Look out for these electrical faults

Volt Northern Lights Electrical

We all experience tripping circuit breakers every now and then. This can be caused by many different things, but if it happens often, you are probably facing an electrical fault. Electrical faults are extremely common and if you know there’s something wrong with any of your devices, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. Having electrical faults can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important to have regularly scheduled check-ups to ensure your house and your family is safe. We have listed three common electrical faults: 

Faulty wiring

One of the most common, and probably the most dangerous fault is faulty wiring. Flickering or dimming lights are signs that you probably have faulty electrical wiring. If you ever notice that your lights flicker, it is probably because the wires are loose. Make sure to contact an electrician as soon as possible, because loose wires will most likely cause a house fire sooner or later.

If you notice that your home has exposed wires, contact an electrician to get them replaced as soon as possible. Exposed wires can give you electrocution.

Non-functional GFCI outlets

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are mini circuit breakers integrated into individual power sockets. You will find these in bathrooms and kitchens in most homes. If you have a non-functional GFCI device, you should get it replaced as soon as possible because it can cause a fire.

Tripping circuit breaker

It is well known that older homes were not built for the modern lifestyle. Older homes often have older circuit breakers, which can’t handle the same amount of electricity as the houses built today. Therefore, older homes face more tripping circuit breakers than modern houses. A circuit breaker is designed to trip off in order protect an electrical circuit from damage if a power overload occurs. The most common reason for tripping circuit breakers is the use of high wattage items, such as hairdryers and microwaves, especially when other power consuming items are used on the same source.

If you have a constantly tripping circuit breaker, you should consider replacing it with a new one. It is also good to be aware of how many devices you can connect at the same time, and which devices you should remove when they are not in use.

Need residential, commercial or industrial electrical services in Auckland? Northern Lights Lighting and Electrical specialise in all three areas and can help you every hour of the day, 7 days a week. Contact us today for electrical services in all suburbs across Auckland. If you are based in south Auckland, contact your Mangere electrician, Papatoetoe electrician, East Tamaki electrician, Manukau electrician, Onehunga electrician, and Takanini electrician.