Common Electrical Issues to Look Out For

Are You Experiencing Common Electrical Issues in Annapolis, MD?

Four Common Electrical Issues at Home & Solutions for Repair

It’s not uncommon for home and business owners to experience electrical issues from time to time. Whether your lights are flickering or your breaker is frequently tripping, it can be frustrating and dangerous to try to solve electrical issues without help from a licensed professional.

The team at Weisman Electric is highly skilled and experienced in repairing a wide range of electrical issues for home and business owners throughout Annapolis, MD, and the surrounding areas. Our full-service electrical contractors provide complete electrical services to meet all your needs. Below, we’ve listed four common electrical issues and our suggestions for repair. Call us today if you suspect electrical issues before the problem worsens or becomes more hazardous.

Electrical/Power Surges    

Electrical surges (also called power surges) can occur for several reasons. Whether caused by poor wiring, damaged power lines, or faulty appliances, it’s important to address the issue as soon as you suspect there’s an issue. Experiencing power surges in your home or business isn’t uncommon and typically only lasts for a second. However, that doesn’t mean it should be taken lightly. Power surges can lead to damaged equipment and appliances that decrease life expectancy.

If you’re experiencing electrical surges, check the device that connects to your home grid or the wiring. Try disconnecting the devices and low-quality power boards from the outlet. If the power surges continue after taking this step, it’s time to call a professional electrician to take a look.

Overloaded Electrical Circuits    

Overloaded electrical circuits can occur when you plug too many devices into a single outlet or power strip. Using additional power strips might be tempting to solve the overload issue, but this is dangerous and can cause the outlet to overheat. If your circuit breaker trips often, you should call a licensed electrician to inspect it and see what can be done to fix the issue.

While your breaker tripping can be frustrating to deal with, it’s a sign your home is protected. If you know what trips your breaker (running two appliances at once, for example), try using a lower setting and limit how many devices are plugged into the outlet or power strip.

Overloading Light Fixtures

Have you noticed the wattage listed on the packaging of lightbulbs? Lightbulb manufacturers put these labels on their packaging because it’s crucial to stay within the wattage limits of your light fixtures. If the wattage is too high for your light fixture, the high heat from the bulb can melt the light socket and insulation and cause an electrical fire.

Even if you remove the bulb, the sockets and wires can become damaged. It’s always best to use bulbs within your wattage. If you aren’t sure what type of wattage your fixtures take, it’s recommended to use a 60-watt bulb or smaller.

Aluminum Wiring    

The United States experienced a copper shortage in the 1960s and 1970s, ultimately causing manufacturers to switch to using aluminum for the electrical wiring needs of the country. Not only is aluminum wiring more dangerous, but it doesn’t conduct heat as well and has a shorter lifespan than copper wiring.

The full-service electrical contractors at Weisman Electric are highly skilled in rewiring homes and businesses to replace old aluminum wiring with copper wiring. If you suspect the electrical wiring throughout your property is aluminum, it’s time to call a licensed electrician to begin the replacement process. If you aren’t sure what type of electrical wiring you have, our team can visit your home or business and determine if you have aluminum or copper.

Contact the Experts at Weisman Electric Today   

If you’re experiencing any electrical issues in your residential or commercial property in Annapolis, MD, and the surrounding areas, our highly experienced electricians can find fast, effective solutions. Whether your electrical wiring is outdated and needs to be replaced or your breaker is frequently tripping, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our complete electrical services!