Many fires are caused by faulty electrical wiring, which includes wiring that’s old, damaged or improperly installed. Sometimes electrical problems can be difficult to spot, but there are some warning signs to watch out for in order to prevent potentially harmful damage or injury.

Continuous Circuit Trips

Circuits are designed to trip and shut off power when they’re overloaded in order to prevent damage or fire. If one of your circuits trips only when you accidentally have too many things plugged into the outlets on that circuit, then that’s likely normal. However, if your circuit keeps tripping despite not having much power running to it, that could be a sign of other problems in your wiring. Continuous tripping could also indicate that you simply have too many high-energy appliances connected to that circuit. An electrical inspection Atlanta GA can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

Dim, Flickering or Noisy Lights

Lights that are dim or that buzz or continuously flicker, even after making sure the bulbs are working, could indicate that your wiring system is damaged or outdated, with loose connections causing the problem. If your lights only dim or flicker when you plug something in on the same circuit, that could indicate that the circuit is being overloaded. Additionally, lights that make crackling noises may mean that you’re dealing with frayed wires.

Discoloration or Odd Smells

Scorch marks and burning or smoky smells should be addressed immediately as they indicate that electrical problems are expelling heat and already causing fire damage. A common place where you may see discoloration is outlets, and places that may start giving off an odd smell in the case of a wiring problem may be outlets, the electrical panel, appliances or along a baseboard. If you observe any of these signs, be sure to shut off the corresponding circuit and get assistance.

It’s important to take potential electrical problems seriously since they can cause considerable damage when ignored. If you see any of these warning signs or suspect a problem, contact your electrician.