If you have a newer home or an older home with a newer electrical system, your electricity should be fairly safe if it's up to code. However, any electrical system, no matter how old it is, can develop problems and need the help of an electrician. Sometimes, you might even need emergency help if your electricity is sparking or if outlets are hot. Here's when it's a good time to call an electrical contractor.
When A Circuit Breaker Trips Often
A circuit breaker is a safety device that shuts down if there's a power surge, large draw, or other problem with your electricity. When the breaker shuts off, you can usually reset it to get the electricity flowing to the circuit again. If the breaker flips back off right away, that's a sign something could be wrong and your electrical circuit might not be safe.
When your breaker keeps flipping off, call an electrician to determine why it's happening. A common cause is an overloaded circuit. To fix this problem, the electrical contractor might need to add another circuit to your electrical panel so you don't have too many things plugged into a single circuit.
When You Get A Shock, See Sparks, Or Feel Heat
If you feel heat, see sparks, get an electrical shock when you touch something plugged in, or hear buzzing along electrical lines, call an electrical contractor to check your system. These are all signs your electricity might not be safe and that an electrical fire is a possibility.
The problem might be isolated to an appliance, such as a short in a stove. The problem might also be with wiring hidden behind the walls. It's important to track down the source of the problem so the electrician can determine the types of repairs that need to be done, such as replacing wiring, putting in a new outlet, or replacing an appliance.
When You Need New Outlets Or Lights
While you might do a lot of home improvements and upgrades by yourself, it's usually best to hire a licensed electrical contractor to work on your electrical system. Your local codes may even require a permit and a licensed electrician to do the work.
If your home needs new outlets, especially in your kitchen where you use a lot of appliances, hire an electrician to install them for you. They can even put in dedicated circuits if appliances need them. If you have a new electric car, you may need an outlet and dedicated circuit to charge it.
You can hire an electrician to do home upgrades like installing recessed lighting or a new ceiling fan. An electrician can even install wiring for a TV wall mount or hook up an entertainment system. When you let an electrician handle your home upgrades, you don't have to worry about overloading circuits or being injured by working on electrical parts yourself.
Share11 May 2022
When you hear the word "electrician," what comes to mind? Some people imagine a contractor holding a sparking wire in their hands. But in fact, electricians do their best to avoid sparking and zapping anything. They spent a lot of time learning how to avoid such issues as they can be dangerous, leading to fires and injuries. Electricians do work hard to run wires through homes, install outlets, and mount lights. The just aim to do so without zapping anyone! If you'd like to learn more about electricians and their work, then you're invited to read the articles on this blog.
