Dealing with electrical issues can be daunting, especially when dealing with a malfunctioning electrical system. However, not all electrical problems require the immediate assistance of a professional electrician. In fact, there are several common electrical issues that you can often fix on your own, saving both time and money. In this blog post we will describe three of the most common electrical issues that can be resolved without the need of an electrician.
1. Tripped Circuit Breaker
One of the most common electrical issues faced by homeowners is a tripped circuit breaker. This occurs when there is an overload on a particular circuit, causing the breaker to trip and cut off the power supply. The first step in resolving this issue is to locate your circuit breaker panel, usually found in the basement, utility room, or garage.
- Identify the tripped breaker: Look for the breaker that is in the middle or "off" position compared to the rest.
- Reset the breaker: Flip the tripped breaker to the "off" position first, and then firmly switch it back to the "on" position. This should restore power to the affected circuit.
- Determine the cause: If the breaker trips again immediately or soon after resetting, there might be an electrical overload or a short circuit. In such cases, unplug any appliances or devices connected to that circuit and gradually reconnect them one by one to identify the source of the problem.
- If the issue persists: If you have taken all of the above steps and the issue continues, it may be time to call an electrician to take a look at your wiring and determine what is causing the issue.
2. Faulty Light Switch
Another common electrical issue is a faulty light switch that fails to turn on or off as expected. Before assuming that you need an electrician, consider these steps to troubleshoot the problem:
- Check the light bulb: Ensure that the light bulb is properly screwed in and not burnt out. Sometimes, a simple bulb replacement can solve the issue. Always make sure your electricity is turned off before you perform this step!
- Test the switch: Use a voltage tester, which you can buy on Amazon, to check if the switch is receiving an electrical current. If it isn't, you may need to replace the switch entirely, at this point it is time to call the electrician.
3. Non-functional Electrical Outlet
A non-functional electrical outlet can cause inconvenience and frustration. Fortunately, resolving this issue may not require professional assistance if you follow these steps:
- Check other outlets: Using the same voltage tester we mentioned above, or simply by plugging something into each outlet, verify if the issue is isolated to a single outlet or affects multiple outlets in the area. This will help determine whether it's a localized problem or a larger electrical issue.
- Reset the GFCI outlet: If the affected outlet is a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet, look for a button labeled "TEST" located in between the two receptical, then press the "RESET" button firmly. This should restore the power to the outlet. GFCI outlets are typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas.
If the outlet does not work after reseting it and / or you find that it is not receiving electricity, it may be time to call an electrician to figure out what is causing the issue.
Conclusion
There are many electrical issues you may experience that can be resolved without having to pay for an electrician. However, please remember that electrical work is dangerous and that you should never attempt to tamper with electrical wiring yourself. The above are steps you can take without exposing yourself to live electrical circiuits. If these initial tests do not work, please make sure to contact an electrician, like the Kulic Ltd. team, to figure out what the issue it.
