There are many things that threaten your home.
Extreme weather events alone cause billions in damage every year. Plus, there is the constant threat that something in your home will fail and cause damage.
One of the most dangerous systems in your home is also one of the most important: the electric system. Most homes cannot function for any length of time without electricity, which typically helps run heating and cooling.
Yet, when things go wrong with your home electrical system, it can cause fires, damage appliances, and even harm someone. If you’re wondering about your electrical system, keep reading for five hazards you should be aware of.
1. Poor Wiring
Poor wiring is an unfortunately common electrical system hazard. New construction must meet the current electrical code. Older buildings, however, often get a pass on these new requirements.
That means people use modern appliances on wiring that may have gone in decades ago. That increases the odds of an electrical fire or short circuit.
Overcurrent typically happens when a circuit gets overloaded in some way. The circuit draws more power than it is designed to carry, which can generate heat or other problems.
Things like fuses and circuit breakers help provide overcurrent protection by shutting down the flow of electricity, but they aren’t foolproof. For more about overcurrent, you can head over to this website.
3. Overloaded Outlets
Homes and apartments built a few decades ago were designed with a very different electrical demand in mind. There were far fewer high-powered gaming systems, desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices. That means a relative shortage of outlets.
Many people use power strips to overcome this shortage, but it can mean you overload the limits of the circuit and may trigger a fire.
4. Unprotected Outlets
Most adults don’t give much thought to outlets other than to plug something into them. For small children, though, outlets are just one more curiosity in a world they don’t fully understand.
Kids will often stick things into outlets just to see what happens. That can cause shorts, trip breakers, or lead to electrical injuries.
5. Faulty Appliances
Many appliances draw a lot of power. A few common examples include:
- Clothes dryers
- Hair Dryers
- Water heaters
- Electrical ranges
If these appliances develop a fault, they will often trip a breaker repeatedly. Continued use of the appliance can damage your electrical system or your home.
Safety and Your Electric System
There are a number of hazards that threaten your electric system and your home. Fortunately, you can do something about many of those hazards.
You can add safety covers to outlets. Limit the number of high-wattage devices you plug into a power strip. Stop using appliances that trip your breakers.
If you don’t do things that would normally cause problems but you still get them, the wiring is likely the problem. In those cases, you need an electrician.