As a home or business owner, we know the safety of your home, business and family is your number one concern. We also know that when it comes to electricity, it’s better to be safe and get advice from a professional when you have questions or concerns.
One of the most common questions we get asked as electricians is, “How do you know when to replace your outlets.”
It’s time to change an outlet when the connection is too loose or there is visible damage to the outlet. If plugs can be wiggled, if they hang or slip out or if the plug falls out easily from tension on the cord, then the outlet is too loose and needs to be replaced by a licensed electrician.
There are other situations regarding outlets that can be problematic but doesn’t necessarily mean your outlet needs to be replaced.
Here are some of the most common issues people have with their outlets and what it means.
The Plug is Too Loose
Have you ever been vacuuming a room, and as soon as there is a little tension on the cord, the vacuum turns off? When you go to investigate, you find the plug hanging halfway out of the outlet. Or maybe you have an outlet that everyone avoids because nothing stays plugged in? If you do, then your outlet is too loose and needs to be replaced.
When receptacles get too loose, the outlet is worn out and needs to be replaced.
The connection between to objects needs to be tight for electricity to flow safely and correctly. If the connection is loose, the current arcs, like a welder. When electricity arcs, it creates too much heat and can melt the outlet over time.
There are safety measures built into the breakers to protect the outlets from getting too hot. This keeps the outlet from overheating and melting. But it is not fail proof. Over time, the connection will continue to loosen and may eventually melt the outlet. If the outlet fails, then anything that is wired after that outlet will quit working as well.
If you live in an older home and the wiring predates these types of safety measures, it is possible that your home is at risk. It is best to have the wiring in your home looked at to find the best solution to bring it up to current safety standards.
If you have a loose outlet, stop using it and call an electrician to replace it.
There is Visible Damage to the Outlet
If an outlet is cracked, broken or has black burn marks around the receptacle, these are signs that damage has been done to the outlet.
Although a crack in the outlet cover itself may not be an issue, there receptacles should not be cracked. Receptacles are designed to take a beating. If it is cracked then it is possible that the impact of the event that caused the crack the receptacle may have also impacted the outlet and wiring behind it. It could have loosened the connection between the outlet and the wire, which is a safety hazard. It is best to error on the side of safety and call a licensed electrician to take a look.
If there are burn marks on the outlet, this is a sign that the connection is loose and the outlet may need to be replaced. It could also be a sign of faulty wiring so it is best to have it looked at by a professional.
The Outlet Sparks
Anyone who has experienced a sparking outlet can attest how unnerving it can be. The last thing you want to see are sparks coming out of your outlets.
Luckily, a sparking outlet doesn’t necessarily mean it is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
When a device is plugged in that has a heavy load for that outlet, the outlet will spark if the plug is pulled out while the device is still running. Appliances like vacuums and hair dryers are your typical culprits.
To avoid sparking, make sure your vacuum, hair dryer or any other heavy draw appliance is turned off before you unplug it.
However, if you notice a burning smell or your outlet gets hot while in use, there are other issues going on that need to be investigated further by an electrician. Immediately shut off the device and unplug it from the wall. Discontinue using that outlet and call a licensed electrician to fix the problem.
The Breaker Keep Trips When Using An Outlet
If a circuit breaker keeps tripping when a certain outlet is being used, there are a few things that could be happening.
Like discussed above, if the connection in the outlet is loose and is producing too much heat, the circuit breaker in the panel will pop, stopping the flow of electricity to that branch circuit and everything else that is on that circuit lose power too.
A breaker can trip if there is a short in the wiring. A short can be caused by a few different things. The wiring might be too old or the outlet may be wired incorrectly.
The insulation on the wires may have deteriorated, a nail or screw may have accidentally gone through a wire.
Careless digging or gnawing from an animal like a rat or squirrel may cause damage to the wire insulation causing a short.
Either way, a short in the wiring is a cause of concern and needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
If an appliance that is plugged into the outlet has issues, it can trip the breaker. If the appliance has a defect in its wiring or the plug, it may trip the circuit breaker. If the appliance is improperly vented or is being overused and causing too much heat, that could also trip the breaker. If you are unsure what is causing the issue with the breaker for your appliance’s outlet, like a refrigerator, washer or dryer outlet, call an electrician to troubleshoot the problem.
If you are having any issues with the electricity in your home or business, its always best to call a licensed and insured electrician to do the repairs. They have the knowledge and experience to get the job done right.
We are electrical contractors in Boerne, Texas. We service Boerne, the San Antonio metropolitan area and the surrounding hill country. Call us to service all your electrical needs. We are here to help.
(830) 499-2559