Most Common Electrical Circuit Problems Homeowners Face
Nothing signals achieving the American dream quite like owning your own home. That’s the overarching consensus of nearly 66% of Americans who own a home. Of course, it is easy to see why so many share this sentiment.
In addition to a sense of belonging, the freedom to personalize your living spaces in whatever way you like, and being an undeniable marker of success, owning a home provides considerable control over monthly housing payments and the opportunity to build equity. And it does not end there.
Homeowners can take advantage of home value appreciation and tax benefits. And since it allows homeowners to build a lasting legacy of financial stability by handing down their home and any accumulated equity to future generations, homeownership can create a pathway to generational wealth. But that’s not to say homeownership is all sunshine and rainbows. There are downsides, one of which has to do with repairs.
Owning a home means being solely responsible for maintenance and any needed repairs. That includes electrical repairs, which studies show can set homeowners back anywhere from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars in repair costs.
How Common Are Electrical Problems in Residential Homes?
From luxury homes to affordable fixer-uppers, most homes experience electrical problems from time to time. That’s according to several studies, including one published by the U.S. Census Bureau. It revealed that approximately 33.9 million U.S households experienced electrical problems that resulted in a blackout or a complete power outage lasting from just a few minutes to several hours in 2022.
The vast majority of power outages in residential homes today are weather-related. According to Climate Central, a nonprofit news organization that analyzes and reports on climate science, roughly 83% of reported power outages in the U.S. between 2000 and 2021 were attributed to weather-related events, with the primary contributors being high winds, rain, and thunderstorms. Human error and equipment failures, especially those involving electrical circuit problems, accounted for the remainder.
What Are the Three Most Common Circuit Problems in Residential Homes?
Electrical circuit problems can cause power outages and even fires. According to an Electrical Safety Foundation study, home electrical circuit problems cause an estimated 51,000 fires, nearly 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and approximately $1.3 billion in property damage annually. The following are three of the most common causes of electrical circuit problems that often result in residential power outages or, in some cases, fires:
1. Short circuits – A short circuit refers to an electrical problem where a current finds an unintended, low-resistance path and bypasses the component or device it should be powering. Consequences of a short circuit can range from minor to major.
Minor ones typically include flickering lights, buzzing or popping noises, burning odors, sparking electrical outlets, and scorch marks or discoloration around outlets or switches. Tripped circuit breakers and blown fuses are also considered minor 
consequences.
Major ones, meanwhile, include fires, explosions, damaged electrical components, and power outages. The most common causes of short circuits in residential homes include damaged or bad wiring, loose connections, malfunctioning appliances, and environmental hazards.
2. Corroded connections – Oxidation or rust on metal electrical contacts caused by exposure to chemicals, moisture, or external elements can corrode connections. When this happens, it can interfere with the natural flow of electricity and adversely affect electrical performance.
This combination can damage appliances and electronics in the home, increase energy consumption, trigger power outages, and even cause fires. The most common signs of corroded connections include warm outlets and a burning smell. Flickering or dimming lights and circuit breakers that frequently trip are also associated with corroded connections.
3. Overloaded circuits – Electrical circuit problems can sometimes occur when circuits are overloaded. Circuit overload is an electrical problem that occurs when the electricity demand exceeds the capacity of a given circuit. Overloaded circuits can arise from having too many appliances or electronic devices plugged into a single outlet or power strip.
Appliances that draw too much power for the circuit’s capacity. These typically include high-wattage appliances, such as air conditioners, electric heaters, washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens. Generally speaking, appliances and other devices that use 1,800 watts or more can increase the risk of circuit overload.
The most common signs of overloaded circuits include tripped circuit breakers, buzzing or humming sounds, and warm or discolored outlets. Overloaded circuits can also trigger flickering or dimming lights and a burning smell.
What You Should Do Before Calling an Electrician
In most cases, hiring a licensed electrician is the only way to resolve electrical circuit problems. However, homeowners can correct some issues by themselves. Bearing that in mind, one of the first things homeowners should do before calling an electrician is to check if the items plugged into a particular outlet are in good working order, which is just a matter of plugging them into other outlets in the home.
A failing device can make it seem like you have an electrical system when the issue is the device itself, say nearly all licensed electricians. Resetting tripped circuit breakers is also something homeowners should do before calling an electrician. Sometimes, weather conditions or overloaded circuits can trip circuit breakers and cause specific outlets or the entire home to lose power.
Resetting tripped breakers is a quick and easy way to restore power. Of course, if circuit breakers continue to trip, you should contact an electrician. The same applies if you determine that your home’s electrical problems have nothing to do with adverse weather conditions or malfunctioning devices or appliances.
To learn more about the most common electrical circuit problems or to schedule a service call, contact Mister Sparky, a leading electrical services company in the Tampa Bay area, today.
