What are the Three Common Causes of Electrical Problems?
As a homeowner, experiencing electrical problems that require professional wiring repair services now and then is not surprising, especially because almost everything in your home is running on electricity, from appliances to electric vehicles.
However, despite all the electrical advancements, your home still has electrical problems that might arise at some point. Let the licensed electricians at Rush Electrical Service show you the common causes of electrical problems and how to troubleshoot them.
Three of the most common causes of electrical problems include overloads, short circuits, and power surges.
- Overloaded Circuit
Your home’s electrical system has specifications that allow it to run smoothly and efficiently. If more load – in the form of appliances and electrical fixtures – is added to the system, there is a chance your electrical circuit will overload.
If you have a circuit breaker or fuse box in your home, the breaker will trip, and the fuse will blow to cut off electricity flow, protecting your home and appliances from the effects of irregular current flow.
- Short Circuits
A short circuit happens when the negative terminal or wire touches a closed circuit’s positive terminal or wire. The electrical current will flow through an unintended, shorter pathway with the least resistance instead of following the circuit; thus, it is called a “short circuit.”
Short circuits are dangerous when left unchecked by a professional electrician. They can create sparks and sometimes explosions that can cause a house fire. A short circuit will continue its path unless fixed, creating continuous sparks that pose a serious fire hazard.
- Electrical Surge
An electrical surge is often caused by poor home wiring, faulty appliances, lightning strikes, and downed power lines. Sudden electric surges can destroy electronics and appliances, reducing service life, especially if the surges are more frequent.
How to Repair Damaged Electrical Wiring
If you notice a damaged wire in your home, you probably know the implications of failing to repair it as soon as possible. Damaged wiring will not perform as intended and pose a significant safety hazard to your family and home. Knowledge in electrical wiring repair is important to prevent further damage to your electrical system.
Depending on the damage, you might be able to fix it yourself using the right tools and equipment, as long as you follow a few safety precautions before, during, and after performing the task. Always remember that wires only have one core, while cables are a group of multiple wires protected inside a single sheath.
Here are simple steps to repair a damaged wire:
- Turn off the power.
For your safety, ensure the main power source is turned off to prevent accidental electric shock. Whether you turn off the power from a breaker box or disconnect a battery, this step is essential for safety.
- Identify the extent of the damage.
Determine which part of the wire needs repairs. Check the insulation for chipped rubber and the copper wire for damage. See to it that the wire is not touching another wire or conductive surface to avoid a short circuit.
- Cut the wire.
Cut the wire at least half an inch above and below the damaged portion. Discard the damaged wire and then peel off roughly an inch of insulation from the ends of the cut wire to expose the copper wire.
- Select an appropriate length of replacement wire.
Make sure the replacement wire is more or less longer than the discarded portion. Doing so gives you more room for error and allows you to splice the wires together securely.
- Splice both ends of the replacement wire.
Peel off an inch of insulation from the ends of the wires and then join one end of the replacement wire to one end of the remaining wire you cut out earlier. Perform the same procedure on the wire’s other end, ensuring the copper wires are properly spliced by intertwining the copper ends.
- Cover exposed copper wire.
Cover the exposed spliced copper wires with at least three layers using electrical tape. Ensure all exposed wiring is properly covered with electrical tape to prevent a short circuit.
- Test the connection.
Move away from the repaired wire and turn the power back on. Test the new connection for functionality.
While electrical wiring is easy to fix, a shielded wire is different. A shielded wire is a cable with multiple copper wires enclosed in a single insulation sheath. These copper wires have a common conductive layer around their conductors for electromagnetic shielding.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot a shielded wire:
- Turn off the power.
Always turn off the power from the main circuit breaker when working with electrical circuits.
- Check the damaged wire.
Open the outer sheathing by hand, checking if the plastic-coated wires are damaged.
- Cut the cable.
Using a pair of electrical pliers, cut through the cable at least one inch away from the damaged area. Cut the other end of the damaged cable as well.
- Strip the outer sheathing.
Using your utility knife, strip back the outer sheathing, run the blade around the cable, and then pull it off from the interior wires. Use the utility knife to strip an inch of plastic covering from the hot and ground wires. The wires are now ready to be installed.
Follow these troubleshooting steps to safe and effective electrical wiring repair from your home. You can safely repair your home’s electrical wiring without fail by carefully following the safety precautions before, during, and after the procedure.
Get guaranteed results by reading this guide from start to finish. These troubleshooting steps are certified by our licensed electricians. Our electricians are some of the most trusted professionals in the business, having been in service for years.
You can also call Rush Electrical Service for expert electrical services for your home. Count on our electricians for fast, reliable, and affordable electrical services.
Read more of our guides to troubleshoot simple wiring problems in your home. You can also call Rush Electrical Service for quality electrical services performed by licensed and certified electricians. We are just a phone call away.
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