What Are the Most Common Faults in an Electrical Circuit?
Electrical circuits are an important part of modern life. They power everything from factory equipment to home appliances, but electrical circuits can have many issues that make them unsafe, stop them from working, or cost a lot to fix. Knowing about these common flaws can help you determine what’s wrong, keep you safe, and ensure your electrical system works properly.
At Brennan Electric in Seattle, WA, we strive to help our customers maintain a safe and efficient electrical system by finding, diagnosing, and fixing common circuit faults. Read on to learn about the top 10 common electrical circuit faults we find and what you can do about them.
1. Short Circuits
When electrical current escapes the intended path and bypasses the typical load on the circuit, a short circuit occurs. Usually, this happens when two points with different potentials, like hot and neutral wires, come into direct contact. It could be because the insulation is damaged, the connections are loose, or the wires are exposed. Short circuits can cause circuit breakers to trip, fuses to blow, and wires to get too hot. In the worst cases, they can damage appliances or start electrical fires.
To deal with a short circuit, cut the power to the impacted circuit, then call an experienced electrician. They can check the area for obvious signs of wear or loose connections and replace any damaged insulation or wiring. Always rely on professionals to repair broken and damaged circuits.
2. Open Circuits
A break in the circuit that stops electrical current from flowing is known as an open circuit. Typical reasons an open circuit could occur include a broken part, a malfunctioning switch, or a disconnected wire. A circuit or device that has an open circuit completely loses power. As a result, appliances may stop working, and electrical systems will likely develop problems.
To get the circuit working again, ask an electrician to look at all its connections, switches, and other parts to find the break, then replace or fix any broken parts. You can perform a multimeter test can help locate the exact spot where the break happened, but you need to work with a professional electrician to diagnose and fix open circuit faults.
3. Overloaded Circuits
An overload occurs when the demand for electricity is higher than the capacity of the circuit. Most of the time, this happens because too many devices are in use at once, or the circuit isn’t rated correctly. This could cause things to get too hot, which is dangerous because it could start an electrical fire or damage wiring and appliances.
Dimming or flickering lights, warm or hot outlets, and frequent circuit breakers tripping all indicate an overloaded circuit. It’s important to take quick action if you think a circuit is overloaded. To determine the circuit’s capacity, rebalance the load, or upgrade the circuit to safely handle increasing demands, consult a licensed electrician.
4. Ground Faults
When electrical current accidentally flows to the ground instead of the intended circuit path, this is known as a ground fault. Damaged insulation, bad wiring, or insufficient grounding can all cause this. Because ground faults greatly raise the risk of electrical shock, they are especially dangerous in moist environments.
Unusual system behavior, frequent GFCI device tripping, electrical shocks when handling outlets or appliances, and other symptoms are indicative of ground faults. An expert inspection by a certified electrician is necessary to address ground faults to ensure appropriate insulation and grounding.
5. Voltage Drops
Voltage drops occur when the voltage level in a circuit drops as electricity flows through it. The cause is usually resistance in the wiring or components. This often happens because of bad connections, long cable runs, and wires that are too small for their jobs. Drops in voltage can mean that electrical devices don’t get enough power, which can cause them to break down or work less efficiently.
Qualified electricians can guarantee that the electrical system is built to efficiently handle the load, suggest suitable wire sizes, and enhance connections. System performance, energy economy, and the lifespan of your electrical components all benefit from proper voltage drop management.
6. Electrical Arcing
When an electrical current crosses a gap between two conductive surfaces, it causes an electrical discharge that can be seen. Arcing in electricity is the name for this effect. This could happen because of worn-out parts, loose connections, or damaged insulation, which would make a high-temperature arc that could get too hot and damage the system. In addition to making the electrical system less efficient, arcing poses risks of fires and electrical shocks.
7. Faulty Switches
In a circuit, broken switches can really slow down the flow of electricity, causing uneven power delivery or even a complete power outage. Misfunctioning switches are often caused by bad installation, mechanical failure, or normal wear and tear. If the lights flicker or make strange noises, or you can’t turn them on or off, the switch might be broken.
8. Blown Fuses
When a fuse blows, it interrupts the electrical circuit, and power is cut off because the metal filament of the fuse melts from an excessive current flow. This usually occurs when an appliance draws more current than the fuse is rated to handle, the circuit is overloaded, or there is a short circuit. Fuse blowing is a precaution intended to safeguard the circuit from fire or other harm.
Plugs or appliances that suddenly lose power are often signs of a blown fuse, along with damage to the fuse itself. Before fixing a blown fuse, you need to find out why the current flow is too high. It is important to talk to a licensed electrician in order to figure out what the problem is, whether it is a short circuit or an overload.
9. Corroded Connections
Corroded connections are caused by the oxidation or rusting of metal electrical contacts, usually as a result of exposure to chemicals, moisture, or external factors. Poor electrical performance results from corrosion, which increases resistance and obstructs the flow of electricity.
When connections rust over time, power can go out, the temperature can rise, or the circuit can stop working completely. Rust around connection points, metal surfaces that are discolored or pitted, and electrical devices that don’t always work right are all signs of corrosion.
The first step in fixing corroded connections is to look at all the relevant wiring and connections for signs of damage or corrosion. When corrosion gets bad enough, the affected parts usually need to be replaced. But sometimes, minor corrosion can be cleaned up or treated with the right chemicals.
10. Improper Grounding
When the grounding of the electrical system is insufficient or installed improperly, it is known as improper grounding. This may be the consequence of defective grounding equipment or improper installation techniques. Inadequate grounding raises the possibility of electrical shocks, damaged equipment, and unstable systems. Additionally, it reduces the efficacy of circuit protection tools like GFCIs and circuit breakers.
Make sure the grounding system complies with local electrical codes and is installed correctly. Check the equipment and grounding connections frequently for indications of wear or damage. If you suspect grounding issues, seek professional advice.
Contact Us Today
At Brennan Electric, we provide a variety of electric services, including electrical repair, electrical panels, lighting installation, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, hot tub wiring, RV plug-ins, EV chargers, surge protection, standby generators, and portable generators.
Stay proactive to keep your Seattle, WA home safe — contact Brennan Electric, and work with our licensed electricians to address and prevent common circuit faults.
