There is no doubt that electricity makes it easy for activities in your home or organization to be carried out effectively. There is barely any household you’d step in that you would not find electricity in use – it is used in both urban and rural areas. Electricity has become a crucial part of our everyday life.
However, as with many technological advancements, they can develop faults during installation or after a long period of use. While electrical faults are best left for electricians, you should have basic knowledge about some common faults and how you can handle them on your own. Even without being an expert, you should be able to carry out certain electrical repairs in case of an emergency.
Keep reading to find out some basic tips for solving electrical problems you might experience or obstruct your work.
1. Check Your Bulb Screws
If you notice flickering lights in your home, that is likely a problem that can be caused by loosely screwed bulbs or light fixtures. When the bulbs are not properly screwed, the result is flickering lighting. You need to ensure that the screws go all the way in and that the lighting is firmly secured. Although this is not the only cause of flickering lights, you should first check that bulbs have been rightly screwed in.
That would prevent your lighting from falling off the ceiling. Even though this seems simple, it would go a long way in helping you stabilize the light in your facility. A screwdriver can also be used to ensure that the screw is all the way in the screw hole. Do not proceed to start using your lighting if you are not sure that your bulbs or light fixtures are well screwed.
2. Get Basic Electrical Tools at Your Disposal
Electricity, though useful, can become quite unfriendly when it comes to contact with your body. In trying to do some simple repairs yourself, get electrical tools that can help you work conveniently. These tools can be easily picked up and used to fix basic electrical issues. Why let only tools that you can easily get be what stops you from fixing your electrical faults?
You can get a toolbox where you can keep them in for easy access – away from water, as water and electricity don’t mix. Because if they do, it always results in chaos. Tools would save you stress compared to when you’re using improvised tools not originally meant for the work. Plus, they also reduce the risk of getting electrical shocks or hazards.
3. Inspect Your Cables
You should always check for any exposed cords so as to maintain your safety. Do not use a cable anymore if you find any discolored or brown spots on some of its parts. You should not attempt to touch that part without gloves since you are not a professional electrician. In this case, you should use a licensed electrician to help you in this area.
Inspecting your cables should be done periodically as you can never tell if one of your cables has been frayed or burnt out as they can keep on operating as normal. However, it can get out of hand if you do not take care of it before it escalates. This would also reduce the possibility of an electrical shock and cushion the effect of thunder or lightning on your electrical appliances when lightning passes through electrical systems.
4. Turn Off The Power From The Distribution Board
Always remember to turn off the power from the main breaker panel when you want to carry out any electrical repair on any of your electrical appliances. This will reduce the risk of any electrical shock or burn in your home or organization. This is a major safety tip as it reduces any shock risk to the barest minimum.
You should also be careful not to do this too often, as frequently flipping the switch can render it faulty at some point. The distribution board is the major supply of power in your household and should be switched off if a major electrical change or repair should be carried out.
If you are not comfortable carrying out electrical repairs, or you don’t have basic electrical knowledge, you should hire the services of a certified electrician. They can help you fix any electrical faults for a fee. Electrical issues are not a child’s play and have to be handled rightly, or they could escalate and end up badly. Put these tips in mind when confronting any electrical issue, and you’ll be keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from any possible harm.
