Faulty wiring can lead to power outages or fires. With due diligence, you can catch an electrical wiring issue and have it fixed before it causes harm. Here are four ways to spot a problem with your wiring.

How to Spot an Electrical Wiring Issue

1. Buzzing Sounds

A functioning electrical unit should be silent. If you hear buzzing or a clicking sound that accompanies flickering lights, there’s something wrong. Unusual noises or light effects are often a result of electrical wiring issues, loose prongs in appliances, or loose outlets.

Can you hear where the sound is coming from? If the source is an outlet, stop using it until a professional has looked at it. 

2. Multiple Extension Cords

Using multiple extension cords can overload an electrical system. The cords themselves can kink or fuse, which can trip breakers, causing you to lose power across your home and damage the affected outlet.

An extension cord should be a temporary measure. If you always need extra outlets, have an electrician install more.

3. Hot Outlets

An outlet should never get hot or vibrate, even if the appliance plugged into it is something like a vacuum cleaner, which does both.

If you can do so without touching wires, test whether the issue lies with the outlet. Turn off the outlet and unplug the appliance. If the outlet remains hot even with nothing in it, there’s likely a problem with its wiring. If you plug the device into a new outlet and it gets hot, the issue is with the appliance.

4. Frayed or Chewed Wires

Frayed or chewed wires are often the result of pets, wildlife, or an inexpertly installed wiring system. Exposed wires pose shock risks, so don’t touch them. Block them off to keep children and animals away, and call a professional. If you can, turn the affected area off from the main electrical panel.

 

When you have an issue with your electrical wiring, call on Oahu Electrical Services in Waimanalo, HI. Serving the Windward side of Oahu and Honolulu, the certified company handles everything from electrical repairs to new construction installations. Call today at (808) 321-5748 to schedule a free estimate, or visit the website to find out more about their services.