiring.

A short circuit occurs when electricity travels through wires not designed to carry it. This can happen due to loose connections or frayed wires, but most commonly happens because of worn insulation on one or more wires in your home’s electrical system.

Outlets Don’t Work

If you have outlets that aren’t working, the problem may be electrical. So the first thing to check is whether the outlet is plugged in. If not, the outlet has a bad connection somewhere on its body or wiring.

If your outlet is plugged in and still doesn’t work, you should next check if it’s switched on at either end. Most homes have switches for each room that allows you to turn off one set of lights while leaving other sets turned on.

If this isn’t causing problems with your outlets and they’re still not working, then there may be an issue with your breaker panel or main power supply, and you should contact an electrician.

Light Switches Don’t Work

If you have a light switch that isn’t working, the first thing to check is whether or not the power is on. If it’s not, your problem is likely something else and isn’t as simple to fix as unplugging/replugging your light switch.

If the power is on and you still can’t control any lights with your light switch, some wires are likely lost somewhere in your circuit box that controls lighting in different rooms of your house or apartment building. This may require an electrician check-up. Just call one up to come over and look at what’s going on.

Circuit Breakers Trip Frequently

If you find that your circuit breakers are frequently tripping, this is usually a sign of too much electricity running through them. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can be quite dangerous and should be addressed soon.

One of the most common causes of this problem is using too many appliances or electronics simultaneously. This can overload the circuit and cause it to trip. If you find this is frequently happening, you may need to upgrade your electrical system to handle the extra load.

Another possible cause of circuit breakers tripping is faulty wiring. This means that there is a loose connection somewhere in your electrical system that is causing an imbalance. This can be dangerous as it can lead to fires. If you think this may be the case, you should contact an electrical services provider in Conway, SC, right away to have them take a look.

Power Surges

A power surge is a sudden increase in the flow of electricity, which can occur when a device such as an air conditioner starts up or if lightning strikes nearby. There’s more voltage than usual when this happens, which causes an arc of electricity to form between two points. This can damage your appliances or electronics like computers and televisions.

If you experience frequent power surges at home, it might be worth having an electrician come out and check the wiring for potential defects before severe damage occurs.

Outlets or Switches Are Hot or Warm

If you notice that the outlet or switch is hot or warm, there are a few things to check. First, make sure that the wires aren’t loose. Check that they’re sitting tightly in their connections and aren’t hanging open. You might also have a loose wire or connector somewhere in your electrical system. If this is the case, you should hire an electrician who has experience working on older homes so that he can figure out where the loose connection is and how best to repair it quickly and efficiently.

Buzzing Switches or Sockets

If you hear buzzing or humming in your electrical sockets and switches, it’s not a severe problem. However, a loose connection can cause it, so all you have to do is tighten the relationship with some wire connectors. If this doesn’t work, there might be a loose wire inside one of your sockets or switches. Then, you have to call an electrician to replace the socket or switch it with new ones.

Frequently Blown Fuses

Fuses are safety devices designed to protect your home from fires by breaking the circuit when too much current flows through it. If you have a fuse that frequently blows, there may be an issue with your electrical system. It could be a sign of faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. You should call an electrical services provider to come and take a look so they can diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.

We Are the Electrical Services Provider You Can Trust in Conway

To avoid the above issues, it is essential to regularly check your home electrical systems. A professional electrician can detect any problems with your systems and recommend appropriate solutions. If ignored, electrical problems in the home can create a lot of inconveniences. They can even cause danger or fire hazards if a qualified electrician does not promptly address the issues. But don’t worry, you can call Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach for them.

We are a locally owned and operated business providing quality electrical services to the residents of Conway, SC, for many years. Our team of certified electricians is dedicated to providing the best possible service to our customers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Photo By Atsushi Hirao at Shutterstock