Signs of Bad Electrical Wiring in a House

Bad electrical wiring is highly dangerous. Apart from posing serious safety hazards, faulty electrical wiring can cause damage to plugged-in appliances and electrical fires. Unfortunately, most people do not realize they have bad wiring until an electrical disaster strikes. In the U.S., bad electrical wiring is responsible for thousands of fires every year. Luckily, wiring-related accidents can be prevented when you know the signs of bad electrical wiring in a house.

In this article, you’ll learn more about signs of bad electrical wiring and what you can do to avoid dangerous electrical issues.

• Flickering or Dimming Lights

If your lights dim or flicker when you plug in something like a microwave or dishwasher, you probably have an overloaded circuit or a faulty electrical component. Flickering or dimming can also mean you have a loose light bulb. 

• Frequently Tripped Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are designed to trip whenever there’s a system overload or an electrical fault that could damage the circuit. While it’s not uncommon for a circuit breaker to trip, having frequent circuit breaker trips is an indication of a problem with your electrical wiring or a faulty electrical panel.  

• Frayed Wires

It may seem obvious that frayed wires are a sign of trouble, but many homeowners overlook the problem thinking that it won't cause an issue.  Frayed wiring can be a fire hazard and can cause electrocution. Electrical wires can fray due to heat, bending, corrosion, or age. If you have frayed wires in your house, call an emergency electrician as soon as possible to make repairs.

• Strange Burning Odor

If you detect burning smells coming from your wiring, electrical outlets, or breaker panel, you could be facing an imminent risk of an electrical fire. Any source of burning smell should be fixed quickly by an experienced electrician.

• Smoke Coming from Outlets or Appliances

Smoke from an electrical outlet or an appliance is a sign of loose wiring inside the outlet that’s probably causing an arc. When you notice smoke in your house, ensure you turn off all appliances and try to identify the source of the smoke.

• Old Aluminum Wiring

If your home was built between 1965 and 1972, you probably have aluminum wiring in your house. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring is prone to breaking and warping and can cause electrical problems. If your house has aluminum electrical wiring, call an experienced electrician to replace it with copper wiring.

What Should You Do If Your Wiring Is Showing The Above-Mentioned Signs?

When you notice signs of bad electrical wiring in your house, ensure you call a knowledgeable and experienced electrician to fix the problem. No matter how good you are at DIY, you should never attempt to fix bad electrical wiring. Electricity is extremely dangerous, and all electrical repairs and installations should be handled by an electrician who's equipped with the right safety gear and equipment.

At Mr. Electric, we provide a wide range of electrical services, including electrical repairs, installation, and inspection.

If you're not sure about the condition of your electrical wiring, call Mr. Electric to schedule an inspection.