What IS A Short Circuit?<\/p>\n
A short circuit happens when an electrical current flows outside of it\u2019s intended circuit with no resistance to the flow. A short is actually a safety measure, so when the wires get too hot, the circuit breaker is tripped, causing the flow of electricity to stop. So while short circuits seem like a hassle, it actually means your electrical system is experiencing an issue and has stopped electricity for your safety. If the current was able to continue its problematic flow, it could heat up and cause a fire. \u00a0<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re experiencing continued short circuits, it\u2019s likely that there is an underlying issue with your electrical system. In addition to having an electrician take a look at your system, here are a few simple things you can do to prevent short circuits:<\/p>\n
1. Schedule An Electrical Inspection Annually\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t have a service plan with a trusted home comfort service company, that is an important part of maintaining your home. Having your home comfort systems inspected once a year is critical to function and safety, especially with your electrical system as home electrical fires can be a common occurrence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2. Examine Your Outlets<\/p>\n
Some of the most common causes of short circuits are wiring issues. Loose connections, faulty wiring, and aging outlets can all cause shorts. Although diagnosing some of these issues can be difficult, there are a few things you can check your outlets for to determine if there\u2019s risk involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
-Burn marks or burning smell coming from the outlet<\/p>\n
-Popping or buzzing sounds from the outlet<\/p>\n
-Sparks when you plug something into the outlet<\/p>\n
-Outlet is over 15 years old.<\/p>\n
3. Check Out Your Appliances\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sometimes the cause of the short is not the electrical system, but the appliance itself. Be sure to check for damaged cords, cracks in the appliance, or exposed circuits before plugging anything into your outlets.<\/p>\n
4. Circuit Breaker Maintenance<\/p>\n
The flow of electricity in short circuits is stopped by the circuit breaker, so be sure that it\u2019s maintained so that it can protect your home. It\u2019s a good idea to check it for damage like loose fittings or cracks. Be sure you know what circuit each breaker controls. Most circuit breaker boards have labels by each breaker. If your home is not labeled, have an electrician come out to identify each one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your home\u2019s electrical safety translates to the safety of you and your family. If you have questions about your circuit breaker, electrical panel, or anything concerning short circuits and your electrical system, call on our knowledgeable electricians to help keep your home safe and efficient!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019ve all experienced this at some point, or at least seen it in the movies; the power goes out, someone yells \u201cMust be a short, I\u2019ll check the circuit breaker!\u201d\u00a0 Short circuits are actually fairly common, but they can be dangerous and a warning sign of an electrical hazard, so it\u2019s important to know what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-electrical"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n