Australia is at the forefront of electrical safety but electrical problems can still occur in homes and businesses. Mistakes happen and equipment degrades over time all of which can create electrical issues which if left unattended can lead to repairs ranging from the mild to the serious. Spikes in energy bills, flickering lights, and ruined appliances are all warning signs of electrical issues in house that need to be diagnosed and treated. Our topic today covers seven common electrical problems that may occur in your home or business. These problems can be become dangerous so if they occur, contact a professional electrician to safely resolve the situation.
Need a professional opinion? Gimpel Electrics are licensed electrical contractors with decades of experience in fixing electrical issues. For further enquiries, contact us on (07) 3343 4066 to learn more.
7 Common Electrical Problems
We use electricity constantly which may lead some people to ignore or overlook the danger in even minor electrical issues. Our familiarity with electricity can be dangerous especially if mixed with overconfidence. Keep in mind that safely identifying and handling electrical issues in house is the job of electricians so stay safe and leave the job to an experienced professional.
Overloaded Circuits
A major contributor to circuit breakers tripping is an overloaded circuit. It is one of the most common electrical issues and is brought on by having too many appliances plugged into the same circuit. Circuits can also be overloaded by a current exceeding the circuit breakers rating capacity; this can happen by using a high wattage light bulb in a low wattage fixture.
Electrical Surges
Electrical surges are caused by a variety of circumstances such as damaged power lines, lightning, poor wiring, or malfunctioning appliances. The surge may be short, but the potential damage erodes the connected components which can lead to further problems.
Flickering Lights
Flickering lights can lead to worse electrical problems and have a range of causes, including:
- Worn out or old wiring
- Loose or faulty connections
- Outdated electrical equipment
- Old fixtures
- Incompatible fittings and dimmer switches
If you are experiencing flickering lights, ask a professional electrician to perform a thorough inspection of your wiring and fixtures.
Dips and Sags in Power
Voltage dips are a short-term drop in voltage while sags are longer-term drops. Sags and dips in power may be caused by larger devices that are shoddily made or malfunctioning causing them to use a lot of power.
Light Bulbs that Routinely Burn Out
Bulbs can burn out for a variety of reasons:
- Wattage that is extremely high
- Insulation too near to the bulb
- In cases of flickering, a poor connection to the circuit
- Circuits that are poorly wired
- When using a dimmer switch, there may be too much wattage on one switch
- Poor wiring
Finding the exact cause can be difficult, so if you are using up a lot of light bulbs contact an electrician to help diagnose the problem.
Electrical Shocks
Poor wiring, faulty outlets, and malfunctioning equipment can all cause electric shocks. They occur as a device is turned on or off and the voltage surpasses 120V. While many shocks can be mild they have the potential to be extremely dangerous.
Large Electric Bills
High electricity bills can be caused by several factors:
- Damaged wiring or circuits
- Devices and appliances that consistently draw power
- Providers with high rates
- Using electrical equipment that causes power surges
- Malfunctioning hot water system
Having Electrical Issues?
Gimpel Electrics are domestic electricians Brisbane homeowners look to for expert and effective service and advice. We are a family-owned business with more than three decades of experience in the electrical industry. If you need electrical repairs or have any questions reach out to us on (07) 3343 4066, email contact-us@gimpelelectrics.com.au, or contact us online.
