With bright light available at the flick of a switch, it’s easy to take your electrical system for granted. Even though the system may work as intended time and time again, it’s important to know the signs of trouble so that it can be inspected by a professional electrician before the issues become serious. Here are some electrical warning signs to keep an eye out for.

3 Red Flags of Electrical Troubles

1. Flickering & Dimming Lights

Unless you have strobe lights or dimmer switches set up in your home, your lamps should provide a steady glow of light without any noticeable dips or interruptions. A flickering light isn’t always a major issue; sometimes it’s just a faulty lamp or a loose light bulb. If more than one fixture starts to exhibit problems, however, there could be something seriously wrong with your home’s electrical wiring, and you should contact an electrician right away.

2. Outlet Heat & Noise

It’s important to keep your outlets in mind when considering the health of your home’s electrical system. If an outlet is warm to the touch or emits a hum or buzz, an electrician should be called right away. These are signs of faulty wiring near or inside the outlet, making the fixture a serious safety hazard.

3. Burning Odors

Given how unpleasant the smell of burning plastic or vinyl is, you’ll definitely know when you sniff it out. Locating the source of the stench, however, can be difficult. If you can’t determine an obvious source, an inspection by a professional electrician is recommended. Faulty wiring can actually smolder and burn for years before setting fire to nearby materials, so eliminating the issue is of the utmost importance. While it’s a pesky and unfortunate problem, many early signs of electrical fires are odorless and undetectable, giving the burnt plastic smell a bit of a silver lining.

AA Electric, Ltd. has been providing exceptional electrical services to the Honolulu, HI, area for more than 40 years. With a team of master electricians, the company can fix electrical problems quickly and efficiently, helping home and business owners make their dwellings safe. For more information, call (808) 841-4131 or visit the website today.