2 minute read
Gremlins in Your Electrical System?
by Expert Contributor Andrew, Owner of Martella Martella Electric
In your home, are you experiencing blinking or dimming lights? Are circuit breakers tripping? Is something electrical not working the “normal” way or as you should expect it to?
When a storm is approaching, the lights in your home may flicker, blink or dim. Many times, the power nearby has gone out and, even if your power stays on, your lights may flicker or dim. There are other causes for why your lights dim or blink, such as surges in your electrical system from appliances and equipment inside your home like refrigerators, sump pumps, hair dryers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners and heating and AC systems.
Occasional events are somewhat normal. However, persistent and consistent dimming and blinking can be a signal that trouble might be brewing in your home’s electrical system.
Common causes for a circuit breaker to trip or a fuse to blow are hair dryers running when too many lights are on. This frequently happens in older homes, particularly when there’s more than one hair dryer being used. When the outlet for the holiday lights turns off, this can be due to an overload or faulty lights.
When using the vacuum and the lights go out, there’s likely to be an overload on the circuit. Power tools used in combination with lights can trigger the same result. When the microwave oven and the coffee pot operate at the same time, the kitchen outlets can all lose power.
What was working yesterday may not work today. The electrical system in your home is a spider web maze of wires, boxes, switches, outlets and lights, any of which can fail at any time, and seemingly for no apparent reason.
You may have one light in a group that simply doesn’t come on. The dimmer switch for a chandelier doesn’t dim the light anymore. The exterior light on the front door will not turn off. The sump pump trips the breaker or pops a fuse. Sometimes the switch or outlet makes a sizzling sound. Sometimes the plug doesn’t fit tightly into the wall socket. Sometimes it seems like half of the house doesn’t have power. All these situations can be puzzling, frustrating and concerning to homeowners.
The electrical systems in our homes are, for the most part, safe and reliable, but they can be quite complicated. When the conditions described above present themselves, calling on a licensed professional electrical contractor to investigate can make a difference in keeping you, your family and your home safe, comfortable and secure.
Expert Contributor Andrew, Owner of Martella Martella Electric
As an essential business, Martella Electric is OPEN & AVAILABLE!
Martella Electric Company is a team of courteous, professional, and highly trained electricians. Our priority is to deliver superior customer service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
484-498-2965
www.MartellaElectric.com
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