Common Mistakes in Electrical Work

Electrical mistakes are common in each and every house that may be dangerous for residents. When you are designing your dream home it may be that you are not aware about the electrical mistakes and its effects. When you start living in the home and experience the electric faults that will be panic for you. You can experience these problems because of faulty electrical work, unskilled electrician or low quality electrical material. Sometime, electricians do not work properly while running wires, drilling holes and nailing up boxes to save time or sometimes it happens accidentally. These are some common mistakes that happen often. These mistakes may be safety hazard and can cause electrical fires. Here are discussed some common electrical problems that can be harmful for residents.

1) Load of wire:

At the time of installation of electric wires, it should be ensured that wires and fuse breaker should be according to the load, bear by wires. If 15 amps wire is installed and 20 amps fuse or circuit breaker is installed. And the load is greater than 15 amps, fuse can bear the load but 15 amps wire can not bear the load and it may burn or can cause an accident. So load of fuse should not be greater than wire load.

2) Installation of wire in electric box

Wires should be at least 30 mm far away from the electric box or wooden frame so that the wire insulation not cut or punched at the time of nailing. Wires should be installed carefully otherwise it may cause electric shock or short circuiting.

3) Continuous Fuse breakage

Sometimes you can have a problem of fuse breakage frequently. This problem can be continues after you reset the fuse. Do not replace fuse continuously, find out the reason for that problem. It may be possible that you replace a fuse of heavy load; in that case wire may heat up and cause fire. Problem may be circuit wiring or any major fault. Call a skilled electrician to find out the problem and fix it as soon as possible.

4) Overloading Outlets

Sometimes we make a mistake of using multi outlet circuit extender for heavy load appliances. We are using this multi outlet circuit extender for refrigerator, dishwasher, window air conditioner all have heavy load and need their own circuit. The only problem is that the circuit can handle only one heavy load appliance. If refrigerator and dish washer is used on same circuit, load will be too much and the breaker will trip. That may affect electrical appliance and cost you a lot.

5) Loose wire connection

Loose wire connection to electrical wire can be seen in many houses that may cause electrical fire or electric shock. Sometime electrician wrap wire around the conductor for connection that is insecure for residents because it can cause electrical fire. To avoid accidents make sure that the connection of wires are proper.

6) Length of wire in connection box

It is important to install standard length wire in the junction box. Have 150 mm wire in box to make proper connection. You need enough wire to strip, connect and fold wires in box. If you do not have enough wire to strip then you don’t have to stretch the wires to connect them. Too much wire should not be left in junction box that may damage the wire. Proper length of wire is most important for safe electrical fitting.

7) Loose connections in panel

Check the connections in the panel and ensure that neutral and breaker connections are tight. While checking the fault it should be ensure that breakers are turn off. If any loose connection to neutral is causing problem in electricity. It may heat up the circuit and fuse can also cause problem. Loose connections that have low load capacity than breaker; will cause the circuit to heat up and trip the breaker.

8) Separate holes for separate electric lines

Avoid electric shocks in your house by installing electric lines properly. If you have different hole for different electric lines it will help you to avoid electric shocks. If it is not possible to have different hole for all electric lines than pass minimum wires from the hole. Avoid too much wire passing from a hole that may cause friction burns at the time of pulling of wire.

9) Separate box for separate line

 Low voltage and line voltage wires should be fixed in separate box. If these are installed in a single box, it may cause interference in electronics and communications. Any un-insulated wire in box having low voltage and line voltage wires can damage electronic equipment. Maintain a minimum distance of 150 mm between two parallel lines. These lines should be installed in the separate boxes or a box that has an approved divider.

10) Improper recessed lights

At the time of installing fixtures in the recess precautions should be taken to secure the insulation so that it could not affect the wire. Minimum distance between light fixture and insulation should be 75mm. If fixture is tight than there is a chance of insulation damage which may cause short circuiting?