7 Ways to Diagnose an Electrical Problem

Electricity makes our daily lives easier, but it can also be a huge liability. It has made everything possible just through the flick of a switch. All you have to do is plug in and let electricity do its thing.

Apart from lighting our homes, it helps to power up all the appliances that make our lives livable and more comfortable. However, with electricity also comes liability. It stands to blame for some of the fires in commercial and residential buildings.

Electricity can cause damages when not controlled. Control means that you keep an eye on your appliances and the wires in your walls. Reading early signs will significantly help to avoid massive tragedies.

Thus, it calls for you to know which signs and electrical malfunctions to look for and take the necessary measures. That said, here are some common ways to diagnose electrical problems and take action.

Frequent Surges

There may be many explanations for electrical surges in your home or office premises. Factors such as faulty electrical lines, fake appliances, poor wiring, and lightning strikes may be blamed for surges.

Electrical surges can cause damages to electrical appliances connected in your building or reduce durability. If you experience electrical surges around your premises, the main culprit could be appliances connected to the mainframe or shoddy wiring. Thus, frequent electrical surges are a cause for alarm, and you should ensure that you take action and call an electrician.

Buzzing Sound

The power outlets and the mains should operate silently. If you hear any buzzing or crackling sounds from your main, it should be a cause for alarm. The buzzing sounds may also come from appliances connected to your home sockets.

In case you hear any sounds from the power outlet, switch off the power immediately. You can then call an electrician to look at the electrical fixtures or make the necessary repairs.

Extremely Dim or Bright Lights

Your lights are enough to indicate a power surge in your home. If you note any frequent changes in your light brightness, it may mean imminent power surges. The power surge may be from many devices connected to the power outlets. The devices may be consuming so much power that they cause fluctuations in the electrical system.

Surges may cause damage to appliances connected to the grid. In case you notice flickering lights, it would be wise to disconnect unused devices to avoid overloading the system.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

When many appliances are connected to your electrical system, it may cause your circuit breakers to trip. The primary purpose of the circuit breakers is to protect your appliances and your home. When your circuit breaker drops, it shows that it’s in good condition.

However, it would help if you didn’t ignore the frequent circuit breaker trips as they are enough indication to take action. Disconnect all the appliances and call an electrician to check out the breakers and the state of your connection.

High Electrical Bills

Broken appliances may consume power to keep them running efficiently. Also, you may have connection problems that cause insufficient energy to reach your appliances. The appliances will use power abnormally and cause a hike in your energy bills.

Leaks in your water heater system may also cause your heater to consume power. Damaged circuits within your building may also cause power attenuation. Thus, power may be lost along the delivery way and cause a surge in your bills.

Take a look at the appliances connected to your electrical system. Call an electrician to check out the reason behind power leaks and high electrical bills.

Electrical Shocks

You may experience mild shocks when trying to disconnect some appliances from the primary connection. This way, you should know that you have some leakage and calls for necessary actions.

Electrical shocks may happen due to poor wiring or using fake devices. Check your devices and call a professional to ascertain the state of your home wiring.

Frequent Bulb Replacement

Bulbs come with a certified amount of voltage that they can handle. Hence, if you find that you’re replacing bulbs often, it may mean an imbalance in your power supply. Call an Electrician in Indooroopilly to check the power supply and ensure that there is no leakage. Ensure that you check out the electricians’ report and ensure you don’t have wiring problems.