What are the most common causes of electrical problems? We look at the most common electrical issues in your home that you need to look out for.

The Most Common Electrical Issues in Your Home

The electricity in your home is a modern necessity, meaning when you are facing issues with your electrical appliances, from electrical shocks, outages or electrical surges, they can literally leave you in the dark. Unless you're a qualified electrician, it's unlikely you'll know how to deal with faulty wiring and other electrical issues.

Therefore, to avoid anything more serious, such as hazardous charges and potential fire danger, it's always best to rely on qualified electricians when facing an electrical issue. However complicated or serious, homeowners encounter a host of common electrical issues.

From faulty appliances and electrical devices to electrical wiring issues and light fixtures, you're likely experiencing something along with millions of others. We'll start with three of the most common electrical problems professional electricians encounter in UK homes. 

 Circuit Breaker Problems

Circuit breakers are your home's first line of defence against overloads and short-circuiting. When it detects a fault in your electricity, it will interrupt the flow of electrical current to your electrical appliances and light fixtures. Therefore, if your circuit breaker engages and shuts off your electrical supply, it's a clear sign you have an electrical issue.

 Electricity Surges, Sags, or Dips 

It may seem contradictory to link these events together, but electrical surges, sags and dips are all closely related. Power surges occur when there is a spike in the electrical charge within power lines, resulting in a rapid turning on and off of your electrical appliances. Surge protectors are available to safeguard your appliances, but if you experience frequent surges, call a professional electrician.

These surges can damage your electronics but are ultimately unavoidable. This is because they are caused by natural events, such as lightning strikes. Alternatively, repeat surges could indicate that your electricity provider is not doing their job properly or there are damaged power lines with loose wires or poor wiring in your local area. While the same issues cause power sags and dips, from damaged power lines to electrical faults, they have the opposite effect of power surges.

Rather than spiking the flow of electrical current to your home, they reduce it temporarily, known as "brown-outs". This will show itself through the light bulbs or power strips in your home temporarily dimming. Again, if this happens regularly, and isn't simply a matter of forgetting where your dim switches are set, have a professional electrician check your electrical system.

 Poor circuit protection

If your property doesn't have a Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB), you might face a current leak leading to a low-voltage circuit.

These devices protect you from electric shocks, indirect currents, burnt wires and electrical fires, so they are well worth investing in for your safety.

 Grounding Issues

Another protective measure to prevent electric shocks, fires and overheating wires are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). Most electrical appliances and electrical systems in the UK are fitted with a grounding system to allow any excess current to flow to the earth in case a short circuit occurs.

However, ensuring your entire property has adequate grounding with high-quality ground wire is the best way to remain safe. You also might consider purchasing a GFCI circuit tester or ohm meter and ensure your appliances are fitted with the right wiring appended to the three-prong plug, such as a white neutral wire and screws provided.

 Electrical Shocks

Even if you only experience a mild shock when turning an appliance or a switch on or off, it's a serious sign of an electrical problem with the appliance or socket, potentially faulty wiring.

Try using a different appliance in the same socket, and if you get the same result, have a professional electrician check the appliance or socket.

 Overloading

Using bulbs or appliances that demand a higher wattage or voltage than your sockets can accommodate increases your potential risk of melting your sockets or wire insulation, ultimately leading to electrical fires.

Therefore, always use the right wattage of bulb or appliance for your sockets and light fixtures.

 Light Switches not working

If one of your light switches isn't working, it's likely a sign of poor quality work or sub-optimal products. It could also be a sign of faulty wiring, faulty circuits or a faulty outlet. Again, arrange for a professional electrician to check your sockets.

 Uncovered junction box

Junction boxes are designed to keep different sections of wires in your home grid separate and orderly. If your junction box doesn't have cover plates, you run the risk of damaging these wires, which could lead to electric shocks and electrical fires.

Have a professional electrician cover your junction box with appropriate screw terminals.

 Over-circuited panel

Electrical panels hold a set number of circuit breakers and all the neutral connections in your home, each of which has one slot. While tandem breakers resemble a pair of switches that look like they can fit into one of these slots, they need two single-pole breakers to accommodate them. 

When you place a tandem breaker into a single panel slot, you have over-circuited it. In this case, your chosen electrician should install a panel that can handle a bigger load or add a sub-panel to your electrical system and existing panel.

 Tripping circuit breaker

If you have too many high-power-consuming items or devices drawing power from your power supply, you increase the chances of your breakers tripping. While this is inconvenient, it's a good sign that your breakers are doing their job and protecting your home.

Reducing the number of appliances you have drawing power from your power grid supply will reduce the risk of circuit breaker trips. If the problem persists, call an electrician.

 Backstabbed wires

Backstabbed wires are another term for wires with holes or bits missing from the insulating rubber that surrounds them. Backstabbed wires and frayed wiring present a significant risk of electrocution and should be repaired as soon as possible.

While you can switch off the device or appliance these wires are connected to and cover the holes with tape, this is only a temporary fix, so it is best to have the wires repaired properly.

 Aluminium wiring

Aluminium wiring is far more likely to suffer oxidation when it conducts electricity. Therefore, when aluminium wires come into contact with other materials, such as fabrics, plastic or wood, they can cause an electrical fire.

A copper connection is a much safer metal to use in your wiring and is also cheaper than aluminium wires.

Are you looking for an emergency electrician in Ludlow and the surrounding areas of Shropshire? Contact our qualified electrician for domestic and commercial electrical services near you.