Electrical issues can quickly put the safety of you and your property at risk. It’s important to be aware of the signs of electrical damage or faults to ensure that you make repairs quickly for your safety.
Read on below for our top five signs that you have an issue with your electrical system at your property in Coopers Plains.
Circuit Breaker Issues
A short circuit, overloaded current or ground fault is a tell-tale sign that something’s seriously wrong with a part of your electrical system.
Maybe you’re getting cold showers, or experiencing blackouts from time to time – these are both indications your system is experiencing some serious issues and is under too much stress to function normally.
Tripped circuits are especially common in older homes, as their systems are not as capable of handling modern appliances. At the same time, a single appliance or outlet can be to blame.
Appliances that use high power, such as hair dryers or microwaves, are notorious for short-circuiting your home. A tripping safety switch indicates using these appliances can lead to problems down the track, and it may be worth getting an opinion from an electrician on how you should set up these appliances to prevent issues.
Warm, Vibrating Or Discoloured Switches And Outlets
Any outlet or switch that is hot or vibrating on touch indicates an underlying issue.
If you’ve noticed a hot outlet or switch, it’s important you put your safety first. Avoid touching any wires or the socket itself to prevent the risk of serious injury.
It’s also important to note any discoloured patches or “burnt” areas around your outlets or switches, which are often indicative of damaged wiring. This should be addressed by a professional electrician asap.
Buzzing Sounds
With electricity, if you hear something, there’s most often a problem. While humming or buzzing is fairly common with heavily dimmed lights, and while you might hear a small pop from time to time when you flick a wall switch, any buzzing coming from your outlets or switches is a sure sign there’s something wrong.
Buzzing is often caused by a current skipping along the line, and this itself can be due to issues with wiring or a problem with your appliances.
While buzzing sounds might seem minor, they could signal issues leading to wires melting or burning. It’s important you address any unusual sounds like this as soon as they occur. Simply unplug everything from the power socket, and try using a different appliance to see if you still hear the sound.
If the noise continues, do not use the outlet until you have had it assessed by a professional.
Flickering Lights Or Switches
Flickering or dim lights are a sure sign of electrical problems, yet they’re often ignored. While your air conditioning or major appliances can cause sudden dimming or flickering when powering on or off, and an incompatible dimmer switch and light fixture could cause flickering, any random flickering or dimming of lights or any unusual behaviour from your TV or other devices is worth paying attention to.
It’s first important to check the bulbs are correctly secured and to replace any single bulb that might be flickering or dimming. If this doesn’t solve the problem, there’s likely an issue deep within the electrical system on your property, and this puts you at significant fire risk. The best approach is to contact a professional electrician to address the issue before it turns dangerous.
Unusual Or Burning Smells
The smell of burning is one of the clearest indications of electrical problems, and if it’s not quickly resolved, it can easily lead to an electrical fire.
If you smell burning, try and locate where it’s coming from. If you discover it’s coming from an outlet, you’re at risk of a fire. Burning smells can be caused by exposed wires or sparking outlets and should never be overlooked or ignored.
It’s best to turn off your power at the switchboard and contact an electrician as soon as possible.
Choose Us For Quality Electrical Solutions
Looking for an efficient, friendly and reliable electrician on Brisbane Southside? We have a team of experienced, professional electricians that are committed to resolving all your electrical issues with outstanding workmanship and the most advanced equipment and technology.
We also offer a 24/7 callout service, so if you experience any of these serious electrical emergencies at any time you can call us on (07) 3277 7345 to book a callout asap.
