Electrical problems in your home go beyond flickering lights or slow-charging devices. While these may not pose serious threats to your house’s safety, numerous other electrical problems can still do so. The ability to troubleshoot electrical problems can help you understand your electrical system better and keep your home safe.

It’s always advisable (and often required by law) to have a licensed electrician assess the issues and perform any repairs. If you wish to learn more about your electrical, the following guide will instruct you on how to troubleshoot electrical problems occurring in your home. Be advised, any electrical troubleshooting or repair done by yourself is done at your own risk. If you are ever unsure about an issue, don’t hesitate to call your electrician for professional help.

3 Common Household Electrical Problems

Overloaded Circuits

A circuit becomes overloaded when you use more electricity than that circuit can tolerate. Typically it is when you operate too many appliances simultaneously. When this happens, the circuit breaker gets triggered and opens up. As a result, the electric supply to that circuit breaks off, shutting down the electricity. Without the breaker, overloaded circuits could lead to severe house fires and cause irreversible damage to your house and life. 

Loose Electrical Connections

Due to wear and tear, the plugs and sockets of your house lose the connection between the plug’s pins and their power points. This results in a loose electrical connection which can lead to electrical arcing and electric sparks that ultimately lead to shocks and fires. 

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights could be due to loosely fastened light bulbs, or the cause could be more serious. Loose or outdated wiring and overloaded circuits can also be potential causes of flickering lights in your house. The poor connection could lead to sparks, overheating of wires, and even fires.

Solving this problem involves checking your bulbs to make sure they are tight. If they are, consult with your electrician as soon as possible.

How To Troubleshoot Electrical Problems Safely?

Now that you know what some common electrical issues look like, it is time to learn how to troubleshoot electrical problems like these safely. 

Overloaded Circuits

Do a countdown of all the circuits in your house and the maximum load each can offer. When plugging your appliances into these circuits, ensure that the demand falls within 80% of the maximum load. 

This is a great way to prevent overloaded circuits, but if it’s too much work for you, there are other alternatives. For instance, use the other lesser-used circuits instead of plugging your appliances into one circuit. This way, you can utilize their wattages without overloading the commonly used circuits.

Loose Electrical Connections

Loose electrical connections can be spotted by keeping an ear out for buzzing sounds being released from electrical outlets or burn marks around circuits and other electrical connections. If you notice any of these issues, turn off the power to the entire house. 

Carry your screwdrivers to the location of the problem and tighten all loose screws and connectors. If, however, you find that the cause of the issue is damaged or frayed wires or if the problem persists despite tightening the connectors, it is best to seek professional help.

Flickering Lights

The first step is to make sure that your light bulbs are tightly fastened to their sockets. The most common reason for flickering lights is loosely hanging light bulbs. However, if that’s not the problem, check the fixture or circuit breaker. Look for any signs of loose screws or overloaded circuits. If the latter is the cause of flickering lights, reset the circuit breaker and unplug unnecessary appliances. If the issue continues, consult an electrician like Ryan Gath for a more detailed diagnosis.

Proceed With Caution When Troubleshooting Electrical Problems

While this guide may have helped you troubleshoot common household electrical problems, understand that electrical issues can be incredibly dangerous. Working on electrical systems without the proper education and licensing is unadvisable and often illegal in many states. Get professional assistance from an electrician and ensure your home’s electrical is safe. Call Ryan Gath Electric today to solve your electrical problems, and don’t forget to check out our Google reviews!

By Ryan Gath Electric