Most Common Electrical Problems – Part 1​.

Flickering lights, high bills and damaged appliances can all be signs of electrical problems in your home. Here’s how to deal with the most common issues (part 1 of 6).

Power Goes Out (e.g. Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently)

Other than external events, like damaged power lines, loss of power is often caused by the tripping of a circuit breaker (or a blown fuse in older homes). Before you investigate, flick the switch to the off position for as many lights or plugged-in appliances as you can. This will prevent a sudden surge of power going through the affected circuit breaker or fuse when you reset the power. Find and open the switchboard box and look for any switches that aren’t in the “on” position and turning them back on. For older houses, there should be a main power switch you can turn off before checking and replacing any blown fuses.

High wattage appliances like microwaves and hairdryers can trip circuit breakers, particularly when other power consuming items are used on the same source. A circuit breaker is designed to protect you and your home, so when it does trip, that means it is working as it should.

Look at what you were using when it tripped. If it was a hair dryer, try using the low setting. Alternatively, avoid using other devices on the same circuit while high wattage ones are in use. If it is not convenient to do this, then you will need to have Mellor Electrical add an additional circuit in the area of high usage.

One of the biggest causes of frequent circuit breaker tripping is overloaded power boards. Most residences don’t have enough power points to cater to, for example, a complete home entertainment system.

To prevent circuit overload, try spreading your electrical needs around, so as to not overburden a single circuit, and never daisy-chain power boards. Also unplug devices that aren’t in use (e.g. phone chargers still draw power even when not in use).

WHAT TO DO IF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PERSIST

Safety around the home is paramount, so if electrical problems are ongoing around your home, you should contact the Mellor Electrical Group.

If you’re ever unsure about the electrical safety of your home, the Mellor Electrical Group will answer your questions. For peace of mind, have an electrical safety check done by one of our expert electricians.

Stay tuned for more posts about common electrical problems and how to deal with them.