7 warning signs your house wiring needs checking

Electrical faults are one of the main causes of house fires, and most of them give warning signs first. If you notice any of these, take them seriously.

The warning signs

• The breaker trips often or the fuse keeps blowing. This means the circuit is overloaded or has a fault.
• Lights flicker or dim when an appliance such as an AC or iron turns on.
• A burning smell near a switch, socket or the distribution board.
• Warm or discoloured switches and sockets. Black marks or melted plastic are a serious warning.
• Buzzing, crackling or sparking when you switch something on.
• Small electric shocks or tingling when you touch an appliance. This can mean a missing or poor earth connection.
• Old or damaged wires. Cracked insulation, loose connections or extension boards running many heavy appliances at once.

What to do

Switch off the affected circuit at the main board and stop using that socket or switch. Do not cover a fault with tape, and do not keep resetting a breaker that trips again and again. Have a qualified electrician inspect it.

Heavy appliances need the right wiring

ACs, geysers and ovens draw a lot of power. They should have wire of the correct thickness and a breaker of the right size. If you are adding a new AC or geyser to an older house, ask for the wiring to be checked first.

Intercool Services offers house wiring work and electrical checks across Lahore. Book a visit and we will tell you what needs fixing.