Top 4 Most Common Electrical Failures and How to Fix it !

Unlike other kinds of failures, electrical failures all follow a specific logic: Often, there is no compelling reason to panic. Most of the time, it does the trick to think serenely and to find the cause of the failure as soon as possible. Identifying the problem is the first step to solving it. Is the failure coming from the electrical board, the wiring or from one of the associated gadgets? 

We are here to answer these questions, and to tell you what actions you can take to prevent and solve the most common electrical issues you can find at home.

Realizing how to determine electrical failures will make your family electrical installation last longer!

Most Common electrical failures at home

1/ Electrical shocks:

One of the most common electrical failures around houses, are electrical shocks. It is a very unpleasant experience, generally due to improper use of electricity in your house. This issue can also be caused by a conception error from one on your device. It is something remind you that electricity could be very dangerous and should not be treated lightly.

Electrical shoks generally happened when you turn on devices. The problem may come from the appliance or from the wiring. To find out, you can check by plugging in another device to see if you have the same result. For your safety and your family’s it is advisable to call your electrician immediately.

2/ Loose electrical outlets:

Electrical outlets are part of our daily lives, and we use them all the time. However, sometime, due to an intensive use or because of having to force a plug into the same outlet several times, the outlet may cease to function. Replacing an electrical socket is not difficult, but it does require some knowledge of electronics. 

To repair your outlet just make sure to turn off the power specific to the room you are in and remove the outlet from the box using a screwdriver. Then, you will need to add outlet shims, that will compensate any gap between the screws and the recessed box.  At the end of this operation, replace the defective plug with a new one and test it. Be careful, however, to test your plug with a device that is not essential to your daily life! 

In case it still does not work, or you have even the slightest doubt in your ability to make it, be safe and call a professional. He will be able to fix your loose outlets or any other electrical problems.

3/ Bulbs burning out frequently:

Light bulbs can be expected to last about a thousand of hours. However, for certain reason they can keep burning out long before they should. This is a fairly common problem, and can have several causes:

 For example, it could be connected improperly, or you may be using the wrong type of light bulbs. In this case you can fix this issue by your own.

It is possible that the electrical failures can persist. The reason is more serious and difficult to locate, like high voltage in your home. In that case,it is better for you to call a licensed electrician. He can check your electrical supply, determine the source of the problem, and come up with the right solution to fix it.

4/ Light switches do not work properly:

A broken light switch can be a real annoyance around the house or at your workplace. This problem can usually be attributed to substandard products.

If your light switch does not work, there is no need to panic. The good news is that you can often replace it on your own with a little knowledge of electricity, taking some precautions of course!  <Check out this Tutorial to learn how to change your light switch>

But if you don’t feel confident enough to fix it on yourself, don’t hesitate to call a licensed professional to come take care of the problem. It will be safer for you and your family and will assure you a work well done.

Who to hire for your electrical failures?

When it comes to fix an electrical failures at home, you usually get confused about who to hire to get the job done properly. At this point, you have a choice to make: Hire a licensed or an un unlicensed electrician.

Most of the time, the price of the intervention is one of the main deciding factors.

To decide which electrician to hire, it is necessary to understand that it is possible to call on electricians who have no certification or on a professional electrician. Theses workers are licensed by the state and guarantees a higher quality of work.

Licensed Electrician

If you choose to hire a licensed electrician, it would be a little bit more expensive, but the work is worth every penny! The worker is qualified to perform the best services from the smallest work to the huger projects. From lighting upgrades to full remodels, he can help you with any issue tied into your home’s electrical system.

Licensed electricians have the right qualifications and licenses to practice and, they will have a clear idea about the permits required for the different type of electrical work because, most of them needs to be done with a permit. They offer a warranty for the work provided meaning that liability insurances are more likely to pay out if something bad happens on or after a job has been done.

The most important point being licensed means they will work according to safety guidelines stipulated by the national electrical code. They can handle electrical works with better safety, and expertise.

Hiring a licensed electrician really covers you in the long, preventing electrical hazards, and failures. 

Unlicensed Electricians 

Unlicensed electricians are less expensive than the licensed one, that is a fact. However, they are cheaper because they are not allowed to work, as they do not carry liability and home insurance. In fact, any kind of damage due to work done by unlicensed electrician are not covered by insurances. Unlicensed workers do not have any specialization in electrical. Most of the time they do not even have the sufficient knowledge and the right skill to carry electrical works.

Therefore, its risky and quite dangerous to hire an unlicensed electrician for your safety, and for the potential material cost damages. (Fire, shocks, electrical failures)

Examples of unlicensed electrical mistakes.

Using the wrong wires:

Unlicensed electrician may use inappropriate wires for the situation. Too small wire gauge will result in an overheating conductor and voltage loss. Too large wire gauge could also be a problem: the larger it is, the more expensive it is. Finding the perfect combination between safety and price is what a licensed electrician knows how to do.

Reversed polarity:

This mistake is the main source of electrical shocks and one of the most dangerous of all common mistakes. Switching the hot and the neutral electrical wire can damage all your electronics devices at home, added to electrical shocks which could be mortal danger.

Unsecured outlets /switch:

This mistake represents a serious risk of electrical fire, if it is not fixed as soon as possible. Outlets and lights switch should be firmly attached, otherwise it tends to move. A professional will mount the outlets and light switches in correct a way in their boxes using shims.

Improper junction box:

Most of the unlicensed electrician don’t know how to install proper junction box and, in few cases, they don’t use it at all. This method is used to protect your electrical connections and to prevent the spread of heat in case of loose connection. The box must not be hidden or buried; it should be accessible in case electrical repairs are needed.