Electrical Safety in the Workplace

4 Signs of a Faulty Electrical System That You Must Never Ignore

If you have experienced an electrical accident in the past, you fully understand how traumatising and scary it can be. One of the major causes of electrical accidents is faulty wiring. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims of electrical accidents. 

First, you should schedule regular electrical inspections by a licensed electrician to ensure that the system is working as it should. Secondly, you should stay alert to identify the signs indicating that all is not well in your system. This article looks are some of the warnings signs of electrical faults you should never ignore:

1. Do Not Ignore a Tripping Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker is meant to trip each time there is an overload in one of your sockets. An overload automatically switches off the entire power system through the breaker. Once you turn it back on, your system will be restored. However, there is a problem if your breaker trips excessively. When you have to reset your circuit breaker several times a month, it shows a deeper problem that requires an electrician's intervention.

2. Do Not Ignore Dimming or Flickering Bulbs

Naturally, light bulbs do not use up a lot of power. For that reason, they will unlikely flicker or become dim due to the low power supply. Mostly, the issue is connected to other appliances in your home that rely on the same circuit. 

Heavy appliances that heat or cool during operation, like a washing machine, usually draw more power. As they consume more power, they cause the lights to flicker or go dim. An electrician can prevent such issues by separating the circuits. For example, the bulbs can use a different circuit from the one used by heavy appliances.

3. Do Not Ignore Burning Smells 

Never take a burning smell lightly because it means that something is not well in your electrical system. The smell arises from hot cables burn the insulating material covering them. You need to call an electrician right away because exposed wires can easily cause an electrical fire.

4. Do Not Ignore Discoloured Sockets

Apart from the burning smells, you might also notice that some of your sockets are discoloured. The colour change happens when the hot wires heat the sockets. Additionally, the sockets may begin to lose shape. You need to contact an electrician as soon as you notice these issues.

If you detect any of the above signs, you should call an electrician immediately. They will diagnose and fix the underlying issue before it causes damages or injuries. Contact an electrician for more information. 


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