Electricity is a complicated matter. Before doing any electrical work, homeowners should consult with a professional San Leandro electrician to decide what to do or not. Keep in mind that making the wrong mistakes may have grave consequences.
In this blog, we will discuss common electrical mistakes that house owners must avoid to prevent any accidents.
Read on.
The Types of Mistakes Homeowners Often Make
There are ample examples of mistakes homeowners make regarding electricity, from improper grounding to overloading circuits and faulty wire connections. The most common mistakes include:
- Overloading power strips
- Running an extension cord under a rug
- Connecting multiple extension cords together
- Using a cord labeled for indoor use outside
Leave Unused Appliances Plugged In
In most households, people plug in their appliances even if they are not used at that moment. And this, my friend, is not healthy for your electricity and your finances. Unplugging the appliances when you are not using them lowers your utility bill. Remember that the electrical appliances draw power when they are not running. In addition, a sudden power surge can damage your appliances if they are plugged in.
Do Not Ignore Electrical Warning Signs
If you notice loose outlets, overheating wires, and frayed cords in your home’s electrical system, then don’t ignore these signs. Contact a professional San Leandro electric as soon as possible. These signs may not lead to any dangerous issues right now, but they may become dangerous if you ignore them for too long.
You should always inspect the wires before plugging them into electrical appliances, and don’t forget to check them too to see if there is any issue. Signs of an electrical issue can include:
- Wobbly outlets
- Burning smell
- Sparking
- Light flickering
- Breakers constantly tripping
- black char marks on outlets
- Buzzing sounds
- Outlets that feel hot
Overloading Circuits
When you run several wires on a single circuit, it may cause overloading and lead the breaker to trip and other problems like overheating. Remember that large appliances like fridges and air conditioners draw a huge amount of energy, and they need dedicated circuits. You can overload a circuit easily if there are lots of small items running together.
To prevent this issue, all you have to do is move plugged-in items to another circuit if possible. Having doubts in mind? Don’t do anything on your own. Contact an experienced San Leandro electrician to assess the whole situation and make a sound decision.
Not Labeling the Circuit Breakers
Most homeowners don’t have any idea about the circuit breakers at all. For example, many of them don’t know which circuit breaker controls which area of your house. Having a clear idea about the circuit breaker will help you manage any emergency situations.
For instance, if you want to cut the power of a certain area quickly, having labels will allow you to find the breaker quickly. The labels assist you in securely completing electrical work by assisting you in turning off the appropriate circuit. Additionally, having a properly labeled breaker system allows electricians to finish their work more quickly.
Since breakers aren’t often neatly assigned to a single area, mapping them is a time-consuming operation. Check all outlets and switches in the house to determine which ones are on, and then turn off one breaker at a time for accuracy. Next, use a permanent marker or pen to write legible labels, which you should then place next to the appropriate breaker.
However, if you want to hire any renowned San Leandro electrician, contact Boyes Electric.
