Most Common Home Electrical Defects To Learn About

Every homeowner out there continues to use electricity on an everyday basis. But, rarely do homeowners think about the internal wirings of their home that is responsible for supplying the electricity.

Since wiring defects are very common, some of them can prove to be a nuisance while others a serious hazard.

Therefore, if you want to learn about some of the most common home electrical defects, then you’ve arrived at the correct place because in this article we’ll be discussing the same. Each of the below-mentioned home electrical defects has the potential to create a fire inside your house.

Popular Or Common Home Electrical Defects

1. Using The Incorrect Gauge Wire For The Incorrect Electrical Load

The best home inspection in Montreal service points out that using improper gauge wiring for your home’s electrical load will easily lead to short-circuitry and eventually house fire.

The following is a short guide for the same:

• 14-Gauge: Ideal for 15 amps and can be found throughout your home. Generally used for light fixtures.
• 12-Gauge: Ideal for 20 amps and are used for kitchens & bathrooms.
• 10-Gauge: Ideal for 30 amps and are used for washing machines and air-conditioners that are window mounted.
• 8-Gauge: Ideal for 40 amps and are used for bigger-sized appliances.
• 6-Gauge: Ideal for 55 amps and are only used for electrical furnaces.

Therefore, you need to follow the aforementioned guide when choosing the correct gauge wire for the electrical load that the specified appliance will require. For instance, if you use a 12-gauge wire to deal with 55 amps, then the whole electrical circuitry will blow up, leading to a fire. So, it’s better to consult an experienced electrical technician for the same.

2. Using The Wrong Circuit Breaker

Just like separate wire gauges are required for different electrical circuits, the circuit breaker that you’ll be using should also be compatible with your home appliances and overall electrical load. Using an incorrect circuit breaker can lead to overloading and short-circuiting, ultimately giving way to a house fire.

As a rule of thumb, if your house has multiple larger appliances, then you need to opt for a circuit breaker that can handle the electrical load of all those appliances efficiently.

3. Using The Incorrect Lamp Fixtures

Most homeowners are of the opinion that swapping a lower wattage lamp with a higher wattage one is the simplest solution to deal with dim lighting scenarios. But, the truth is – if the lighting fixture doesn’t have the electrical circuitry to deliver that specified amount of high wattage, then it can simply turn out to be a fire hazard. High wattage can directly melt the socket.

Moments like these are when you need to hire a competent electrician and thereby upgrade your lighting fixtures without harm.