We use electrical switches every day in our home: So, why do they suddenly go bad? Many factors cause an electrical switch or plug to go bad.
Tripped Circuit Breakers
A trip in your circuit breaker can be the cause of your bad outlet. It might be frustrating when you uncover that the plug you have been trying to get to work for the last year was out because you didn’t check the breaker—it’s more uncommon than you think.
A tripped breaker is not a bad thing—quite the opposite, in fact. If you tripped your breaker, it means your system is working properly to prevent fires and serious electrical problems in your home.
However, if you continuously have a tripped breaker—especially if it happens on the same plug—you might have a more serious issue. Continuous trips of a breaker signify a potentially serious hazard as the outlet overloads.
Faulty Ground
Most people familiar with an electrical system enough to check their outlets might forget about a key player—the ground or GFCI. The GFCI is one of the best prevention mechanisms in tripping your breaker, making it just as important as the positive and negative in a household. A faulty ground could result in continuous tripping of the breaker, fires, and other hazards.
Worn Out Outlets
Unsurprisingly, outlets are also subject to time and wear. While we might not think about it because we are using them 24/7, time has no favorites. The average life expectancy is 50 to 70 years for an electrical system, which makes catching aged or worn-out electrical outlets difficult.
If you are concerned about having a faulty outlet, Contact us at Electrical Insights to fix your electrical problems. We have licensed electricians who can help you 24/7 to prevent any serious electrical hazards.