8 common electrical mistakes that every homeowners are bound to make
You are free to handle any electrical system in your home except when it comes to wiring, outlets, cables, and junction boxes. If you have no knowledge on electrical systems, it’s advisable not to try out your hands. It could be really dangerous for you and your home. A lot of homeowners often make 8 electrical mistakes while handling the electrical system of their household system. To know what mistakes you have to avoid, we have a dedicated post here. Let’s dive into it!
Using the wrong gauge
In electrical terms, gauge means the size of the wire and the amount of current it has. If you are incorrectly placing the wrong gauge, it may overheat which can trouble you the rest of your life. For some specific electrical project, you have to be cautious of the type of gauge you are using. It’s better to get help from an emergency electrician when you have faced troubles with wrong gauge.
Poor installation of outlets
Would that look good if you saw your outlets hanging out with wires protruding outside? No, I guess! Incorrect outlets do not only look bad but also cause a fire hazard and risk your life. If the switches aren’t secured properly then it will further lead to an explosion in electrical connections and other wire damage.
Since you have only operated on the level of an outdoor electrical system, you may not know the intricacies of an electrical system. What you know is all about white and black signaling as being neutral or live. In reality, it is full of complicated codes that an electrician understands better. When you open up the electrical outlet, you should not make assumptions on them.
Overloading outlets
Every outlet has many inputs so it can carry the pressure of overloading. But you have to be cautious of how much pressure you are applying on it. Plugging too many appliances in one power strip will trip the breaker and might lead to electrical damage. In order to avoid accidents related to the electrical system, you must keep a note of the amps that each appliances needed.
Leaving wires exposed
If any wire is being exposed from the board, it is not good at all. Open wires are dangerous as they have the potential to ignite flame quickly when gets in contact with other current. That’s why, wirings are always protected with plastic sheathed protection. If the wires are not secured then it can damage the board from within and make your house vulnerable to fires. If you have noticed any loose wiring or exposed wires in your home, you must contact a London based emergency electrician. Ignoring such a vital electrical problem might extend it to create worst situation.
Wrong installation of GFCI outlet
When the GFCI is installed in a wrong way, it can damage your wiring leading to health hazards. If you are installing GFCI all by yourself, you may mistake it with traditional outlets. GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. It helps in cutting off the power when the circuit loses amperage which means it protects you from electrical shocks. All outlets are protected by a GFCI. You have mostly seen it in bathrooms and any other exterior outlets. A single GFCI protects everything. The fault in GFCI becomes confusing when it kills the power to outlets and lights which are totally unrelated.
Every electrician has confirmed that they have received maximum service calls on the failure of the bathroom circuit. Hence they all advise homeowners to always check for the GFCI and find out if they can troubleshoot the dead outlets. GFCI outlets are usually located at places where the moisture is contained. If the outlet overheats, it can cause tripping.
Poor connections with short wires
If you have cut the wires short while installing appliances, you would also be cutting the proper electrical connections. Poor connections can severely affect other system and lead to tripping breakers, short circuiting and also overheating. Avoid such hazards by keeping the length of the wire approx 3 inches extra while cutting.
Not using junction boxes
If you have made connections outside junction boxes, your life would be at risk. Junction box helps in protecting all your wire connections from getting damaged. While you may have saved money on not installing junction boxes, you have increased the chances of having the risk of heat and sparks.
Sizing of the junction box
Overfilling electrical boxes can lead to overheating and short circuiting. The size of the junction box must be appropriate as per the electrical connections inside. All the wires must be given enough spaces so that it can have full access to air and current generation. At times of cramming up of small spaces, the electrical system can lead to fire hazards. Hence, the size of the junction box is very important to have a secure and safe life. If you are not confident enough in handling the electrical work in your home, it’s totally fine. That’s why the professionals of Electric Works London come into being. They help such homeowners to have safe fittings without any potential damages.
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