Do you take it for granted that you can easily flip on the lights at home, plug in and charge your phone, or use your household appliances? Most people do—until those modern electrical conveniences suddenly have issues. And while an electrical inconvenience may be frustrating, it’s not just irritating; it can be remarkably dangerous.

In many cases, what might look like a mere inconvenience can actually be a serious fire hazard that requires the prompt attention of an expert electrician. What hazards should you keep an eye out for in your home? Read on to find out.

1. Flickering Lights

Too many homeowners dismiss flickering lights as a minor annoyance; unfortunately, that’s far from what they really are. Flickering lights—whether they happen intermittently or when a large appliance kicks on—almost always indicate poor wiring connections or an electrical system overload, both of which are fire hazards.

If you deal with this issue, electrical repairs are necessary to fix it, and the sooner you call an electrician, the better. While flickering lights are often the result of faulty lightbulbs or loose socket connections, they can also indicate a serious problem. Damaged wiring or an old, outdated electrical panel can also cause lights to flicker and these problems must be addressed as promptly as possible.

2. Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping

Circuit breakers are designed to cut the current flow to outlets and switches when an electrical fault or overload occurs. And while it’s normal for those breakers to trip every now and then, it’s certainly not normal or safe for them to be tripping all the time.

Do you deal with this issue? Then you need to call an electrician stat. Frequent breaker tripping can indicate a variety of problems with your electrical wiring, including:

●        Arc faults

●        Ground faults

●        Overloaded wires

●        Short circuits

●        Outdated electrical panel

●        Internal breaker failure

All of the above issues can present a fire hazard, so it’s in your best interest to have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical system as soon as you can. With the appropriate electrical repairs, your breakers should function properly for a span of 15-20 years.

3. Faulty Outlets and Switches

Dead outlets or switches, sparking outlets, hot outlets, discolored outlets— all of these issues can be signs of a serious problem with your wiring or electrical receptacles. If you ever experience a dead outlet and you’re not sure why, check for a tripped circuit breaker before you call for electrical repairs.

For all other outlet issues, contact an electrician immediately and cut power to the affected receptacles or switches at the breaker box. Aside from the issues mentioned above, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for red flags like loose, wobbly outlets, plugs that fall out of outlets, and outlets that produce small electrical shocks when you plug something in.

Contact Harrison Electric for Express Electrical Repairs in the Twin Cities

Worried your electrical system is having a potentially serious issue? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Harrison Electric for express, 24-hour electrical repair service. Give us a call at 763-544-3300 or request a service quote online, and we’ll be in touch promptly.