What Does Electrical Maintenance Include?
Every home connected to the electrical grid requires proper electrical preventive and maintenance work. The good news is you don’t have to do the maintenance work. You can hire an electrician to examine and perform repairs, making sure everything is in tip-top shape.
Still, it’s essential to know the steps that take place during electrical maintenance. Such knowledge can come in handy when the electrician is out of reach and you have an issue to handle. Below are four steps for comprehensive electrical maintenance.
1. Safety Always Comes First
Every electrician will tell you that no maintenance work can begin without taking proper safety measures. So, keep this in mind when dealing with any electrical work at home. It doesn’t matter if it’s a repair or a preventive measure. Always ensure you turn off currents when necessary and dress appropriately.
For instance, if an electrical device is faulty or starts producing some sparks, the first step is to unplug the appliance from the power socket. In fact, you need to unplug it immediately after you notice there’s a problem. Waiting just one more second could make the issue become worse, damaging the item beyond repair.
Additionally, remember never to mix water and electricity. Therefore, never handle electrical devices with wet hands or place them on a wet surface when it’s connected to an electrical current. You pose a high risk of getting hurt or electrocuting others. Also, avoid using any metal tool when working on a device that’s connected to electrical power.
Lastly, dress in the proper attire. Use gloves to protect yourself, and make sure you wear shoes with a rubber sole. In case there are any children around, keep them away from your work area. The risk of an accident happening is too high to perform electrical maintenance with kids around.
2. Take Caution When Using Electricity
How many plugs do you have on one socket? Frankly, most issues involving electrical appliances start with an overloaded socket. Overloading leads to short-circuiting and even sparking risks. Therefore, don’t plug too many devices into one socket. If possible, have a socket for each device and unplug them when they’re not in use.
At the same time, be careful about where you place the electrical devices in your home. It’s better to keep them in high and dry areas where kids and pets can’t gain access to them easily. Moreover, choose a place away from drafts or vents where moisture can drip on them which can cause electrical faults.
Admittedly, you will find some devices like hot showerheads in the wet areas of your residence. Such devices need grounding, which is something your electrician must handle while doing the installation. That way, if there’s ever an issue, the circuit will break, preventing any harm or loss of life due to electrocution.
To use electricity the right way, make sure all the electrical cords have a covering. You can even install cable covering that’s mounted on the wall. These cable coverings will keep electric cables out of reach, which helps you maintain the proper décor of the house.
3. Correct Plugs for Right Outlets
If a specific plug doesn’t fit into the outlet, refrain from damaging any of them by forcing them to fit. Instead, find an adaptor that fits both the device plug and the wall outlet.
Additionally, watch out for any loose connections when you plug in a device. Check to see if the issue is the plug or the outlet and replace it immediately.
Moreover, unplug all electrical devices and extensions when you leave the house. In case you need to leave a device running, like the AC, take extra care by installing a surge protector. It ensures the device only runs when there’s no fault in the electrical current.
4. Call an Electrician
Electricity is dangerous, and it’s better to call in a professional to do check-ups or maintenance work. Avoid conducting any repairs because the risk is high when handling electricity and electrical devices. One wrong move and you can cause a fire or experience electrocution.
All you need to do is turn off the main switch in case of an electrical fault and unplug the device. Then, call an electrician immediately.
Summing up
Electrical maintenance includes preventive measures to keep everyone safe when using electricity at home. Always take caution when handling electrical devices and call a professional when you notice any issue.
Our electricians at Expert Air Control are ready to come to your home and take care of any electrical issues you might be facing. We can also put specific measures in place to protect your Puyallup, WA, home from electrical fires and damages.
Our firm also offers other varied services, including duct cleaning, gas piping, electrical installation, preventive maintenance, and air quality services. Contact us today if you notice any issue with your electrical devices or connection.
