Next to electrical wiring, working outlets are essential to distributing electricity throughout a home or business. They’re also crucial to your safety since a faulty one can start a fire that may result in serious injuries. Look out for the red flags below that tell you when it’s time to upgrade problematic outlets.

When to Make the Switch to New Outlets

1. Outdated Outlets

Most appliances nowadays come with three-prong power plugs. The round prong connects to the outlet’s ground wiring, which makes it better at protecting against electrical shocks and power surges compared to a two-pin receptacle. Upgrade the outlets where larger, more expensive appliances are plugged in. Also, don’t forget to look into your electrical wiring—it may need changes to provide ground.  

2. Too Many Extension Cords

An area cluttered with extension cords requires more outlets than it has. While necessary, these cords are safety hazards as they can trip people or get overloaded. Extension cords should be used sparingly. If you’re plugging into them more frequently, have your electrical wiring and outlets upgraded instead.

3. Unusually Warm, Discolored, or Loose Receptacles

An outlet that feels extremely warm to the touch is a sign of something faulty inside, such as loose or damaged wires. Burns, scorch marks, or melted plastics around the receptacle are other signs to watch for. If you plug something in, and it falls out on its own, it’s time to bring in a licensed electrician to assess the problem.

4. Sparks, Smoke, or Smells

Along with a hot switch plate, you may notice sparking when plugging anything in. Pay attention to smoke or burning odor coming from your outlets as well—these are telltale signs of an overloaded circuit, water exposure, or faulty electrical wiring. Don’t ignore buzzing or sizzling sounds coming from the outlets either.

5. Faulty Tripping

Overloaded outlets will regularly trip a circuit breaker or blow out a fuse, and only a licensed electrician should fix them. On the other hand, GFCI outlets should trip when you test them for ground—if they don’t, they no longer protect against electric shocks. Have a professional switch out the GFCI-protected receptacle, which lasts for about 10 years.

 

When it’s time to upgrade your outlets, turn to Always On Electric of Hilo, HI. Serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Big Island, their licensed electricians specialize in electrical wiring, repairs, and inspections. They also offer 24-hour emergency electrical work. Call (808) 965-1596 or (808) 640-3391 to schedule service. Go online to learn how they can help today.