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They may seem small enough, but a small electrical problem today could turn out to be a bigger, damaging one tomorrow. Flickering lights, electrical appliances which don’t work and surges in power are all signs that things aren’t as they should be.
The short answer
The most common household electrical problems are shocks from sockets or switches, poor or damaged wiring, switches that buzz or run hot, flickering lights, bulbs that keep burning out and circuit breakers that keep tripping. Small faults can grow into bigger ones, so don't ignore them.
- A shock from a switch or socket needs medical attention, a call to the power supply authority and an electrician's inspection.
- Buzzing or hot switches and flickering lights can point to faulty wiring or a loose connection.
- Repeated breaker trips may come from overloaded power boards, a faulty small appliance or a short in the wiring.
Electrical shock from sockets and light switches
If you switch on a light or plug an appliance into an electrical socket and receive a shock, immediate medical attention should be sought and the power supply authority notified.
Electric shocks must be treated seriously as such faults/issues within the household could lead to other serious hazards.
An electrical contractor should be engaged to check over the electrical system. The outlet or switch should be examined as well as the wiring by PWA Electrical Services.
Poor wiring
Poor wiring can increase the chance of electrical accidents, whether that be worn or split or corroded with age. Wiring that has been chewed by vermin, or pinched wiring in the corner of a door or cupboard could create potential accidents such as a fire or may cause electric shocks. Don’t overload your plug or your extension lead as it could cause overheating.
Light switches and bulbs
Light switches shouldn’t buzz or be hot to the touch. If either of these are occurring, it could be an indication of faulty wiring or a loose connection on the switch and will need the expertise of a qualified electrician.
Flickering lights could also be a poor connection or bad wiring. If your bulbs burn out frequently, and they are in the ceiling or recessed area, check they are housed correctly and not in direct contact with insulation.
Many downlights are equipped with safety devices that cut out power when they get too hot, so check you haven’t fitted a bulb which is too high.
Have you ever been in a house when you lose electricity? If there’s no storm happening outside, it could be that your circuit breaker is tripping because power boards are overloaded. Remove items which are plugged in needlessly like phone chargers to remove the number of amps running through.
If a circuit breaker keeps on tripping repetitively, it could be faulty appliances causing the trip.
The ones to watch out for are usually smaller appliances like kettles or hair dryers.
Downlights cutting out
Many downlights have a safety cut-out that kills the power when they overheat. If yours keep switching off or bulbs burn out often, the bulb wattage may be too high or the fitting may be touching insulation.
Circuit overload
If that doesn’t work, you might have a short in the wiring and that will need to be tackled by a qualified electrician.
Safety around the home is paramount, and electricians undergo years of training to deal with faults.
You can easily check your light bulbs have the right wattage but any serious or unexplained issues involving electricity should be dealt with by a qualified electrician.
We have a team of expert electricians at PWA Electrical Services with a 4.9-star rating on Google. We can visit you anywhere in Perth and are available 24/7 so why not call us if you need assistance?
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About the author
Kirk Lam
Senior Electrician, PWA Electrical Services
Kirk is a Senior Electrician and the backbone of our operation, known for his attention to detail and industry knowledge. He is often requested by our clients as their preferred technician.
