How Faulty Outlets Increase the Risk of Electrical Fire
When you think about the common causes of house fires, you likely think about fires caused by failing to turn your stove off or cooking with grease. While these are both common fire hazards, you might not think about the possibility of an electrical outlet causing a house fire. It’s important to understand the fire risks from faulty outlets and the steps to take to prevent them from happening.
Issues that Can Increase the Risk of Outlet-Related Fires
Overloaded Outlets
Electrical circuits balance voltage and resistance to manage a specific amount of electrical current. When you plug too many cords into an outlet, the electricity demands of your appliances and electronics can cause too much electricity to flow through the circuit and outlet.
An overloaded circuit can cause overheating that can burn the internal wiring and spark an outlet fire. While circuit breakers and fuses interrupt the flow of electricity when a circuit is overloaded, consistent overloading can lead the internal wiring to break down and could eventually cause a fire.
If you don’t have enough outlets for all of your appliances and electronics, you should speak to the professionals at Mister Sparky about adding outlets and upgrading your electrical infrastructure to meet your energy demands.
Old Outlets
If you have an older home and haven’t updated its electrical infrastructure recently, its outlets might not be able to handle the higher power demands of today’s electronics and appliances. As a result, your older outlets can overheat and cause a fire.
If your breaker box is also outdated, its circuit breakers and fuses may fail to trip when an outlet overheats. This can cause short-circuiting and a possible fire.
Cracked Outlet Cover Plates
The cover plates to your outlets can become damaged over time. While a crack or broken corner might not seem like something to prioritize, even small cracks can allow debris and dirt to seep inside.
Accumulated dirt can act as an insulator and cause overheating. Cracked covers can expose internal wiring. Both of these problems can lead to short-circuiting and a potential fire.
Loose Outlets
If you’ve noticed that your cords fall out of an outlet, it is loose. Outlets that move inside your wall can cause the connections to loosen. This can lead to sparking and short-circuiting. Loose sockets can cause heat to build up and ignite the wood framing and insulation.
Fires that begin with the insulation and wood framing inside of your wals are particularly dangerous because they are initially hidden. You might not notice smoke until the fire has already spread.
Exposed or Frayed Wiring
If the wiring behind your outlet cover is frayed or exposed, this can disrupt the flow of electricity through the circuit. Exposed or frayed wiring also places you at risk of electric shock, and it can also cause overheating and electrical fires.
Signs an Outlet is Faulty
If you notice any of the following signs, your outlet may be faulty:
- Discolorations or scorch marks
- Heat emanating from the outlet
- Popping noises or sparks coming from the outlet
- Wobbly or loose outlet
- Frequently tripping breakers
- Non-working outlet
- Flickering or dimming lights when you plug something in
- Electrical shocks from the outlet
What to Do to Reduce Your Risk
Follow these tips to reduce your risk of an outlet-related fire:
- Never overload an outlet by using extension cords or plugging in multiple devices
- Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) wherever water is present (i.e. bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas)
- Watch for heat, burning smells, scorch marks, and sparks
- Check your outlets for discoloration or cracks
- Turn off the power to an outlet that’s faulty
- Call an electrician at Mister Sparky if you have faulty outlets
Contact Our Experienced Electricians
If you have faulty outlets or simply don’t have enough to support your modern appliances, it’s time to call an electrician. When you’re deciding who to call, don’t put up with any malarkey – call Mister Sparky!
Our trusted professionals respond promptly to Niceville residents and can quickly diagnose the issue. They will explain what is necessary to repair your outlets and reduce your risk of an electrical fire.
