Electrical sockets are the power source for all your home’s electronic devices and appliances. Everything from your cell phone charger to your refrigerator relies on the socket, also referred to as an outlet, to connect your device to your home’s electrical grid. Unfortunately, as is the case with any type of home system, these sockets may stop working.
There are five key reasons an electrical outlet may stop working. Understanding the different reasons can help you select the best next step to take. You will know when to call an electrician for help and can give them a better idea of what’s happening when they show up to restore power to your home.
1. Worn & Loose Outlets
Socket connections on the inside of an outlet are supposed to hold a plug tightly. The plug should not snag or slip out when you plug something in. If any part of the metal prong is showing, then the outlet is too loose. Not only will the outlet not function correctly, but you may run into issues where the outlet sparks and creates a potential fire hazard. If you have outlets that are used often, they can experience normal wear and tear over time. This is especially true for outlets that have items plugged and unplugged on a regular basis. Examples include a kitchen outlet where you plug small appliances in. A bathroom outlet may experience similar issues when items like hair dryers are constantly plugged in and unplugged from the outlet.
The best fix for this is a new outlet replacement. An electrician can install a new outlet that will not leave you dealing with loose connections. You also have the option to upgrade the outlets to newer models and designs. For example, you could choose to have an outlet installed that features standard three-prong outlets and USB outlets built into the design. If you have young children in the home, you could replace the outlet with a childproof design that helps prevent accidental electric shocks.
2. Tripped Circuit Breakers
In many cases, a tripping circuit breaker is a temporary issue caused by a sudden surge of power due to too many items being in use in a small area of your home. If a circuit breaker continues to trip from the same outlet, then you probably need an electrician to inspect the situation. Depending on the reason for the issues, an electrician can either replace the faulty breaker or recommend upgrading your home’s electrical panel.
3. Circuit Breaker Issues
When a circuit breaker trips, the problem may lie within the circuit breaker itself. Worn and faulty wiring could result in circuit breaker issues for multiple rooms of the home. Circuit breaker upgrades could make a dramatic difference in your home. A complete inspection of your home’s electrical system by an electrician can help detect these issues. Along with wire replacements, an electrician can evaluate the current split of your circuit breaker.
For example, a kitchen circuit breaker may have too much power drawn from the same breaker. By splitting it off into two breakers, the power distribution becomes more even, and you will not run into any power issues when trying to use kitchen appliances like mixers, blenders, or air fryers. If you believe the power issues come from the circuit breaker, you should not attempt any of these repairs on your home. An electrician has the knowledge and experience to deal with these issues and prevent problems in the future.
4. GFCI Outlet Test Issues
In many areas of your home with water sources, you will notice the presence of GFCI outlets. These GFCI outlets are known as ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. They have technology built into them to prevent electrical shock when any devices accidentally make contact with water and cause an electric shock.
You can immediately spot a GFCI outlet from the two buttons placed in the center of the outlet. The buttons will have the labels “Test” and “Reset”. While typically used to test GFCI technology, the outlet will not work if the test button is pressed and left that way. If you find the outlet is not working, then unplug everything from the outlet and press the “Reset” button. Then, plug something back into the outlet and see if it works. If the plugged-in object still does not work, you may have a faulty GFCI outlet that needs replacement. An electrician can install a new outlet and ensure the GFCI functions work correctly.
5. Faulty or Damaged Wires
Between the outlets and your home’s circuit box lies a maze of wires between walls and ceilings. Old age, everyday wear, or interference from critters like mice can all create issues with those wires. Faulty or damaged wires may cause an outlet to work incorrectly. You may notice an outlet doesn’t work or seems weaker than usual. You may notice power flickers on and off from the outlet. All of these issues are signs of faulty or damaged wires.
The damaged wires could create a fire hazard, so you do not want to take any chances if you see any of these issues occur. Ideally, you should stop using the faulty outlets until an electrician has inspected and repaired the area. Repairs will not only help your outlets work again, but they can also help prevent any significant safety issues within your home. An electrician can run tests on the outlets and access specific areas where wires are not working correctly.
Professional Electrical Services in Lake Havasu City
At Air Control Home Services, we have years of electrical service, and we should be your first call when electric outlets stop working in your Lake Havasu City home. You do not want to ignore problems that could create even bigger issues. We have experience in many areas of electrical repair, including whole-home rewiring, electrical panel repairs, and lighting installation.
Along with electrical services, we offer a wide range of other services for the home. Our air quality services include duct sealing or installing an air purifier. We also provide air conditioning repairs and installation. These services include the installation of ductless AC units and smart thermostats. We also offer a broad range of plumbing services, including drain cleaning, tankless water heater installations, and bathroom plumbing upgrades.
To schedule an appointment for any of these services, contact us by phone or by going to Air Control Home Services ‘s website and completing our service request form online!
