Getting shocked by electricity in your own home can be a scary and dangerous experience. However, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of electric shocks caused by faulty wiring. Being proactive about home electrical safety is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
Identify Signs of Faulty Wiring
The first step is learning how to spot signs of faulty wiring in your home. Here are some common indicators:
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Frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blown fuses - This often means there is an overloaded circuit or short circuit due to faulty wiring.
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Flickering lights - Flickering lights when a high-wattage appliance turns on can indicate the wiring cannot handle the electric load.
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Discolored outlets or switch plates - Discoloration around outlets or switch plates can be a sign of dangerous heat buildup.
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Odd smells from outlets - Smelling burning or something odd from an outlet could mean overheated wiring.
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Cracking, buzzing, or sizzling from outlets - Unusual noises from electrical wiring likely signal a problem.
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Tingling sensation when touching an appliance - Feeling a shock when touching an appliance may mean a grounding issue.
Paying attention to these warning signs can alert you to electrical issues before they become hazardous.
Inspect the Electrical Panel
The electrical panel or breaker box is the central nervous system of your home's electrical system. Examining it closely can reveal risks:
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Check for corroded, loose, or overheated connections. These can cause arcs, shorts, and shocks.
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Ensure the cables are properly sized for the electric load. Undersized wires get dangerously hot.
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Make sure there is no aluminum wiring. It poses high fire and shock risks when incorrectly installed.
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Confirm the panel has enough circuit breaker spaces for the home's needs. An overloaded panel is unsafe.
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Test each circuit breaker by turning it on and off. Breakers that are faulty or don't switch off can indicate problems.
Taking time to inspect the electrical panel can uncover electrical deficiencies before real issues emerge.
Hire a Licensed Electrician
If you suspect your home's wiring is faulty, hire a licensed electrician to do a thorough evaluation and repairs. Only electricians have the proper knowledge, tools, and training to correctly diagnose and fix electrical problems.
They can:
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Use devices like a multimeter to measure volt quality at outlets. Fluctuating voltage can damage appliances and be hazardous.
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Thermally scan walls and breakers to identify hot spots that signal problems.
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Follow wiring through walls to find damaged or dangerous connections.
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Detect grounding and polarity issues which increase electric shock risks.
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Replace any outdated wiring like cloth-insulated or aluminum cables.
Paying an electrician to fully inspect and fix wiring issues provides true peace of mind. It can also prevent injury, fires, and costly damage.
Update Out-of-Date Wiring
If your home has older wiring, strongly consider having it replaced with modern wiring:
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Copper wiring is now used rather than the obsolete aluminum wiring which is more prone to problems.
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GFCI outlets should replace ungrounded outlets to prevent shocks.
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AFCI breakers are now required in bedrooms to prevent electrocution from arching faults.
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Higher amperage capacity may be needed to support increased electric demand from modern devices and appliances.
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Current wiring best practices like proper cable sizing and grounding should be followed.
While updating wiring can be an investment, it greatly improves electrical safety and reliability.
Use Surge Protectors
Power surges are sudden spikes in voltage that can damage electronics and wiring. The best protection is to plug high-value appliances and electronics into UL-certified surge protector power strips. Quality surge protectors divert excess power away from devices. They also offer insurance to replace connected equipment damaged by surges. Using them throughout your home prevents surges reaching wiring and causing fires or shocks.
Exercise Electrical Caution
Even homes with properly updated wiring require exercising electrical safety precautions:
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Never touch appliances or fixtures when wet or standing in water which exponentially increases risk of severe shock.
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Don't plug too many devices into one outlet. Overloaded outlets cause overheating that can melt insulation and energize metal.
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Avoid loose connections. Check plugs fit tightly in outlets and extension cords are not frayed.
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Never stick foreign objects into outlets or fixtures which could hit wiring.
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Keep appliances and extension cords away from water sources like sinks.
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Turn off power before performing any electrical work.
Staying cautious and following basic electrical safety principles will help minimize the chances of shocks.
Install Whole House Surge Protection
For maximum protection, have an electrician install whole house surge protection. This involves fitting surge protector devices at the electrical panel to capture surges before they can impact wiring and outlets. Whole house surge protectors provide the most comprehensive defense against electrical spikes entering from the utility line, which is the source of the majority of surges. Adding this can greatly improve wiring safety.
Preventing electric shocks from faulty wiring requires proactively identifying risks, making repairs, using surge protection, and exercising basic precautions. Following these guidelines provides the best assurance that the wiring in your home will not become hazardous. Staying on top of electrical safety protects you and your loved ones from painful shocks and possible electrocution.