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Common Home Electrical Issues and What You Should Check

Electrical issues can be a pain, especially when they happen at home. There are many things that may go wrong with your electrical system, but there are also ways to fix them! In this article, we will discuss some common electrical issues and how to solve them.

A Broken Light Switch

There are many reasons why this could happen, but the most common reason is because of a faulty or jammed breaker in your fuse box. To fix this problem follow these steps:  First shut off power to the switch and go to your circuit breaker panel and locate the breaker that is controlling the area.  Inspect the breaker for any abnormalities.  If there are no visible problems try to reset the circuit breaker by fully turning it off then back on.  If this does not solve the problem it may be time for an electrician!

Flickering Light

Flickering lights can be a result of several different issues such as too many light bulbs or dimmers on the same circuit. If you have more than one bulb flickering it may also mean that there is an issue with your electricity or a bad connection that could result in arcing – loose/corroded connections making irregular contact that might cause sparking, overheating, and fire.  Flickering lights can also be caused by loose wiring connections, deteriorating insulation around the wire or corroded wires, damaged switches and receptacles.  To fix flickering lights you can try checking the wiring connections and insulation.  If these do not work, it could be time to call an electrician!

Dead Outlets

Dead outlets are typically caused by loose connections, corroded wires or damaged outlets. The first thing you should do when your outlets stop working is check to see if the switch has actually been turned off.  If it has not then check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped.  If the circuit breaker is intact try resetting it to restore power, but if that does not work then you will want to inspect your outlets for loose wiring or corrosion and replace any damaged items.  If you can’t find the problem it’s time to call an electrician.

A Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently

This could mean that there are too many appliances or devices being used on one circuit, or it may also be because of faulty breakers – they have gone bad.  First unplug some of your appliances and devices on that circuit, if it still trips then you will want to contact an electrician.