Top 10 Signs You Need A Professional Electrician
The key to maintaining an electrically safe premises is remaining vigilant. Keeping track of your electrical systems and appliances means you can recognise warning signs early on is the best way to keep your home or business safe.
There are various things that can go wrong with your electrical systems and appliances, which can put you in jeopardy. Electrical issues can lead to electrical fires, injuries and even fatalities if not properly addressed, which is why working with a professional electrician is essential.
As a premier electrical company, SCV Electrical understands the importance of electrical safety and works to instill this in all of our clients. We work to deliver the safest installation and maintenance services possible and can offer ongoing care to ensure your home or business is functioning securely.
With our experience and skills, we know the signs of electrical issues and can help you remain on top of your safety. In this post, we are sharing the 10 electrical issues that indicate it is time to call a professional electrician so you can act fast.
1) Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
Signs To Look For:
- Breakers that trip often, especially when using smaller everyday appliances such as kettles, microwaves and vacuum cleaners
- Power cuts in certain rooms or circuits after plugging in multiple devices
These days, we rely on many devices throughout the day for everything from cleaning to work and entertainment. The more devices we have, the more pressure is put on our electrical systems, which can lead to frequent circuit breaker trips.
If you notice the above issues, it is time to call a professional electrician, as this could lead to deeper electrical issues throughout the home. Usually, when a circuit trips this means the system is overloaded and cannot handle the output required.
In some cases, however, circuit breaks can indicate a fault within your electrical system, which may lead to bigger issues if left unattended. A professional electrician will be able to assess the circuits for you and repair any damage to keep your premises safe.
2) Flickering Or Dimming Lights
Signs To Look For:
- Lights that dim when you use high-powered appliances, such as washing machines or heating
- Lights that flicker intermittently or in certain areas
Dimming or flickering lights in specific areas across the home can indicate that your current wiring system cannot handle modern lighting appliances. Flickering and dimming may also be caused by loose connections or overloaded circuits, which eventually lead to complete burnout if not repaired by a professional electrician.
Fluctuating power can cause more damage to your electrical system over time, as well as to other lights and appliances. Other appliances will be unsafe to use in these areas as it is clear the wiring is not sufficient.
A professional electrician will assess your current wiring system to highlight any issues and determine the best course of action. In some cases, repairs can be done, but others may require a complete rewiring.
3) Burning Smell Or Scorched Outlets
Signs To Look For:
- A faint burning smell near outlets or breaker boxes
- Brown marks or discoloration around plug sockets
Scortech outlets often indicate that the system is overheating, which can be incredibly dangerous. These issues can lead to electrical fires, meaning you need to seek the support of a professional electrician as soon as possible.
Overheated wires and electrical sockets are often caused by loose wiring or faulty connections, which can only be repaired by a professional. In some cases, overworked circuits can also lead to these burning issues, which is why you need to avoid plugging too many things into one socket.
As this is a serious threat, it is vital that you call a professional electrician as soon as you notice these signs. To avoid this happening in the future, rewiring and upgrades may be required to ensure your home or business can handle the needed electrical output.
4) Buzzing Noise From Sockets Or Switches
Signs To Look For:
- A humming or buzzing sound when you plug something in
- Sounds coming from switches or the fuse board
Sounds coming from the switches or fuse boards can mean you are dealing with a loose connection or faulty wiring. The buzz or hum comes from the fact that an electrical current is jumping across a gap, which may be present due to a fault in the system.
Much like when noticing a burning smell or scorch marks, you must call in a professional electrician as soon as possible with this issue. The gap within the electrical circuit could lead to arching and electrical fires and needs a professional to repair.
5) Warm Or Discoloured Wall Plates
Signs To Look For:
- Wall sockets or switches that are hot to the touch
- Yellowing, darkening, or melted patches near outlets
Warm or discoloured wall plates mean your circuit is extracting too much heat, likely because it is drawing too much power. More power may be needed to accommodate faulty wiring, which is another serious fire risk that should be inspected by a professional electrician.
