Electricity plays an important role in American homes, offices, and industrial complexes. As beneficial as it is, it can also wreak havoc when mishandled. It’s why electrical wires are well-encased, insulated, and kept off the ground as much as possible.
Due to the possible dangers of electricity, it’s always advisable to seek the assistance of an electrician should an issue arise. However, issues require different levels of attention. Some are urgent, while others can wait. How do you tell the difference?
Here are the electrical situations that are urgent and require an emergency electrician:
Electrical Fire
Electrical fires are commonly caused by circuit overload, poorly grounded sockets, and old, worn-out sockets. The first signs of an electrical fire are sparks. Should the spark production prolong, it’s likely to develop into a fire.
An electrical fire requires an emergency electrician since it can spread and cause property damage. It could also injure you.
As soon as an electrical fire breaks out, call emergency electricians Woodstock CT. Independently handling electrical fires is dangerous. Refrain from using water to extinguish electrical fires. Using water can result in shocks and electrocution. Instead of water, use a carbon dioxide or ABE fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
Burning Smell
An electrical burning smell is possibly caused by a short circuit. It happens when there’s a voltage overload on a wire. And it’s caused by circuit overflow and overheated appliances.
You’ll know it’s an electrical burning smell if you inhale a bad odor in your home, almost like burning plastic. A burning smell requires an emergency electrician since it can escalate into a fire.
As you wait for the services of home electrical contractors Woodstock CT, locate the source of the odor. If it’s a socket, unplug any electrical appliance and turn off the main electricity switch. Also, remove any flammable items nearby.
Buzzing Circuit Breaker Panel
The circuit breaker panel hosts several circuit breakers, which protect the electric circuit from damage by excess current. The buzzing of a circuit breaker panel is often caused by loose, damaged wire or a circuit breaker.
It’s crucial to note that this panel sometimes buzzes, even when working efficiently. The question is, how loud is the buzzing sound? A loud buzzing sound that spreads across the room or house is the sign you want to look out for. It’s a sign you need to replace the breaker.
A buzzing noise calls for an emergency electrician since it could lead to fire, especially if the source is one circuit breaker. The circuit breaker should trip when there’s excessive electricity flow. Nonetheless, when it doesn’t, it causes overheating, which will likely cause a fire.
It’s best not to interfere with the circuit breaker panel until your electrician arrives. Wrongful touching can cause more damage than what already exists.
Fallen Overhead Power Lines
Overhead power lines transmit electrical energy across long distances. These have many electrical wires and carry high amounts of electricity.
In most cases, extreme weather causes power lines to fall. A tree could fall on the lines during a storm or hurricane.
Fallen overhead power lines require the attention of an emergency electrician since there’s a high possibility of electrocution. Death can occur due to the large voltage involved as well.
As you wait for an emergency electrician, please do the following:
- Move as far away from the power lines as possible, at least 35-40 feet away. As you do this, it’s advisable to shuffle away instead of walking regularly.
- Don’t attempt to touch the power lines. This precaution also applies to any item or person in contact with the power line.
- Don’t touch or step on any water paddle near the area.
Taking the above precautions prevents the possibility of electrocution since there’s a chance the power lines are live.
Hot Switches
Hot switches occur due to overloaded circuits, overheating appliances, and poor wiring. They’re characterized by being hot to the touch. In extreme cases, the hot switch will have smoke or a black stain on its surface.
In most cases, hot switches don’t call for an emergency electrician. Yet if the switch keeps getting hotter and hotter, please make that call. It could result in a fire that damages your property.
Meanwhile, as you wait for assistance, turn off the circuit breaker associated with the switch and unplug anything from the outlet. As a future precaution, it’s best to use the right socket for your appliances, concerning voltage, to avoid overheating.
Conclusion
The discussion above has clearly detailed the situations that require an emergency electrician. The details entail the cause, signs, and what to do while waiting for assistance.
