Top 10 Electrical Repair Tips and Tricks
Whether you’re doing an electrical repair for yourself or hiring someone to do it, there are a few key things you need to know. These electrical safety tips can help you avoid shocks, fires, and electrocution.
One of the most common electrical problems is an outlet that’s overloaded. To prevent this, make sure you’re not plugging too many items into the same outlet.
1. Unplug Everything
Unplugging everything is a good way to protect your appliances and electronics against power surges, overheating and fires. It also saves energy and helps to increase the life of your appliances.
Many appliances draw small amounts of electricity even when they’re not in use, which is why they’re often referred to as “energy vampires.”
Desktop computers and laptops, televisions, clock radios, cable boxes, DVRs and other devices that are always in “sleep” mode are among the most common culprits.
Getting into the habit of unplugging these devices can save you a lot of energy, money and stress over the long run. You may even see a savings of 10% on your electricity bill.
2. Check the Outlets
If you suspect a problem with your outlets, it’s important to get them fixed immediately. You don’t want to risk a fire or electrical shock!
Fortunately, outlets are relatively easy to test. All you need is a voltage tester and some basic tools.
First, check the outlet for a live circuit. Using a voltage tester, slide the flat end into one of the outlet slots.
If no current comes through the tester, you have a wiring problem. Try plugging in another outlet or a device that you know is working to see if that solves the issue.
3. Check the Wiring
Faulty wiring can be a fire hazard. That’s why it’s incredibly important to have your home’s wiring checked regularly by an electrician.
Having your home’s wiring checked every few years can help to prevent small issues from turning into big problems, such as starting a fire in your house.
You can check your home’s wiring with a multimeter. You can also do some visual checks to look for frayed or ripped wires.
You should also note whether the wires coming into your house are copper or aluminum. Those made from aluminum tend to overheat more frequently, leading to more fires.
4. Check the Appliances
One of the most important things to do when fixing electrical wiring is checking the appliances. This is important because these devices can pose serious safety risks if they’re not working properly.
Appliances that don’t work can be a serious threat to your home and your family. They can also cause fires, so you need to check them thoroughly.
If you’re looking for a way to make sure your appliances are in good condition, you can test them yourself with a multimeter.
To use a multimeter, turn it on to the “ohms” function (O) and touch one end of the meter to each closed contact you’re testing. You should read 2 ohms or less if there is proper continuity.
5. Check the Switches
There are many different types of switches in a home. They range from toggle switches to push-button switches and slide switches to dimmer switches.
There are also single pole switches, three-way switches and four-way switches depending on what kind of lighting or electrical outlets are being controlled. It’s a good idea to know what type of switch you have before troubleshooting your circuit, otherwise you may end up replacing the wrong switch.
Once you’ve determined which switch isn’t working, you can start troubleshooting with a multimeter and insulated pliers. The simplest way to test is to set the meter to its continuity or Ohms setting and touch each lead to one terminal of the switch.
6. Check the Plugs
Loose plugs and faulty outlets are a sign of wear and tear. They can cause sparks and arcing, which could result in fires.
The easiest way to check whether a cord is faulty is to use a continuity tester. Clip the probe to one blade of a plug and touch it to a wire or hole at the appliance end.
If the tester lights or buzzes at all test points, the cord is fine; if it doesn’t, the plug is faulty and needs replacement.
You can also try testing with a multimeter. These specialty electrical tools can help you pinpoint the source of an outlet problem, so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
7. Check the Wires
Checking the wires in your house or office is an important part of electrical repair. This is because a broken wire can shut down a whole appliance or even the electrical circuit of your home.
To test the wiring, you need to use a multimeter. This tool will help you determine if the wire is hot or not, which will save you from a lot of trouble in the future.
Using a multimeter isn’t hard as long as you know what you’re doing. Basically, you just have to make sure that the probes are in contact with the bare wires at the end of each wire.
To get started, you need to set your multimeter to continuity mode or Ohms, depending on the model of meter that you have. Then, place the red multimeter probe on one point of the wire and the black probe on another.
8. Check the Outlets
Whether you have an outlet that won’t power anything or one that constantly flickers, it’s important to check its wiring. If it’s not working, there may be a larger wiring problem, such as loose connecting wires or an outdated outlet.
To test an outlet, insert a voltage tester into each vertical slot (red into the smaller slot and black into the larger one) in the outlet and see if the red and black leads light up. If it doesn’t, the outlet isn’t grounded correctly and needs to be repaired or replaced.
Another electrical safety tip is to make sure all outlets in wet locations are equipped with GFCIs. These were created to prevent electric shocks and electrocutions by monitoring the amount of electricity being delivered and shutting off if it’s interrupted. They can also help avoid sparking and electric fires caused by outlet overload.
9. Check the Switches
When working with electrical equipment, it is important to ensure your safety. To do so, you should turn off the circuit at the breaker or fuse controlling the device you’re working on.
You can also check the switches before you disconnect them. To do this, remove the switch cover and take note of the wire colors attached to each terminal.
A single-pole light switch should have two wires; a three-way switch has a dark screw (called the “common”) and two normal side terminals (called “travelers”).
To test a switch, touch one multimeter lead to each of the side terminals when the switch is in the off position. If the meter shows a reading of 1, then the switch is in good condition and can be left alone. If not, it’s time to replace the switch.
10. Check the Plugs
Electrical repair often requires removing plugs from appliances or outlets. It’s important to do so safely and avoid tripping breakers or fuses.
A good way to do this is with a multimeter, which lets you test the voltage from an outlet or appliance. Use a digital one to get the most accurate results.
Spark plugs are tiny electrodes that sit inside your engine’s cylinder head, with a small gap that electricity jumps across to complete the circuit by creating a spark. Over time, plugs may become “fouled” with dirt and carbon buildup. This can result in a widening gap between the electrodes, which makes it harder for high-voltage electricity to jump across and trigger combustion.