5 signs your electrical system needs an upgrade
When deciding on purchasing a property or maintaining your current one, here are 5 signs to look out for when inspecting your electrical circuit and whether they require an upgrade. Many people who are looking into purchasing real estate must be really prepared to take on potential issues the previous owner had faced.
It is important to check for these signs and have them inspected by a licensed electrician before making any major decisions on the property:
- Switchboard keeps tripping: If your switchboard keeps tripping, it may be a sign that the electricals in your house are overloaded and require upgrade. Find out more about switchboard tripping here.
- Outdated Wiring: If your home was built more than 30 years ago, chances are it has outdated wiring that is not up to date with modern safety standards. Old wiring can be a potential fire hazard and may not be able to handle the current demands of modern appliances and electronics.
- Flickering or Dimming Lights: If your lights are flickering or not as bright as they used to be, it may be a sign that your electrical system is struggling to handle the load your lights are attempting to use. This can be caused by outdated wiring, faulty circuits, or other electrical issues.
- Buzzing Sounds: If you hear high pitch buzzing sounds coming from any of your power points or appliances, it may be a sign of loose connections or other electrical problems. Buzzing sounds can be a safety hazard and should be addressed by a licensed electrician. If you are hearing impaired or have difficulty hearing higher pitch ranges, be sure to schedule regular electrical maintenance as you may be unaware of this occurring.
- Outlets and Switches are Warm to the Touch: If your outlets and switches feel warm to the touch, it may be another sign of overloaded circuits or faulty wiring. This can be a safety hazard and should be addressed by a licensed electrician immediately.
Personally, as someone who likes to build computers, I run into these same situations on a small scale and can attest to the dangers of trying to draw too much power without an appropriate supply. This can lead to overheating the system and damaging the wires and potentially burning your devices or frequently tripping the safety switches, which can be frustrating having to constantly restart devices or turning the power off and on again.
If you’re experiencing any of the issues shown above, it is important to have a licensed electrician inspect your electricals and recommend any necessary upgrades or repairs.
Upgrading your electricals can help improve the safety, and efficiency of your home’s electrical system, this can even increase the value of your home or be a deciding factor in whether a home is a worthwhile investment.
Having old or faulty wiring could be running up your power bill which we have explained in our other article. Another thing to look out for that could be running up your bill is what type of tariff your hot water system is on. If you are having high utility bills, these are things to look out for.
In summary, if you have frequent switchboard trips, outdated wiring, lighting issues, buzzing sounds, or warm power points, it may be time to upgrade your electricals in your home.
Booking a licensed electrician to look for any potential problems you may miss can help ensure your property is safe and keep peace of mind from potentially stressful situations.