Understanding electrical issues require sound technical know-how which is not easy to develop overnight. Thus distinguishing the difference between a mundane electrical issue and a serious one is never easy, especially for ordinary people. Considering this ever-existing breach let us explore how to determine when an electrical socket needs a replacement. In addition to that this blog post also covers when a thorough electrical test is required in your property and when to pull y6our socks up and take the matter seriously related to issues popping up in your wiring.
Before we begin here are a few forewords that are worth mentioning. Usually, the frequency of the recurring issues is the best indicator to know when professional intervention is inevitable. If the problem in hand is found related to a particular aspect of your electrics system, then chances are higher that you need to replace a socket without further delay.
First, let us sum up the prime hazards of electricity. This will help us going through the remaining sections of this blog post easier.
The main hazards of electricity include the following:
- Electrical shock is unavoidable whenever you come in contact with li8ve electrical systems. These shocks may result in severe burns and injuries.
- Exposed electrical arcing may cause injury.
- Chances of electrical fire are high from faulty electrical wiring, equipment or installations.
- Static electricity can ignite dust and flammable vapors.
- Unsuitable electrical items may trigger an explosion.
Indicators that reveal an electrics system has an issue to deal with include the following:
Consistently flickering or deemed lights
Frayed and damaged wiring is known to toss up issues with the lighting in your home or office. It is also important to remember that lighting comes with a predetermined shelf life. Therefore attempts of fixing them often make them prone to developing faults. This is even more relevant when the wiring is done correctly.
In this situation, your property may be in need of an electrical socket replacement. The lighting technology has moved on to a brand new age with LED bulbs, fixings, and panels. This has greatly reduced the chances of faulty lighting and its replacement. LED lighting not only lasts longer but also consumes much less power to keep your utility bills nominal throughout the year. If your lighting is very old by now consider an upgrade with more efficient LED fixtures.
Lighting ideas for older office buildings
Older buildings – both commercial and residential – usually have outdated wiring. As it has already been mentioned before, older lighting systems are more prone to have issues. The same is true for electrical wiring in older buildings as well. Older buildings that have already been refurbished to give a modern look have a larger gap to bridge their existing wiring with the modern ones. It is an undeniable truth that electrical wiring requires maintenance at least to some extent or the other. In addition to that routine electrical testing must be continued with to be on the safer side. In easier words, the ever-evolving lighting technology demands greats consideration for electrical wiring.
Dealing with the smell of burning and smoke
If you ever come across this circumstance immediately contact an emergency electrician. A qualified and licensed electrician possesses the necessary technical know how to inspect the electrical outlets to dig out the reason for the problem. Usually factors like badly damaged wires and overworked circuit are found to be responsible for the outcome. It is far better that even before contacting an emergency electrician you reach out to the circuit breaker box and switch off the power supply to that particular area of the building. This ensures greater safety for lives as well as the property concerned.
Continuous tripping of the circuit breaker
When certain areas of your property have sunk in darkness while the rest of the building has a normal power connection it indicates the electrical circuit breaker responsible for the power supply to that particular affected area of the building has tripped. For greater convenience electrical wiring in any building is usually split into a number of circuits. When a circuit develops an issue, the breaker responsible for that particular circuit trips. The other circuits remain operative without a fuss. However this problem if repeats itself recurring times, then chances are high that your electrics system is being compelled to overwork. Such overworked systems often require a replacement here and there to ensure smooth and efficient functioning of the wiring.
Few common factors responsible for tripping of an electric breaker include the following:
- A ground fault
- An overloaded circuit
- An arc fault and
- A short circuit
Recurring tripping of a circuit is not a good sign. You should call in a licensed electrician to investigate the matter and provide you with a permanent solution.
The takeaway
The only thing to consider about electrical wiring is whenever there is a doubt get it tested. Electricity is potentially hazardous. Therefore, it makes an awesome lot of sense to be safe rather than sorry and regret later.
More on electrical sockets
An electrical outlet is known by various names – electrical sockets, plugs, outlets, wall plugs, and others. It is a device that allows electrical equipment to connect to an electrical grid. The grid on the other hand provides the outlet with alternating current. Electrical sockets or outlets can be broadly divided into two categories – domestic and commercial.
An electrical outlet represents somewhat like a ‘loop of wire’. When you plug an electrical device into the outlet, it completes the loop. As a result, electricity flows uninterruptedly through the device so that it can operate or perform the task it is meant for. In alternate words, each side of an electrical outlet is nothing less than a terminal.
Domestic sockets on the other hand supply 220 to 240 volts in Europe. As such most countries have their outlet supplying voltages earmarked within that value, says a widely recommended electrician in London.
As far as the size and the shape of sockets are concerned, they vary widely across nations. However, these variations do not affect the basic design of the equipment. All sockets that have been designed so far are meant to perform a single task – to create a circuit to draw power from an electrical grid.
