Electricity is complicated. We all take it for granted, however, when we need power, we simply plug in or flip a switch. But there’s so much involved in ensuring electricity flows properly, and one minor misstep can be extremely dangerous – if not life-threatening. That’s why, even for what seems to be a “DIY” electrical job, we always recommend hiring a licensed, experienced electrician (like those at Connected Electrical).
Of course, we don’t need to come change your light bulbs, but any job that involves wiring is best left to the pros. The first step is diagnosing an electrical problem, however, and knowing what to look for to determine if there could be an underlying issue.
With that in mind, here are 20 common signs of electrical problems in your home or your office (in no particular order):
1. Flickering Lights
If your lights flicker on and off, this may be a sign of a poor wiring connection and can lead to arcing–what happens when loose or corroded connections make intermittent contact that may result in sparking, overheating, and/or fire.
2. Electrical Power Surges
There are quite a few possible causes for an electrical surge, which occurs when there are quick spikes in voltage that disrupt electricity. Even brief surges can damage or even destroy electronic equipment in your home or office, which is why the use of surge protectors for important and expensive equipment and appliances is highly recommended. Power surges can be the result of:
- Damaged or exposed wiring.
- Electrical overload, which more typically happens in an office or commercial building (though it can occur in the home with certain appliances), where many large appliances and devices are using large amounts of electricity simultaneously.
- Lightning.
- Brief outages caused by extreme weather, tree limbs, and other factors.
3. Broken or Faulty Light Switches
Light switches, like anything else, can break after years of use. If that’s what is causing the electrical problem, a new light switch should take care of the issue.
4. Dead Power Outlets
If you plug something into an outlet, and the device isn’t receiving any power, it’s possible that a dead outlet is the culprit. This can happen due to possible arcing or from a tripped connection or breaker.
5. Warm Power Outlets or Light Switches
This can be very serious, unless it is a dimming switch, which can often feel warm to the touch. If you have outlets or switches (non-dimming) that are warm or hot, call an electrician immediately as this is a major safety issue.
6) Light Bulbs Constantly Blow Out
This is another potential safety concern. Occasional light bulb blowouts happen–after all, they have an expected life span. However, if you’re experiencing bulb blowouts on a regular basis, you might have a serious problem on your hands–a loose socket or circuit connection, or possibly insulation near recessed lighting which is causing overheating.
7) Short Circuit
This is usually a fairly harmless electrical problem, as certain appliances tend to trip circuits more often than others (hair dryers are a common cause of short circuits). When this occurs, simply reset the tripped breaker.
Although not always the case, a good indicator of whether this is a more serious issue is whether the same appliance repeatedly causes the short circuit–if so, it’s most likely the appliance; if not, there could be a wiring or receptacle issue that will require professional repair.
8. Constantly Tripping Breakers
If your breakers are frequently tripping, it could be the result of too much electricity being used by a single circuit in the home or office building. If this is the case, it’s simply the circuit being overloaded by the amount of electricity used and can be addressed by adding a circuit or by spreading the use of some devices to other circuits so the same one isn’t overburdened.
9. Lights That Are Too Dim or Too Bright
If some lights in your home seem excessively bright or way too dim, this could be the result of something as simple as different types of lights with different wattage–just check your bulbs to make sure you’re using the same wattage for a consistent glow. In some cases, however, this could be caused by a bad main neutral wire connection, which would need to be fixed by a professional as soon as possible.
10. High Electric Bills
You probably already know that seasonal spikes in your electric bill are normal because, well, you’re using more electricity. For example, in the winter, you may have Christmas lights on for six or seven hours each night–and while they do look festive, they will increase your electric bill. Similarly, during the summer you probably run your air conditioning for a good portion of the day–yes, this keeps you cool and comfortable, but, in most cases, that means a higher electric bill.
However, if you’re experiencing consistently higher-than-usual electric bills during non-peak seasons, there could be other issues, including:
- Devices that are causing power surges
- Damaged wiring or circuits
- Inefficient lighting sources
.
Your electric bills may also be high because your provider isn’t cost-effective. Additionally, you should unplug any chargers or small appliances when they’re not being used–because they still draw power.
