As a homeowner, having a professional electrician inspect your home's electrical system every 3-5 years is ideal, regardless of the age of the house or the total number of appliances inside. Here are some of the most critical components to maintain.
Electrical Panels
Regularly checking electrical panels is an integral part of an electrical maintenance schedule. Doing so helps ensure the safety and performance of your home electrical system. Inspect for broken or frayed wiring, loose connections, or other signs of damage or wear.
Additionally, it is essential to check the panel for any tripped breakers or other problems that could be causing the power to go out or malfunction. Common issues could include:
Overloading Circuits
Faulty Wiring
Corrosion
Loose Connections
Voltage Spikes
Overheating
Poor Maintenance
Short Circuits
Grounding Issues
Inadequate Panel Size
If any issues are suspected, make repairs or replacements as soon as possible to prevent further damage or safety hazards.
GFCI Outlets
GFCI outlets, an acronym for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. These outlets are an essential safety feature in homes and other buildings.
By design, they help prevent electric shock and fires by detecting any imbalance in the electrical current that could indicate a fault in the wiring or other electrical equipment.
When this happens, the GFCI immediately shuts off the power to that outlet. In addition, GFCI outlets get reset every three months to ensure they are working correctly. The most common causes of a GFCI outlet failing are:
A Faulty GFCI Outlet
A Loose Or Damaged Wiring Connection
A Worn Out Or Defective Reset Button
A Circuit Overload
A Ground Fault
It's worth noting that GFCI outlets should be present in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas prone to moisture or water exposure.
220 Wiring
Homeowners should check 220-Volt wiring as part of every electrical inspection to ensure it is up to code and in good condition.
220-Volt wiring is standard for powering large electrical appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, dryers, and electric vehicles, in some households. Issues to be on the lookout for include:
• Loose Or Damaged Wiring
• Incompatible Or Damaged Power Cords
• Poor Electrical Connections
• Faulty Circuit Breakers
• Damaged Outlet
• Overloaded Circuits
• Incorrectly Wired Outlet
• Faulty Wall Wiring
It is essential to check this wiring because it can cause fires if it is outdated or faulty.
Don't Leave Your Electrical System To Chance!
Homeowners should never leave their electrical systems to chance. Electrical systems are the backbone of every household, powering appliances, lights, and nearly everything that makes life easier and more enjoyable.
So if you're experiencing issues, call a residential electrician
at Clement's Electric to schedule maintenance for your home in the Greater Dallas/Ft. Worth area home today!