The integrity of your electrical systems is important for safety reasons. Being able to identify a faulty circuit can help save your life and property. Read on to learn more.
How to Identify a Faulty Circuit
When trying to identify the source of a faulty circuit, you must first check out the breaker panel. This is usually located in the wall in the basement, attic, or garage. When a circuit malfunctions, the switch to that particular circuit will “trip” or switch off. A circuit breaker has numerous electrical connections. Unfortunately, over time, these connections can become loose, corroded, or even damaged. Faulty connections can result in overloads and consistently tripped breakers.
Signs of loose or faulty connections will vary, however, common signs include:
- Tripped breakers caused by circuit overloading
- Melted housing which is a sign of excessive heat
- Discoloration or corrosion around a wire’s connection which is usually a sign of old age or excessive moisture
- A burning odor
- Noticeable heat around switches, breakers or outlets
- Loose wires that provide poor connections and can cause circuit overloading
For safety reasons, always hire a professional to address any connection-related problems. However, there is one repair you can make on your own. Swapping out faulty or mismatched breakers is a simple job that doesn’t require working with dangerous electrical systems. For anything else, contact your local electrician.
Hire a Professional
If you notice a faulty circuit within your home that can’t simply be replaced, contact Tim Kyle’s residential electrical services in Sykesville. Hiring a professional to perform electrical work will protect you as the property owner in more ways than one. A professional electrician can ensure your systems are properly up to code. Existing older homes’ wiring and main electrical panels can easily become outdated. At Tim Kyle Electric, we can take care of any of your rewiring or electrical panel needs. Contact us today.