4 Signs A Home's Electrical System Requires A Contractor's Attention
Residential electrical issues can pose many challenges, and it's important to seek a contractor's attention as early as possible when there are problems. How do you tell if you need to contact a residential electrical services provider, though? Be on the lookout for these four signs your home might require a residential electrical contractor.
Rechargeable Batteries Have Short Lives
When electricity is poorly conditioned, it can damage electronics. The severity of the problem isn't usually so extreme that it's going to kill your TV or cell phone, though. Instead, you might only notice the problem when things with rechargeable batteries develop short lives.
A problem one device is likely not a sign your home needs electrical services. If one phone's battery is dying quickly, that might just be due to heavy background app usage. However, if phones, laptops, and backup battery systems all have short lives, there's a good chance the electrical system is the problem.
An electrical services contractor can check the condition of the system. If they find the electrical voltage is unstable or tilted too far in one direction, they may be able to fix the problem by changing the junction box or a sine wave system to condition the electricity.
Lights Dim When Appliances Start
If your home's electrical system isn't up to the job of handling every system in the building, then somebody has to lose a little bit. Oftentimes, this shows up as the light bulbs dimming, especially when a high-demand appliance like the washer or air conditioner kicks on. It may only be a momentary dimming, but you will notice it. You should ask a residential electrical contractor to test the system for issues.
Breakers or Faults Flipping
The breaker system is a critical safety solution. If a breaker flips every now and then, it's probably just doing its job. However, you shouldn't see any breakers regularly flipping even once a month. If you see the problem across multiple breakers, that's a strong sign of trouble.
Similarly, your home's ground faults should regularly activate for no reason or because you plugged something in. They should only kick off when something triggers them, such as a splash of water on an outlet.
Melting or Burning Around Electrical System
Anything melted or burned is bad, especially if the damage is near the electrical system. If the plastic around a light socket looked browned, for example, that may be a sign of heat behind the plastic. Have a contractor test the affected systems for problems.