Mistakes in wiring are some of the most common issues we face at home. These could lead to possible damages and accidents including electrical shocks and short circuits that could cause fires. Hence, hiring reliable electricians such as the best electrical perth team is a must to protect your home. In addition, learning what you can about these wiring issues could also help in detecting electrical errors before it worsens. Thus, here are the top 10 electrical mistakes common in homes:
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Leaving Wires Outside Electrical Boxes
Some may think that a hanging wire outside the electrical box is forgivable. However, this is totally dangerous as it might emit heat or sparks. Hence, always keep or reconnect them inside. If you’re not sure, call an expert.
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Cutting Short Wires
It’s ideal that you leave an extra inch or two when you cut your wires. It’s possible that you’re going to re-wire in the future so to avoid hassles, leave extensions.
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Neglecting the Plastic Cable
If the cables are made of plastic, you should protect them from wear and tear since they’re more prone to breakage, especially the cables inside the walls and ceilings.
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Supporting Outlets and Switches Poorly
Doing this is hazardous in every way. Not supporting these can cause movement which can lead to terminal breakage, overheating or fires.
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Wiring Outlets without Ground Wires
Never install a three-prong plug on a two-slot outlet if you don’t have ground wires available. Ground wires make sure that everything is in a correct placement. If you don’t have a tester, buy one at your nearest hardware before you tinker on your outlets.
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Adding Protective Padding on Electrical Boxes
If you directly connect these electrical boxes on combustible materials, you’re likely to start a fire. Thus, add a protective layer to their surfaces.
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Forgetting the Clamps
It’s dangerous to leave your cables without clamps. Clamps are made to secure the cables in order to avoid cuts and heat in the long run. That’s why cables should be under the clamps when you’re installing them inside an electrical box.
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Overcrowding the Electrical Box
Some of us might think that as long as the cables have clamps and extra protection, we can already overcrowd the electrical box without concerns. However, doing so can overheat the box. Plus, short-circuiting could also happen. This will not only break your wirings but also cause fires.
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Failing to Check the Neutral and Hot Wires
This issue might only appear after someone gets a shock from the wire. That’s why you need to be wary of the neutral and hot wires. Make sure that you’re not interchanging them because this can create a lethal shock which can greatly distress anyone.
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Installing the GFCI Incorrectly
Don’t mix up the lines from the ground fault circuit interrupters since these are the ones that protect you from shock. If you’re not sure how to install them, don’t hesitate to watch tutorials or call an electrician to do the work.
Although electrical problems are oftentimes a problem at home, we can manage to eliminate these by simply becoming aware of the basics. Therefore, use this as your guide to protect your home from possible electrical malfunctions in the future.