Electrical faults can occur in any home, and it's important to identify them early to prevent further damage or potential safety hazards. Here are some tell-tale signs of a new or existing electrical fault within your home:
If your electrical appliances or devices are not functioning as they should, it could be a sign of an electrical fault. This could include flickering/dim lights, power surges, or frequent circuit breaker, RCD or RCBO tripping.
If the circuit protective devices in your switchboard are tripping frequently, it could be an indication of an electrical fault. This is a safety feature designed to protect your home from potential electrical hazards, so when these switch off there’s a problem!
If your lights flicker when they're turned on or off, it could be a sign of an electrical fault. This could be caused by loose connections or faulty wiring within the roof space or incompatible transformers for the lights.
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If you experience any shocks or tingles when touching a metallic surface, it could be a sign of an electrical fault. This is a serious safety hazard and should be addressed immediately.
Sometimes old wiring or burning wires can give off an odd smell. If your switchboard or anywhere in your home near an electrical outlet has an odd smell, you should call us out immediately to qualify exactly what the problem is. Learn more about home rewires here.
If you see sparking from an outlet or appliance plugged into an outlet it is advised to turn the power off at the main switch in the switchboard and get an electrician out. If your switchboard is sparking, you should call an electrician out immediately and step away from the board. It may be time to consider a switchboard upgrade.
If you can hear a buzzing sound when you turn on a light or power outlet this could be the wiring behind the switch or an unsteady current, which can quickly develop into larger problems.
Nonetheless, if you're experiencing any of the above signs, it's essential to call a member of our licensed electrician team to diagnose and repair the problem. Ignoring electrical faults can lead to more severe issues, including electrical fires, electrocution or appliance damage.
Don't hesitate to contact us for help in identifying and fixing any electrical faults in your home so we can get there immediately and help make your home safe again!
When it comes to finding an electrical fault, there's no set time or shortcut to diagnose the issue. It's a process of elimination that involves testing the current at the source, then testing the outlet and everything in between until the fault is pinpointed.
Here's how we generally find an electrical fault:
The first step is to test the current/voltage at the source of the problem. This could involve testing the fuse, breaker, or any other components that supply power to the affected area.
Next, we test the outlet where the electrical fault is suspected. This helps to confirm whether the issue is with the outlet itself or the wiring in between.
If the issue is not found at the source or the outlet, then we test everything in between. This could include testing the wiring, switches, and any other components that could be causing the problem.
Once we've tested everything, we can narrow down exactly where the fault is along the line. This helps to identify the cause of the issue and develop a plan to fix it.
Once the fault is found, we'll provide you with a direct solution or options (if available) for repairing the issue. It's important to address electrical faults promptly to prevent further damage or potential safety hazards. So, if you suspect an electrical fault in your home, don't hesitate to contact us for help in finding and fixing the problem.
Common indicators of an electrical fault are below:
- flickering lights
- Burning odour
- Sparking at power point connections
- Tripping fuses/safety switches
- Unusual buzzing sounds from electrical accessories
If you are experiencing any of these you NEED to reach out to us so we can resolve the issues and make your home safe again.
YES, they can be very dangerous, there are approximately 20 deaths every year caused by electrocution, and over half of these are within a residential home.
If you suspect an electrical fault, don’t risk it just call us - we're open 24 hours a day 7 days a week 1300 723 335!
