Important Things Electricians Wish You Know
Almost every household these days uses electricity but there might be a point when you’ll experience problems in your electrical system. While many of the electrical concerns you’ll have around your home are simple enough to figure out solutions for yourself, there are instances when you need expert intervention. Whether something requires the presence of an electrician or not, here are some important things they wish you knew.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Electricians want consumers to never ignore tell-tale signs of problems in their electrical system. Many of the serious issues they have had to deal with started minor that only escalated because clients ignored them from the get-go. Whether it’s a weird popping noise in the outlet breakers that fail to reset, or light switches that get top hot, every electrical issue, no matter how small, needs to be taken seriously. It will be easier and less expensive to get an electrical problem solved when they’re prevented from festering.
Overhead lines are live.
People need to know that most overhead lines aren’t insulated. Just because squirrels or birds are running across these lines and still alive doesn’t mean that they are safe. The only reason why they are is that they aren’t completing the circuit since they’re not touching the ground. While these liens may be weather-coated, that is a far cry from actually being insulated. This is why if you have utility poles that fell due to strong winds or bad weather, always approach it with caution. Better yet, call an electrician to avoid serious injuries.
Know your DIY limitations.
Many of the things concerning your electrical system can be fixed and patched via DIY. While it is a good thing to develop your self-reliance and life skills, you need to understand the limitations and boundaries of what you can safely do. If you’re still a relative newbie, make sure to work only on components that are outside your wall.
Over time, your amateur electrical skills will develop which could lead to you doing more complicated and advanced work. The key is to never attempt to do anything you are confident you can execute safely. When in doubt, call an electrician. It is safer.
Low voltage doesn’t make it less dangerous.
A lot of people often think that a low voltage system poses no threat. It still does. In fact, experienced electricians will tell you to treat it as you would any standard system. This means taking the necessary basic precautions when working on the system. Besides, this is how you will develop best practices that will keep you safe and efficient every time you work on your electrical system. Also, many people have experienced getting a mild shock when working on a low-voltage system. This can cause people to get surprised and worse, fall off their ladders when working at height.
Do not hold down or tape circuit breakers.
The reason your circuit breakers work is because they are designed to break circuits. If you find that your breaker seems to keep popping, there is a reason that it does and you need to get it fixed as soon as possible. Just merely holding it down using a tape is not going to fix the problem. You’re asking for trouble when you’re forcing the breaker to make contact. Call an electrician to get the issue fixed before it can lead to very serious consequences.
