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Serving the South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington Areas Since 1976

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Sunset Air Blog

Electrical Problems and Their Symptoms

electrical-appliancesElectrical issues are not something you should ever take lightly. Because we rely on our electrical systems during so much of the day, every day, many of us have a tendency to take those systems for granted. A home’s electrical system is just as susceptible to problems as any other system, and many of these problems can be very dangerous. House fires and electrocution are common results of these issues, which is why it’s all the more important to know how to identify them so that they can be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Short Circuits

The most common kind of electrical problems is short circuits. This is when part of the wire connects to something that it shouldn’t, diverting part or all of the electrical current from its intended path. This could be due to a frayed section of exposed wire, or a simple mistake in the initial wiring. Either way, it’s not good. Short circuits can start fires in the walls of a home, or can even cause electrocution if they occur in something like the power cord of an appliance.

There are a couple of ways to identify a possible short circuit. If the lights in a part of your home start flickering on a regular basis, it could mean that there is a short circuit partially diverting current away from that circuit. Any kind of frayed wiring that you can see should be replaced immediately, as uninsulated wires can transmit their current into anything that offers less resistance.

You should also feel along the walls if you suspect that there might be a short circuit in that area. If you find an area of the wall that is much hotter than it should be, that could mean that there is a short circuit in that spot. This is especially common in and around light switches, which can become quite warm if the current is flowing in a way that it isn’t supposed to. Please keep in mind that this particular symptom won’t really apply in the case of dimmer switches, as they operate differently.

Electrical Panel Failure

The electrical panel in your home is a vital part of keeping your home’s electrical system in good shape. However, it can develop its own set of problems. If your electrical panel starts to trip frequently, you should probably have it checked. That could be a sign that there’s a problem with the panel itself, which can cause issues for the rest of your electrical system. As a rule of thumb, any time your electrical panel starts to display unusual behavior, you should get it checked out as soon as possible. If the panel isn’t working right, then it can’t be counted on to protect your home in case any other electrical issues come up.

Sunset Air offers comprehensive electrical services. If you need an electrician in Puyallup, WA, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. We’ll make sure that your electrical system is in good shape.

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