Signs That You Need An Electrical Wiring Upgrade


Electrical faults are among the leading causes of fires in homes and business premises. The good news is that most of these situations can be easily avoided. Correct installation and maintenance of electrical wiring is one of the best ways to ensure the safety of your building and the people therein from the threats of fires. Similar to other electrical systems, electrical wiring can also experience different forms of damage as well as ageing over time. As such, it is critical that you know how to tell if your electrical wiring is in a bad conditioon or faulty.

There are common signs of electrical wiring degradation that you should be enlightened on.

Some of the key signs that you need an electrical wiring upgrade.

Burning smell from power outlets

Whenever you buy a new appliance, there is usually a distinctive smell that eventually wears off with time. In case you notice funny odors of something burning coming out of the sockets, it could be a sign of damaged wires inside. Whenever the wires are worn out and loose, the electric current inside the power outlets wil create sparks that could easily start fires. In case your power outlet is producing a burning smell, you should immediately switch off the appliance then, invite a professional electrician to troubleshoot and fix the issues.

Recurring circuit breaker trips and blown fuses

The primary role of a fuse and circuit breaker is to protect your electrical systems from the risks of power overloads. In fact, they are supposed to immediately shut down as soon as an overload is detected. If you frequently replace fuses in the sockets and experience circuit breaker tripping, there is a greater chance that the electrical wiring is faulty. In case the fuses only blow off repeatedly on one outlet, it could be that its circuit is overloaded and requires upgrading.

Depending on the specific issues, you may also need to install additional power lines. However, the problems can only effectively resolved after a proper diagnosis of your electrical wiring systems to determine the specific causes and impacts. Even if you can troubleshoot the circuit breaker, it is still advisable to seek the help of an electrician.

Overheating outlets and switch plates

All electrical appliances including space heaters are designed with unique features for heat retention. This means that even if used for longer hours, the appliances should never overheat. Power outlets and switch plates may experience slight warmth since they handle electricity but, if they get too hot to touch, it is an indication of wiring malfunction. Sometimes, the problem could also be a result of faults on other electrical components, causing interruptions with the wiring.

The best course of action in such situations is to immediately turn off the affected outlets and unplug any appliances attached to them. Considering the issues may not only be related to electrical wiring, you should contact a licensed electrician to look at the appliances before using them again.

Buzzing sounds from electrical appliances

While there are some appliances that produce sound when in operation, the sound is often very mild and hardly noticed. In case your electrical appliances start producing an irritating sound, there could be a number of problems that require immediate and proper resolutions. One of the reasons why appliances produce buzing sounds is loose wiring connections and other structural parts.

To avoid causing any further damage to the appliances and ensure safety, it is advisable to immediately stop using the affected systems. If the problem is a result of loose connections, you can safely reconnect the wiring then, test the appliance to see if it is resolved. In case you are not sure about troubleshooting and fixing the issues, simply call an electrician.

Apart from the above signs, frayed and uninsulated electrical wires are also significant safety hazards that should be addressed by wiring upgrade. Besides, if the switches in your home start shocking, you should also consider upgrading the electrical wiring.

At Electrical Service Singapore, we are the experts in electrical wiring installation and upgrade that you should engage when faced with the above issues. Get in touch with us today for a free quotation for your home, office or business’ electrical wiring installation and upgrade.

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License Number: HB-09-5474D