From powering lights and appliances to keeping our gadgets charged, we rely on electrical systems to run smoothly. When electrical issues occur, it’s important to know when to call a St Louis electrical contractor to help identify and solve these problems.
This article will discuss some common electrical issues in homes and how an experienced electrical contractor can help you fix them.
1. Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
A circuit breaker is a safety device that prevents your electrical system from overloading. If too many devices are plugged into a circuit, or if there’s a fault in the wiring, the breaker trips to prevent a fire or other hazards.
However, if you notice that your circuit breaker trips often, this could indicate an electrical problem.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
An experienced St Louis electrician will inspect the circuit and identify the root cause of the problem. It could be an overloaded circuit, faulty wiring, or a broken breaker. The contractor will add circuits or upgrade the existing system to ensure your electrical supply is safe and reliable.
2. Flickering Or Dimming Lights
Have you ever noticed your lights flickering or dimming when you turn on an appliance or when there are weather changes?
While this might seem minor, it could indicate a larger problem in your electrical system. Flickering or dimming lights often occur when there is a fluctuation in voltage or power.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
A licensed contractor can check for loose wiring, faulty switches, or an issue with the power supply. If your electrical panel is outdated or does not supply consistent voltage, they might suggest upgrading it to solve the issue.
Fixing this problem quickly is important because electrical problems that affect lighting can sometimes lead to more serious hazards, like fires.
3. Dead Outlets Or Switches
If you plug something into an outlet and it doesn’t work, or a light switch no longer turns on the lights, this could indicate a problem with the outlet or wiring.
Dead outlets are a common issue and can be caused by various things, such as a blown fuse, a tripped breaker, or faulty wiring.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
St Louis electricians will first check if the breaker has tripped or the fuse has blown. If those are not the causes, they will look into the outlet’s wiring or switch.
Sometimes, wiring can become loose or damaged over time. An experienced contractor will repair or replace the wiring to ensure your outlets and switches work properly and safely.
4. Power Surges
A power surge occurs when there is a sudden spike in the electrical current. This can happen for various reasons, such as lightning storms, faulty appliances, or issues with the power grid.
Power surges can damage your electronics and appliances, causing them to stop working or even catch fire.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
An experienced contractor can install a surge protector for your home, which helps protect sensitive devices like computers, televisions, and refrigerators from power surges.
Surge protectors can be installed at the circuit breaker panel or as individual devices plugged into outlets. This is a simple and cost-effective way to protect your home from damage caused by electrical surges.
5. Overloaded Outlets
If you constantly plug multiple devices into a single outlet using power strips, you’re likely overloading that outlet. Overloading can cause the outlet to overheat, increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
An electrical contractor can assess your home’s electrical needs and recommend solutions to prevent overloading.
They may add extra outlets in rooms where you need them or suggest a dedicated circuit for high-demand devices like air conditioners or refrigerators.
Adding more outlets to reduce the need for power strips is a simple way to improve electrical safety in your home.
6. Burning Smell Or Sparks From Outlets
If you ever smell something burning near an outlet or see sparks coming from an appliance or outlet, this is a serious electrical issue that should never be ignored. It could be caused by faulty wiring, overheating, or an electrical short.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
If you notice this problem, immediately turn off the power to that area and call a licensed electrical contractor.
They will inspect your wiring and outlets to identify the cause of the burning smell or sparks.
A professional contractor can replace damaged wiring, outlets, or appliances to ensure your home is safe from electrical hazards.
7. High Electric Bills
If your electric bill is higher than usual, this could be due to an electrical issue. Sometimes, a malfunctioning appliance, poor insulation, or even inefficient wiring can cause electricity to be used more than it should.
- How an Electrical Contractor Can Help:
An electrical contractor can inspect your home to determine if your electrical system uses more energy than it needs.
They can identify problems such as outdated lighting, faulty appliances, or poor insulation that may increase your electric usage. They can help you save money on your monthly electric bill by fixing these issues.
Conclusion
Electrical issues in your home can be annoying, but with the help of an experienced electrical contractor, they can be easily fixed.
From circuit breaker trips and flickering lights to power surges and overloaded outlets, a licensed contractor can diagnose the problem and ensure your home’s electrical system is safe, efficient, and functioning properly.
Electrical issues can sometimes be dangerous, so if you notice any problems, it’s important to call a professional like Bates Electric.
They’ll have the knowledge and experience to fix the issue safely and prevent bigger problems. Always prioritize safety, and don’t hesitate to contact an electrical contractor when you need help!
