Electrical repair is an important part of maintaining a safe and healthy home. If you are having trouble with your electrical system, it is best to call a professional electrician right away.
Electrical repair can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. In fact, most problems are pretty easy to fix.
Wiring
Wiring is the system of wires that carry electricity from one part of a building to another. Faulty wiring can cause house fires, so it’s important to have your electrical system checked regularly by a professional electrician.
A home’s electrical system consists of several components, including switches, outlets, and appliances. These components are connected by a series of wires that are insulated and protected from exposure to the elements.
Every home has a service panel, which distributes power to switches and outlets. It also acts as the main disconnect point in the event of a short circuit or overload.
If a switch or outlet isn’t working properly, the first step is to check the wires behind the plate for power flow. This will often reveal a short or frayed wire that needs to be replaced.
There are many different types of wires, and each type has a specific use. Some are designed for high-temperature conditions, while others are waterproof, chemical-proof or steam-proof.
Most wires have a marking that tells what each one is used for. These markings are printed on the insulation or outer sheathing, and they can help you choose a suitable material for your project.
Red-colored wires are live, while white and gray wires are neutral. Green wires are grounding or earthing wires, which connect a terminal in an outlet box to a ground bus bar in the electrical panel.
Other wires are used for powering appliances, such as lighting systems or three-way switches. They are usually black or red, but blue or yellow are sometimes used instead of black or red. The color you select for a wiring installation will depend on the environment in which it will be used.
Outlets
In electrical repair, outlets are used to power a variety of devices and appliances. They can also be used to control a home’s lighting system and heating and cooling systems.
Older outlets may not be up to code and should be replaced. They are prone to becoming worn out and causing fires as they age.
They can also go out for a variety of reasons, including loose wiring connections and problems with the circuit breaker. A professional can diagnose the problem and recommend a repair or replacement.
A GFCI outlet is an excellent safety option. It works by detecting if there’s a difference in the current coming into it and shutting off to prevent deadly shocks.
GFCIs are commonly found in bathrooms, laundry rooms, crawl spaces and other areas where water is present. These outlets also have a “test” and “reset” button that can be pressed to ensure the outlet is working properly.
Another type of outlet is a tamper-resistant outlet, which means that it is hard for children to break into. This is especially useful in homes where young children are likely to try to use anything that has a plug attached to it.
Other types of outlets include pop-out outlets, which allow you to remove the cover and plug in different objects when needed. Wi-Fi outlets enable you to wirelessly connect and control plugged-in devices from your phone.
These types of outlets are becoming more and more common in new construction as well. They are safer than the older three-prong, ungrounded outlets because they have a ground wire to keep your house from overheating and catching fire. They’re also easier to clean and maintain.
Switches
Switches are an important component of electrical repair because they control the flow of electricity between different circuits. They also provide protection for equipment in case of overloads or short circuits.
Typically, switches are used to control an outlet or light fixture. They are made up of a pair of screw terminals connected to a wire. In most cases, a “hot” wire (black or red) and a “neutral” wire (white) connect to each of these screw terminals.
In addition, switches can be equipped with a grounding wire. This wire is usually a bare copper wire that connects to a green terminal screw on the switch.
A faulty switch may make a variety of sounds, from clicking and buzzing to popping and sizzling. These sounds can indicate a number of problems, including loose wiring or a blown fuse.
To check whether the wiring is correct, remove the cover plate on the switch and inspect it carefully. Then, use a non-contact neon circuit tester to test the two wires and any screw terminals on the switch.
If the switch has a load arc, it is probably faulty and will need to be replaced. This is caused by a high voltage potential jumping between the switch contacts as they pull away from each other.
A faulty switch will also allow surges to pass through to the equipment it controls. This can cause damage to the equipment, especially if it is sensitive, and can result in electrocution. Fortunately, most switches are designed to be relatively easy to replace. However, if the switch is not rated to handle the current that it was meant to carry, you will need to contact your local electrician for assistance.
Plugs
Power cord plugs and electrical outlets wear out over time, requiring repair. Replacing a worn plug is an easy fix that assures your device works safely and successfully.
There are several types of electrical plugs used worldwide, including polarized and non-polarized self-connecting, terminal screw, and three-pronged plugs. Some plugs are easier to replace than others.
Type A plugs are ungrounded plugs that consist of two flat parallel prongs. They have a current and voltage rating of 15A and 125V, respectively. They are available in North America, Mexico, and Japan.
They can be found on appliances like lamps and vacuum cleaners. These standard plugs aren’t usually polarized, making them the easiest to replace.
Another popular type of plug is a non-polarized self-connecting, or “snap on” plug. These plugs snap on easily and are found on most household electronics, such as lamps.
You can find these plugs in many countries, including Japan, China, and Canada. The pins in these plugs measure 19 mm long and 4 mm wide, and they are covered with an insulated sleeve that is 10 mm from the base.
Unlike Type A plugs, Type B plugs are grounded plugs. They consist of two flat parallel prongs and a round grounding pin that is longer than the hot and neutral pins.
The grounding pin is positioned under the hot and neutral pins to protect the plugged appliance and the user from an electrical shock. It diverts stray electricity to the power supply and ground wire, which reduces the risk of electrocution.
There are also hybrid plugs designed to work with both Type E and F sockets. These plugs have a female earthing contact that accepts the grounding pin of a Type E socket, and two earthing clips at the plug housing that work with Type F sockets.
Cords
Electrical cords are insulated cables with plugs at one or both ends that connect an electrical device to a power source. They are used to power a variety of appliances and electronic devices such as lamps, heaters, small electric ovens, and refrigerators.
Damaged or frayed cords may become dangerous and should be replaced immediately. The first step in repairing an electrical cord is to unplug it and take control of both ends.
Some cords, such as extension cords, can be repaired by wrapping the faulty section in electrical tape. However, this is not a permanent solution and can increase the risk of shock or fire.
For cords with exposed wiring or superficial damage to the outer insulation, a more permanent repair may be required. Tape can be used to reinforce the damaged area and reattach wires.
Before beginning this procedure, make sure you have a safe work space and all of the tools needed to complete the task safely. It is also helpful to keep a cover and stand nearby for your soldering iron.
To test the cord for safety, clip a jumper wire across the male and female cord terminals (or twist the two wires together). Place your multimeter’s probes on the prongs and read zero ohms. A high or fluctuating reading indicates a fault in the cord.
Many heating appliances use detachable cords, which are not as durable as a cord that is sealed to the appliance. If you choose to replace the cord, be sure the new one is of the same power rating and configuration as the original.
Columbus Ohio Electrician
1550 Old Henderson Rd, Suite 45
Columbus, OH 43220
(614) 340-2458