Common Electrical Mistakes at Home You Should Prevent
Here is a list of common electrical mistakes at home that are usually done by DIY enthusiasts. Sadly, not only do these errors endanger your electrical system itself, but they potentially cause an electrocution risk or a possible fire hazard as well. So, you need to be careful. To know what are these, keep on reading below:
Use wrong wires
Utilizing the wrong wire for the situation is one of the causes of electrical issues. For example, selecting too small a gauge for the amperage of the circuit, utilizing indoor wire for outdoor application, or pulling the incorrect wire type through a conduit. Here, you will get the risk of possible wiring damage, overheating, or short circuits.
Reversed polarity
Revering the neutral and the hot electrical wire is perhaps the most hazardous among all typical electrical mistakes at home. Reversed polarity can harm your electronics and potentially poses the danger of fatal and extreme electric shock. A certified electrician knows how to wire the fixtures, outlets, and switches properly to guarantee that this won’t take place.
Unsafe outlets
Outlets and electrical receptacles should be attached firmly. When it’s installed poorly, outlets usually move, which can lead to electrical arcing that can be a major fire hazard. When outlets have electrical arcs and shorts, it can damage whatever is plugged into them as well.
Incorrect junction box
A plastic or steel junction box must be used when adding a new light fixture. As a matter of fact, anywhere an electrical connection is created, it should be within the right junction box.
Faulty wire connections
Faulty wire connections are one of the typical home electrical errors. They may be installed with the incorrect conduit fittings or without a wire nut. When they are metal, then, they are not bonded properly. Loose connections can make it difficult to diagnose electrical connections downstream and can generate electrical shorts.
Overloading circuits
Expert electricians are skilled when it comes to testing electric circuits for load capacity to prevent them from overloading. On the other hand, amateurs will usually keep on putting plugs onto a specific circuit, which can be unsafe and may go beyond the standard rating 15-amp breaker and 14-2 wire.
Failing to install GCFI
GFCI outlets are intended as a shock protector. This is mostly recommended to be placed in all areas near the earth and/or water, such as outdoors, bathrooms, kitchens, etc. GFCI outlet installation cab is tricky as it involves 2 terminals sets. If an amateur will do this, the terminals can simply be connected backward. As a result, shock protection will be useless.
Improper bonding/grounding
One of the vital steps to guarantee that your home electrical system is secured is grounding. Essentially, a ground wire can harmlessly transport electrical surges into the earth. Bonding involves linking electrically conductive tools to the system ground. If not for this, you’ll potentially be at risk of failing your breaker to trip once you experience short circuits at your home. Expert Atlanta commercial electrical contractors are well-versed about this but most property owners don’t.
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