Outlet failure is a very common problem that homeowners face. Sometimes electrical failure occurs because there are too many devices plugged into the outlet. But more often than not, wiring issues within the circuit are the main cause. Read on to learn about the common reasons for outlet failure so you will know what to do, and more importantly, know when to call in the professionals.
The right way is to curl the wire around the screw and tighten the screw down. The wrong way is to backstab the wire. Backstabbing means that instead of using screw terminals to connect wires to outlets and switches, the wire is pushed into a connector that grabs the wire inside the device. This creates a loose connection, and loose connections cause the wires in outlets to burn up and kill the rest of the circuit.
Checking for backstabbed wires can be done without the help of a professional, although if any are found we highly recommend hiring a professional to fix them. To check, all you have to do is take off the outlet plate and remove the receptacle from the outlet box. You should then be able to see if the wires are properly curled around the screws or if they are backstabbed.
A wire nut is a connector for wires. This device is designed to keep all wires together and covered. After all, exposed wires are a no-no. Some electricians use wire nuts to make a connection between wires. But technically, they are only designed to cover wires.
Using them for anything else will cause problems with inner wiring and will cause your electrical outlets to stop functioning properly. When it comes to wiring there are two main types of metal wires available, aluminum and copper.
Copper is a stronger, more durable metal and most devices are rated for copper wiring. Aluminum is also used, but it comes with a lot of problems. Aluminum is brittle, breaks easier, and has more resistance for electricity. We would love to hear about it.
Drop us a line below with your comments. Articles , Electrical Safety. Multiple Electrical Outlets Not Working? Are you struggling to find the cause for your plug sockets not working? Are you frustrated with constantly tripped circuit breakers? There are a few answers to this question. We will explore each one for you. An Overloaded Circuit This is a common occurrence.
The scenario looks like this: You are going about your typical routine, checking your email on your computer, charging your iPhone, and listening to your favorite radio show while blow-drying your hair… When, all of a sudden, everything shuts down. What gives? The circuit breaker got tripped by the overload of power that was demanded from it.
How To Fix: Have no fear, there is an easy fix. First, unplug everything from the outlet in question. Then, locate the main breaker. What are the warning signs of an overloaded electrical circuit? Before it causes a tripped circuit breaker, your outlets may be giving you a heads up before they stop working if: Your lights start to flicker or dim You hear sizzling or crackling from the outlet s It smells like something is burning from the electrical receptacle The outlet s are warm to the touch You get shocked from the appliances plugged into the outlet The area around where the plug goes into the outlet looks dark Keep reading to learn more about these warning signs and how to prevent an electrical house fire.
How To Fix: A GFCI outlet, also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter, will shut off if it determines that there is too much power surging through it. There is a reset button on this type of outlet that will pop out if it has been tripped.
Simply remove all plugs, push the reset button, and see if that resolves the issue. If the outlet is still not resetting, the GFCI outlet may be defective. Loose Connections Loose wiring can be caused by normal wear and use over time. How To Fix: After turning off the power supply to the malfunctioning outlets from the circuit breaker, remove the cover plate to see if there are any loose connections to the socket.
If any of the wires appear loose or corroded, it is best to have the whole outlet replaced. A Bad Electrical Outlet This is the result of burnout. There are a few solutions to this including updating your wiring, redistributing the circuits, and upgrading the circuit breaker. Again, it is best to make sure these activities are performed by a professional electrician.
The identification of a tripped breaker is not that difficult. A wire connector, a wire nut has one main purpose—keeping all wires covered and joined together. And, this can only be a good thing since no one wants exposed wires.
To connect wires, some electricians use wire nuts. However, the wire nuts are designed only for covering wires. So, using them for any other purpose can cause the inner wiring to develop problems, which in turn will prevent your electrical outlets from working properly. Most people assume major problems and complex issues with their electrical system whenever an outlet goes dead.
In doing so, they completely disregard the simpler reasons for the problem. Not checking the status of your GFCI when you have a dead or inappropriately working outlet is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Instead, call in an electrician. Part of individual plugs, GFCI works in a manner similar to the circuit breaker. For instance, if there is a power surge, the plug will be turned off by the GFCI. Generally, to restore power, all that the electrician will have to do is press a small reset button on the surface.
You may already know this but a warm or sparking outlet is something you need to be worried about. Both an excessively warm outlet and a sparking outlet are a major risk. Then, unplug the outlet. There is a possibility that changing the receptacle is the only thing you may have to do to restore function. Just like everything else, electrical outlets have an expiration date.
They will perform their function for a while but eventually a time will come when they get worn out.
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