Causes of Electric Fires
What Are the Causes of Household Electric Fires?
Electricity has invaded our lives to the extent that we cannot imagine our life without it. Keeping our home free from electrical hazards is very crucial, as we hear about electrical fire accidents almost every day. But, we do not know which are the causes of electric fires. For this, read below.
Avoiding even the smallest electrical problem can prove to be the biggest threat to your life. Let’s find out what are the most common causes of electrical fires:
1. Old and faulty sockets and appliances
Old damaged and worn appliances do not meet modern safety standards. Worn wires, old electrical outlets are the main causes of fires. Frayed threads can transmit heat to natural combustible objects such as curtains and rugs. Removing one prong from the three-prong cable can also cause a fire.
2. Lighting fixtures
Installing the high-power light or light bulb in the socket designed for the low-power light bulb is another thing that can cause a fire. Always use the recommended bulb wattage for the sockets.
3. Too many equipment plugged into the extension cable
The extension cable must never be used permanently. Plugging too many appliances into one cord overloads that outlet and creates electrical fire hazards. So if you need more than just electrical outlets, have them installed by an electrician.
4. Incorrect placement of portable heaters
Many homeowners keep their heaters very close to combustible objects such as near curtains, bedsheets, clothes, etc. The use of a radiator is on the safer side because it spreads the heat from the entire surface of the appliance.
5. Old wiring
This is the most common cause of fires. Over time, the wiring also fails. Even the wiring capacity is not sufficient to manage modern high-power appliances such as large televisions, microwaves, air conditioners, etc.
Upgrading the wiring system that has been used for more than 20 years is the best solution to this problem. As a homeowner, you should never miss any signs that could indicate potential fire problems.
The signs of an electrical fire you should always watch out for are:
The switch continues to trip: the intervention of the automatic switch is a safety function. It prevents the circuit from overheating and thus prevents domestic fires.
If your switch trips frequently, it means that either your appliances are absorbing too much energy or there is a short circuit somewhere. Do not keep pressing the switch to start the current in the circuit, but call an electrician to find and solve the problem.
Discoloured or burnt sockets and switches: loose connections can cause an arc and a spark that can cause a fire. Sockets when they can’t tolerate heat start to melt. A burnt or blackened socket must be replaced immediately.
Burnt smell: when you smell a burnt smell, but you are unable to identify the source of the smell, it is very likely that the cause is a short circuit.
Call a Bolton Electrician Emergency Service professional to have your electrical system checked. So if you need an electrical inspection or maintenance for your electrical system, please contact us. We are at your complete disposal. 24 hours non-stop, even during holidays and the month of August.
Call now 0120918005