10 Most Common Electrical Issues in Home

 Understanding electricity is an art, one that not all of us can perfect.

It is okay not to fully understand what makes our modern world go around, but it is important to educate yourself on the basics of electricity and how to respond when a common electrical issues arises in your home.

So, what are the most common electrical issues that arise in homes today and how can they be addressed? When do you need to call an electrician? Keep reading to ensure you keep you and your family safe in your home.

#10. Unorganized Wires

Do you know where your junction box is? It would be a good idea to put identifying its location on the top of  your to-do list. When you find it, make sure it is covered. A junction box is supposed to keep an influx of different wires safe and organized. If this box is uncovered, it is likely violating code and can be very dangerous. An uncovered junction box can lead to damaged and frayed wires. If you need help locating your junction box and getting it reorganized, click here and B&W can get an expert electrician to help you.

It is a good idea to get an electrical inspection on your home to make sure everything is  up to code to avoid electrical issues in the near future.

#9. Exposed wires

Exposed wires can be a danger to those in your home. If you notice that wires are exposed or damaged, turn off your power and tape them up. If you are uncomfortable with doing this task, you can always hire an electrician to do it for you safely.

#8. Power Surges

What is a power surge? A power surge is an electrical issue that arises when power comes through at a higher voltage than normal. Surges can by internal or external forces. These can include lightening striking the home, poor electrical wiring in the home, appliances that are not operating properly, and damaged power lines. Frequent surges can cause damage to your appliances. The best way to prevent surges are to make sure that you are not overloading your outlets and to make sure to connect any poor quality devices from your outlets. If the surges to not stop after you do this, reach out to your electrician.

#7. Lighting Problems

Have you noticed your lights going out frequently? Are you noticing that they are more dim than usual? Are they flickering? Buzzing? These are common lighting issues homeowners run into. These issues could be caused by the following:

  • High voltage
  • Light bulb is screwed in too tight
  • Improper wiring
  • Wattage is incorrect or too high
  • Improper air circulation

Before calling a professional, check if the holder is loose and if the wattage for the bulbs are correct. If those are not the issue, you should call an experienced electrician.

#6. Circuit Breakers Tripping

Circuit breakers tripping could be a good sign that your home is protected. If too many high power appliances are plugged in to one source at a time, there is a great chance that your breaker will trip. If lowering your power settings and unplugging them does not fix the issue though, there is likely bad or loose wiring somewhere. Make sure you call an electrician to safely identify this problem and get it fixed as soon as possible.

#5. High Electrical Bills

There are not many things worse than paying for a high energy bill. What is causing those numbers to go up? There could be some electrical issues going on or you can just change some of your daily habits to help decrease that bill. Here are some changes you can make to cut your energy cost:

  • Unplug devices you are not using
  • Turn your lights off when you are not using them
  • Utilize natural lighting during the day
  • Make the switch to LED lights
  • Put decorative lights on a timer
  • Identify devices that may be causing electrical surges
  • Get faulty wiring fixed

#4. Light Switches Not Working

This is a common issue that arises when the switches were not installed properly. This could also be a result of low grade products being used. This issue should be addressed by an electrician as it can be a dangerous task for the typical homeowner.

#3. Outlets not working

Do you have an outlet that is not working? What could the cause be and how do you address this problem?

The circuit breaker tripping is one of the most common causes. This is an easy fix! Just find the switch that tripped and switch it off and on.

Other issues that could be the cause are faulty, burned out, or half-hot outlets along with blown fuses or loose wires. If you do not feel comfortable identifying the issue yourself, call a professional to identify and install new outlets for you. This could be a very dangerous job, so a professional is highly recommended.

If your house is older, you may not have a Ground Fault Interrupter’s (GFI’s) installed. If you do not have a GFI installed it is likely that two different outlets are connected that you would not expect a bathroom outlet and a bedroom outlet to be connected. Not only are GFI’s there to keep you safe, it could cause multiple outlets to have issues without knowing why.

#2. Electrical Shocks

Getting shocked when using a product could be jarring. If you plug in another product and you get shocked again, there is an obvious electrical problem present and you need to call an electrician as soon as possible to avoid getting hurt.

#1. Warm or Sparking Outlets and Switches

If your outlets and switches feel warm to the touch or if you notices sparks coming from the outlets when you plug something in, discontinue use of the plug immediately and call an electrician near you. This could be very dangerous, causing an electrical fire.

We hope that we were able to help you identify some of the most common electrical issues in your home, apartment or business. If you are in the surrounding Indianapolis area, our licensed electricians at B&W would love to help you identify and fix your electrical problems to keep you and your family safe in your home. Call 317-243-3581 or schedule a service online to get an electrician out to you as soon as possible!