Time For A Home Electrical Upgrade - What are the signs?

Electricity is one of the most essential utilities in your home. It makes life easier and more convenient. However, many people take it for granted, until they don’t have it. Remember the blackouts you’re not enjoying? Storms, earthquakes, and other catastrophic events are some of the reasons for the common electrical problems. But sometimes, the root cause starts from your home electrical systems. That’s why it’s best to ask the expert Cheltenham electricians.

Wondering if it’s time to upgrade your electrical systems? Sometimes, your home’s electrical system can’t keep up with your current needs due to increased electrical usage. And if left unattended, it may result in more problems, such as overloaded outlets, tripped circuit breakers, and more.
With the current work-from-home setup, more of us are plugging in appliances and electronic devices, like laptops, printers, monitors, televisions, and the like. So, it not unusual to detect signs that you need a home electrical upgrade.

Every electrical upgrade varies in complexity. Some electrical upgrades can take only a couple of hours, while others require more time. If you’re planning to upgrade your current electrical systems, understand the basics and watch out for these signs.

Your Electrical System: How It Works?

Understanding your electrical system and identifying its weak points will make it easier for you to spot the real problem. Electricity is fed into the circuit panels, distributing power to different parts of your home.

With an old circuit breaker panel, you may expect a host of problems. The circuit breakers may not have enough circuits to handle your electrical needs, or every single circuit breaker may not have sufficient capacity to operate efficiently.

When these things happen, it’s possible that that the excess heat buildup will melt your wiring’s insulation, making them more prone to tripping and causing the power to shut. These situations are inconvenient at best, and a danger at worst.

1. Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping.

Imagine this: you’ve started your morning coffee routine. You’re planning to heat up yesterday’s dinner for your breakfast, but as you turn on the microwave, everything shuts off. What an inconvenience! This happens when your circuit breaker trips.

Circuit breaker tripping is one of the most evident and common signs that you need an electrical system upgrade. To solve this problem, you only need to replace the circuit breakers. If you don’t know how to do this, you can always call the experienced Cheltenham electricians to help you out.

Whenever you have problems with circuit breakers tripping, it’s best to consult a qualified Melbourne electrician or contractor for you to assess all your options. While a simple replacement may do the job, there are instances when the problem requires more exhaustive methods.

2. The Electrical Panels, Outlets, and Switch Plates Heat Up Than Usual.

Ever noticed that your light switch or outlet are unexpectedly warm? Know that you could be facing a serious electrical problem.

Overheating should never happen in a properly designed and maintained home electrical system. Be cautious and consult a professional Cheltenham electrician immediately. Have your electrical systems checked to see if your home’s wiring is experiencing any electrical issues.

3. You Heavily Rely on Extension Cords and Power Strips.

Are there jumbles of wires under your office desk? Have you been tiptoeing across your room to avoid the extension cords all over the place? If you’re running out of wall outlets and heavily relying on power strips and extension cords to plug in your equipment, you need to assess your current electrical system.

Relying on multi-outlet power taps is not only a temporary solution, but it is also a messy one. You run the risk of overloading your main circuit, which can result in tripped breakers or even critical electrical hazards. The best solution is to let Melbourne electricians add extra outlets and upgrade the wiring and circuit breaker in your room.

4. You Can See Obvious Discolouration on Your Outlets.

One way to know if it’s time for an electrical upgrade is by checking the surface of your outlets.
Are there yellow spots or burn marks on or around them? If there are, it can mean something serious.

Often, discolouration indicates that the outlets are carrying more current than they should. It could suggest that your outlets are absorbing heat or subjected to higher temperatures. Without proper resolution from experienced Bayside electricians, outlets that continue to experience excessive heat may lead to sparking. Worse, they can be potential causes for fires.

Let the Experts Help!

Unresolved electrical problems are more than just minor inconveniences. They can significantly affect the safety of your homes and even damage your properties. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Schedule a thorough electrical check immediately.

Whether you're in Melbourne, Bayside, Cheltenham, or Bentleigh, the electricians from Bell Electrical have got you covered. To know more about our services, get in touch with us! Call us at 0411471922.