A professional electrician will deliver the assessment and maintenance needed to repair faulty wiring or a full replacement if necessary.
6) Sparks Or Small Shocks
Signs To Look For:
- Small sparks which appear when plugging in or unplugging appliances
- A mild shock or tingling sensation when using certain switches or sockets
Electrical shocks are a major concern in homes and businesses as they can lead to serious injury. Sparks can lead to serious injuries while also causing electrical fires, meaning this is a serious issue that should only be addressed by a professional electrician.
Sparks or electrical shocks can indicate that there is frayed wiring present in the appliance or system. It can also be a sign that you are dealing with worn or outdated electrical components, and these need to be updated to support your current electrical needs.
7) Old Or Outdated Wiring
Signs To Look For:
- Rubber, lead or cloth-insulated wiring
- Fuses boxes in place of modern consumer units, which come with RSD protection
These signs are common in homes which are 30 years old or more, as they typically have the original electrical installations in place. Dealing with old or outdated wiring can be very dangerous and a professional electrician is required to perform a complete rewiring of your home or business.
Older systems, which have these signs, were not made for the modern electrical demands and cannot support the use of appliances, tools and other systems we require. This means they are more subject to overloading and overheating, causing issues mentioned in this list, such as sparks, hot switches, and circuit breaks.
If you are moving into a new home or currently reside in a premies that is over 30 years old, hire a professional electrician to perform a complete inspirection and rewiring, if required.
8) Too Many Extension Cables Or Overloaded Sockets
Signs To Look For:
- Rooms with multiple power strips or daisy-chained extension cables
- Sockets that are always fully in use, especially in older properties with limited outlets
To power your modern routine, you may be relying on extension cables to ensure you can plug in multiple devices at once. Many older homes do not have a lot of space for electrical appliances, nor do they have enough outlets to support all your tools and devices, leading to a reliance on extension cables and cubes.
While this may seem like a practical solution to managing your home or business, it is actually incredibly dangerous. Overloading circuits can lead to trips, power outages and even electrical fires when left to overheat, meaning this is not a viable long-term solution.
If you find that you are dealing with too many extension cables across your home or business, it is likely that your whole system needs an upgrade. A certified, professional electrician is the only one who can deliver the necessary rewiring and provide safe options for you.
9) Light Bulbs Burning Out Quickly
Signs To Look For:
- Constantly replacing bulbs, especially in the same fixtures
- Bulbs that pop, flicker or die quickly in specific lighting set-ups
If you find that your bulbs are burning out quickly or do not provide sufficient lighting even when they have just been replaced, you may be dealing with voltage fluctuations across your premises. These are often caused by poor connections, especially if you are noticing the same issues time and time again.
In some cases, it could be an easily resolved issue, as you may just be using bulbs with the wrong wattage. However, in most cases,this is a sign that you need to call in a professional electrician to assess your lighting systems and ensure they are performing optimally.
Not only does constantly replacing lightbulbs become expensive, but it can lead to other issues if the electrical circuit is not repaired.
10) You’re Planning A Renovation
Applies To:
- Home extensions, kitchen renovations, or loft/garage conversions
- Installing some new appliances to the home, such as EV chargers, hot tubs or commercial grade appliances
It is recommended to work with a professional electrician during any home or business upgrades, whether this is a complete renovation or the installation of new devices. This is to ensure that your current system can handle the extra demand and provide the updates necessary to support this.
Working with a professional electrician during renovations is also a good way to ensure that all work is done safely and within current regulations. Electicans can perform inspections and tests to ensure your home or business is safe, as per the current guidelines.
By hiring a professional electrician during the renovation, you are saving yourself time, hassle and money by actively preventing electrical issues in the future.
Looking For A Professional Electrician in Winchester?
SCV Electrical is a leading team of domestic and commercial electricians in London. We serve clients across London and Winchester, offering reliable services to keep you safe and powered.
We offer a comprehensive range of electrical services to homes and businesses across the area and can help identify any issues you may be having. If you notice any of the signs in this blog post, please contact the team today to get an immediate response.
We are here to help and create safe environments for everyone.