11. Aluminum Wiring
If your house or office building was built later than the early 1970s, you can probably scratch this one off the list for potential causes of electrical problems. However, if your home or office was built around this time, aluminum wiring could cause you problems and is a serious safety issue.
Aluminum was used as an inexpensive alternative to copper wiring around this time, and while the wiring itself safely conducts electricity, the connections are a major concern. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have “fire hazard conditions” than homes wired with copper. If this is a concern, have an electrician check out your wiring situation immediately.
12. Electrical Shocks
Unfortunately, you’ll know if this is a problem in your home or office because it can cause serious injury and even death. Electrical shocks usually occur when you’re turning a device or appliance on or off, and the issue could be from the appliance itself…or the wiring.
Don’t investigate these issues on your own. Call the electricians at Connected Electrical to help.
13. Power Sags and Dips
Sags and dips are similar to electrical surges in that they often happen when devices connected to your power grid are substandard or malfunctioning. This causes them to draw more power than necessary when they are turned on.
14. Recessed Lighting Power Cut
If you have recessed lighting and you notice that the lights keep going out, the bulb wattage may be too high or perhaps the ceiling insulation is too close to the bulb. In either case, recessed lights will shut off because they’re built with safety devices that cut power to the light when it gets too hot. If you feel excessive heat coming from your overhead bulbs, turn them off and call an electrician because this can be a fire risk.
15. Lack of RCCB or RCD
Say what? Don’t worry–we’ll explain. An RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) or RCD (Residual Current Device) is a wiring device that disconnects the circuit as soon as it detects a current leak–this is absolutely critical to have in the home or office, because it also protects against electrocution or shock from direct contact. This is a device that must be installed by a pro.
16. Backstabbed Wires or Outlets
This sounds scary, but this really is just a case of wires that have cuts or holes in them, which can expose live wires. And when live wires are exposed, electrocution becomes a very real danger. Rather than taping the damaged wire, it’s recommended to have the wire replaced by a pro.
17. Unprotected Junction Box
If you’re unfamiliar, a junction box is a plastic or metal box that holds and protects a structure’s electrical connections. They’re designed to separate one section of wires from another and also serve to shield wires from external factors that could potentially damage them. Leaving a junction box unprotected can not only cause wire damage but it can also lead to electrocution if the wires are close enough to people. Adding a cover is typically an inexpensive and easy fix best left to an experienced electrician.
18. Loose Outlets
Have you ever plugged a device into an outlet only for the plug to fall right out? If so, you have loose outlets, and that’s an electrical problem that needs to be addressed. Why? Because loose or worn contacts within the receptacle can lead to arcing, which can ignite any nearby dust or wood.
19. No GFCIs
A GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is an important safety measure for homes and office buildings. Without GFCI outlets, the chance of electrocution skyrockets, particularly in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. GFCIs instantly shut down a circuit before a current can cause a potentially fatal electric shock. In fact, they’re now required to be installed for all garage, basement, and outdoor outlets.
20. Overlamping
This is such an avoidable electrical problem, but it’s also a potentially deadly one. Overlamping is when a fixture is using a light bulb with higher wattage than the fixture was designed for. This can present serious danger because the heat of the bulb can melt or scorch the socket and the wires’ insulation, which can lead to arcing which is a common cause of electrical fires.
To prevent this, simply use bulbs that are within the recommended wattage listed on the fixture–if there is no wattage listed, play it safe and stick to 60-watt or smaller bulbs.
How To Solve Common Electrical Problems
Now that you’re aware of the most common electrical problems that arise in homes and offices, stay alert, look for warning signs, and rely on the professionals at Connected Electrical to handle any electrical work or repairs your home or office may need.
We proudly serve Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Trumbull counties and ensure you receive nothing less than a Five-Star experience whenever our licensed professionals provide service. Don’t see your region listed here? Give us a call. We’re expanding our reach, so your area may have been newly added to the places we serve.
Whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial business, you can rely on Connected Electrical for prompt, professional service. Call us at (216) 238-5314 if you’re in the Greater Cleveland area, or (330) 574-4285 if you’re located in the Akron/Youngstown area.
