Electrical history in the home
Ah, as history would prove, Benjamin Franklin did not discover electricity. It was the Ancient Greeks, around 600 BC that would discover rubbing fur on fossilized tree resin resulted in an attraction. That would be the discovery of static electricity. From there, it was an Italian physicist that discovered reactions of particular chemicals produced electricity and went on to construct a voltaic pile in 1800 that produced a steady electric current. So how did we get from that to home electrical service capabilities?
Michael Faraday created what we would now call a power generator in 1831. The invention was rather crude, but it was enough that Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan were able to invent the incandescent filament light bulb around 1878. Fast forward to 1882 and streetlamps made their appearance on New York streets and the rest is history as home electrical service was provided across the country and around the globe.
Now that we have reviewed history and provide a more accurate, yet sketchy, accounting for who discovered electricity, let’s talk about home electrical basics and answer some questions. While we may realize that you turn a light on, there light, but do you know what causes electrical failure? Electrical failure isn’t anything we want to deal with, but they happen, and those unplanned home electrical service failures are the worse! However, knowing why can often help prevent it from happening again.
Electricity may seem simple, but the truth is, it has a level of danger about it too, especially with home electrical service failures. If you aren’t sure what is causing it, you could be creating the problem. So, with the info we have below, you’ll have some ideal what can cause a home electrical failure and possibly prevent it from happening. Some common home electrical faults are:
- Excess load – Home electrical service wiring is meant to handle on a certain amount of power going through it, so when the circuit breakers and wiring have reached their capacity, it can throw the breaker due to overload.
- Home Electrical load – In some cases, professional electricians find that incorrect installation or the circuit breaker or wiring has caused the home electrical service failure. More often though, it is incorrect use of the electricity. Incorrect use could be anything from a multi outlet extender and to plugging in multiple cords in one outlet.
- Home Electrical Box Tightly Packed – Inside every type of home electrical box, the wires need a comfortable distance between them, 30 mm is the recommended distance. This is the circuit breaker box, outlet box, light switch box. Why is this space needed? Home electrical service wires heat up with use and if they are cramped together, they can overheat and overload the circuit.
- Loose connections– Inside the main panel, there are breaker and neutral connections that must be installed securely. If any are left loose, they can short out inside the main panel and overload the electricity. This is one of the major reasons that professional home electrical service check is recommended.
How do I know if my electrical is updated?
Today, we all take electricity for granted. When need a light, we turn it on, we need air conditioning, we turn it on. The refrigerator keeps our food cold, and our televisions entertain us, all because of home electrical service. What most us don’t realize is the possible danger of an electrical fire hiding inside the walls of our home. So, how do you know if you have an electrical problem in your house? Here are 10 indicators that you should be aware of that may be telling you there is a home electrical issue that needs attention:
- Unfamiliar odors: A new appliance will have a different odor when it is first turned on, and so does the heater the first time it is turned on. When a home electrical service outlet has an odd odor though, you need to unplug everything connected and call a qualified electrician immediately. The same is true about the breaker box or fuse box too.
- Arc faults: An arc is what electricity comes from and when electrical circuit deviates off the intended path, it is an arc fault, typically a wiring breach. This has been found to be the cause of many home electrical service fires. You can prevent this from happening though by having an AFCI installed by a professional electrician.
- Counterfeit home electrical products: Extension cords, night lights, power cords that are purchased at a flea market are most likely a knock off and does not meet government or industry standards. These items may seem like a great deal price-wise, but they are incredibly dangerous. Never use anything that doesn’t have the UL seal of approval.
- Sparking or Warm Switches and Outlet: If a light switch is warm to the touch or an outlet sparks when you plug something in, call a professional electrician. There may be wires needing repair or replacing.
- Buzzing, Cracking, Sizzling: Home electrical service switches and outlets should not make noise. If you notice any buzzing or cracking, or a switch sizzles when you flip it on, call your electrician immediately.
- Lights Flickering: If your lights are flicking, you have a power surge, but that isn’t always an emergency. Turn one or two things off and if the flickering stops, then you were putting too much demand on your home electrical service system. If the flickering continues, or it happens regularly, you should have a professional electrical inspection. It may be time to update your electrical power.
- Broken switches and loose outlets: When outlets and switches stop working or only work intermittently, there is probably loose wiring inside the outlets, switches, or walls. This is a fire hazard and should be examined by an electrician immediately.
- Ceiling Fixtures Get Hot: It isn’t something you’d notice, you’ll have to reach up and check them but if they are feeling warm, they need more insulation. You should also check the wattage of the bulbs; you may have higher than the fixture is wired to handle.
- Critter, Insect and Rodent Droppings: Mice, rats, squirrels, and even insects chew and nest on home electrical service wiring. This damages and frays the wiring, creating a fire hazard. If you notice droppings or nesting activity, have a home electrical inspection done and then call a pest control service.
- Circuit Breaker Issues: Circuit breakers trip when a circuit is overloaded, they are designed to this as a safety catch to prevent fires. If you’re having circuit breakers trip constantly, then you need a home electrical service inspection and find out what the issue may be, which could be having your circuit panel updated.
How do I test my house for wiring?
It is always recommended to have a professional electrician with experience in home electrical how to check your home electrical service wiring. There are some thing you can do yourself using an inexpensive tester or a multimeter.
- Testing Outlets: Turn the power off at the circuit breaker first. Then insert the tester’s two probes into the two vertical slots. If the power is live, the tester will light up. Check the grounding by inserting one tester probe into the short, straight slot and the other probe in the D-shaped slot. The tester will light up if the circuit is working and there is a good ground connection.
- Testing Wall Switches: To test a wall switch for your home electrical power, power off at the circuit breaker the remove the cover plate and flip the switch to on. Touch one tester probe carefully one of the screws on the switch’s side and the other probe to the copper ground wire. Flip the switch to off and repeat the test. If there is no light in either test, the switch is dead.
We never would encourage home electrical service engineering to a homeowner that doesn’t have any type of home electrical experience. Electricity can be extremely dangerous, and it isn’t worth saving a few dollars and risking your life or your home. Where the weather can be questionable, like in the south with tornadoes and in the north with snowstorms, home electrical service with backup systems are recommended. Otherwise known as generators, A backup system for your home electrical needs can keep your house functioning for a short time until the main power is back on. Call 985-764-8191 today.