Common Causes of Electrical Connection Problems
Electrical fires can mean complete devastation. Even if a fire is caught early and the bulk of the home or business can be saved, there will surely be damage done to the electrical system. Even if you catch an electrical connection problem before it becomes a fire or a danger at all, it will need to be replaced. The best way to prevent connection issues from costing your home or business is to know what kind of electrical connection system you have and know the causes of connection problems.
One of the main problems with electrical connections can be traced to the type of circuit installed. If you have a parallel circuit, which was typically used in homes up until 1959 then again in new homes built in 2010, you have a safer connection system over homes or businesses with series circuits. Series circuits can best be described as when you have a string of Christmas lights and you remove one bulb and the rest stop working. This kind of connection set up is considered to be poor and has even been made illegal in homes after 2010. The practice of using this kind of circuit has caused electrical fires.
If you are having any kind of connection issues, there may be a number of causes outside of what kind of circuit you have in your home or business. One very common cause of electrical connection problems is corrosion. Corrosion can happen in circuits where there is high humidity or dampness, such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. Corrosion will cause the connections to ultimately go bad and could increase your chance of a fire.
Another cause of electrical connection issues is the use of back stabbed connections. These connections cause so much contracting and expanding to take place as heat is created and then the connections cool. These kinds of connections can loosen with all of the expanding and contracting and then may be unsafe. The loosening of the connection, and the increase in danger, can actually take place over the course of just a few years.
Neglect or not having any real knowledge of your home’s or businesses electrical connection system is perhaps the biggest cause of problems overall. It is essential that you know what is going on behind those outlets and walls and what kind of panel you have for the delivery of electricity in your home or business so you can avoid any problems, big or small.Call us today for any questions your might have!