Electricity as they say is a good servant, but a bad teacher. It is difficult to imagine how we would survive without electricity in our homes. Almost everything we do from electrical lighting to cooking until ignition, our devices depend on.
As much as electricity serves, it can also become our worst enemy if it is not managed properly. Sometimes we get used to the extent that we even forget to carry out the necessary repairs and maintenance to keep our homes safe.
It is not surprising that hundreds of deaths occur and the property is worth millions of damaged dollars every year as a result of residential electrical fires. This electric house knows it very well, that is why they provided us with a list of domestic solutions that have the highest quality to keep us safe.
Another thing is to make sure that we perform exhaustive and regular maintenance in our homes. By doing so, you can choose any problem with your electrical system and rectify them before they cause a disaster.
Here is a checklist for electrical repair and maintenance:
Outdoor inspection
You should always start your inspection from the outside while moving inside your home. There are two things that you can basically do when it comes to external inspection:
- In case your home is connected with electricity through top cables, hire a qualified electrician to trim or cut trees around power lines.
- Do not allow trees to overload near the cables or cable services.
Check breaker panels
- Open the cover carefully and check the inside of the panel. Try to examine if there are parts that are scorched or prohibited and loose. Do not touch with your naked hands anything that appears insecure. In case you suspect that something is not adding, it is best to get in touch with a professional.
- See if you can install arc failure circuit breakers (AFCI). This is a system that helps prevent fire by monitoring the electric current inside the circuit. If an unexpected arc occurs, then the AFCI puts the offensive circuit.
Indoor inspection
After performing an exhaustive inspection outside of your home, you must focus your attention inside the house. Here are some of the things you should do:
Inspect outlets and switches
In case the output is discoloured, have a warm touch, or produces crackling sounds, it means that there is a problem somewhere. You must call an electrician as soon as possible to inspect and identify where the problem is.
Test outlets
Buy a receptacle tester from a local electric store and use it to test the points of sale. You can ask your electrician if you are not sure how to use the tester. If the output is not working, it could be a sign of loose wiring or a much larger problem.
Test GFCI outlets
Insert a receptacle lamp or tester and press the “test button”, it is assumed that the lamp is turned off. The GFCI will light if it is functioning well after pressing the “RESSTARE” button.
Check electrical cords
- Try to look for cracked, damaged or loose cords that are replaced as quickly as possible
- Avoid running the cord under the carpet or through the doors. It is better to get in touch with a professional to come and help you install additional outputs.
- Make sure there are no naked cables hanging around the house at any given time, regardless of whether the output has the power or not
- You should also make sure that all cables and plugs are at a distance from any heat source such as a space heater or radiators. Avoid putting furniture or anything with a substantial weight at the top of the cords.
- When outside, make sure that you only use cables or items labelled for outdoor use
Check your light bulbs
It is important to ensure that all bulbs that are used in your home do not exceed the maximum recommended valuation. Sometimes it is easy to assume and start using bulbs that are below or above the required wattage.
This law may seem simple, but it can cause electrical problems at home.
Second, make sure all bulbs have balloons or tones for security reasons. Materials such as clothing are placed too close to the bulbs can cause a bud of fire.
Inspect circuit breakers
You should also hire a qualified and experienced electrician to come and inspect the switches that keep stumbling at home.
All the circuits of your home must be properly connected to the ground. A circuit comprises cables that transmit the electric current to the appliances and lights. This means that there must be a ground cable within your home.
Bottom line
Electricity plays a great role in our homes. However, it can also be very dangerous if it is not managed properly. You must perform routine electrical maintenance to make sure your home is safe. It always involves a qualified professional for problems that are beyond your knowledge.
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