Poor household electrical wiring is one of the major causes of fires, with tens of thousands of Australian homes facing this risk every day. Getting electrical contractors to undertake preventive maintenance is vital for reducing the risk of electrical fires in your home, especially if your wiring is old and outdated. If you ignore your electrical wiring for too long, your home could face these signs of imminent electrical fires.
Circuit Breakers Or Fuses Blow Out
Circuit breakers and fuses are commonly found in most homes. Their main function is to carry heavy electrical loads and protect your home from fires by tripping when overloaded. Over time, these fuses and circuit breakers will tend to wear out and may start blowing out more often than before. This could be because too many high-powered appliances are plugged in and the load is too much for your circuit breaker or fuse to bear. If the problem is ignored for an extended period, then your home could be at risk of an electrical fire. You will need to call an emergency electrician to undertake electrical repair immediately for protecting your home and family.
Discoloured Or Charred Switches And Outlets
Discoloured or charred switches and outlets are potential signs of imminent danger, so don't ignore them in your home. They indicate that your internal wiring near the switches and outlets is either loose or sparking. If you get a shock while turning on a switch, then it could be because of a short circuit or loose connection near the switch or outlet. These are potential signs of problems with the wiring insulation. If the wiring insulation is frayed or burned, then it could lead to an electrical fire in your home. You will need to get your electrical contractors to inspect the wiring and replace your outlets and switches right away.
Burning Odours
A burning odour in your home can be frightening, especially if you don't know the source. This burning odour may be the result of a short in your wiring and is an indicator of a bigger problem. If you get an obvious, acrid burning smell in your home, then turn off your electrical mains immediately and wait for your electrical contractors to get there. This smell could be because of a short in your internal wiring or in your electrical outlets. Either way, turn off your electricity to prevent a full-blown household fire.
Remember that electrical wiring shouldn't be taken for granted. If you notice any of these burning signs in your home, contact your electrical contractors immediately to get the problem fixed.
Share15 January 2016
Welcome to my blog. My name is Mia. A few years ago, my partner and I bought an old home. It needed to have all new wiring installed, and through that process of working closely with a fabulous electrician, I learned a lot. I learned everything, from which questions to ask, to how to do a bit of wiring on my own. If you are hiring an electrician, you need to explore my posts. I hope they help guide you in the right direction. Now, that our home is finally, for the first time, not in the midst of a repair or project, I decided to start this blog. In addition, I also like to fish and read.