What to Do When Your House Has an Electrical Shortage
A blown fuse, electrical short or other minor problem that may leave areas of the home without power can often be much easier to address than many homeowners might expect. It is always important to remember that issues with the home’s electrical system may represent a potential fire or safety hazard and homeowners need to take whatever steps are necessary to protect themselves and their surroundings. A quick and easy fix may be all that is needed to deal with the problem, provided property owners know how to go about identifying the source of the short.
Safety Concerns
Electrical components that are designed to carry live current can pose a significant safety risk, especially for those who lack the right equipment or who have little to no experience working with electricity. Taking proper precautions, such as ensuring that the power has been switched off at the breaker box, is of paramount importance. Calling a qualified electrician to deal with even a minor problem may be the smartest way to approach the situation for those who are unable to safely tackle the job on their own.
Identifying the Short
A short is usually caused by a single faulty component. After checking that none of the breakers have been tripped and that all fuses are intact, the next step is to turn the power off and on in different rooms and areas of the home. Once the problem has been localized it becomes easier to test the power at each switch and outlet by attempting to turn-on a light fixture or other electrical device. A short that has been isolated to a specific outlet means that homeowners can begin testing or assessing specific wires and components in order to identify any that will need to be replaced.
Inspecting Fuses, Wires and Other Components
After confirming that electrical power has been switched off to any wires or components that homeowners plan to work with, an assessment can be performed. Begin by removing outlet covers, opening junction boxes as well as any other materials that might restrict access to the wires and other components. A visual inspection may be all that is needed in order to identify damaged components, frayed wiring or other potential issues. Shorts can be difficult to track down and each component may needed to be tested using a voltage meter in order to correctly identify the source of the problem.
Replacing Faulty Equipment
Installation of new wires or other basic household electrical components is typically a straightforward task that can often be completed with basic hand tools. Care should always be taken to ensure that new equipment is able to safely handle the voltage and has been installed correctly. Safety is just as important during the installation process and should never be taken lightly.
Knowing When to Call the Professionals
Even the most handy homeowners may not always be able to track down the source of a short. While being able to identify, address and resolve a variety of common household electrical problems can save on repair costs, Knowing when a job is too big can also be very important. Homeowners who are out of their depth or whose best efforts have been unable to remedy the situation would do well to contact a professional electrician in order to ensure that a short or other minor problem is able to be dealt with properly.