Suddenly it's A power cut and you don’t know how it happened, leave alone what to do? It must have happened even before but you could notice the signs! Maybe you were using too many appliances at one point of time? Slowly and gradually the wires started burning and there was an electrical storm, or you had suddenly faced some faulty wiring. Whatever it was, we are sure it’s happened at least once to you, and it’s pretty frustrating, right? A circuit breaker controls everything on the circuit inside the electrical panel. From appliances to light fixtures, home necessities to entertainment, and especially your communication including wifi and the devices that need charging. However, just like electronic gadgets,  circuit breakers can go bad.  If you can catch this early, it may not be so expensive to handle later. 

Most of the time we find the electrical panel, and reset the circuit breaker. It trips again once a high-voltage appliance is switched on. What are you supposed to do now? At this point, you need to identify the root cause of the problem and this can be done by a professional technical services handyman.

First, it’s best to understand what breakers are for? Their job is to limit the amount of current flowing on a circuit so that it doesn’t exceed the level. It is measured in Amps. Breakers trip if too much energy flows through a circuit. Breakers are very durable, so there are fewer chances of circuit tripping, but if you don’t see some common issues then you definitely consult an electrician or a handyman.

Detect these signs and get your circuit repaired before it breaks:

1. Flickering Lights We have often noticed, while we are busy working, lights flicker in between for a few seconds and then back to normal.  These can be annoying or amusing, but, in reality, they are a warning that there is something wrong with the circuit. This could be the wiring at the light bulb or switch, but it could also be the circuit breaker. You need to get it checked.
2. Reduced Performance   If you’ve ever experienced issues with your electrical appliance, then you’ve probably got a bad circuit breaker.  It could be your washing machine turning off mid-cycle, or your the oven failing to heat up properly, as it may be flickering on and off.  Even one appliance issue has the potential to create a problem for the appliance. If it happens to more than one appliance then it’s probably your circuit breaker.
3. Regular Bulb Replacement   Light bulbs usually last longer compared to tube lights. If you’ve started replacing yours every few weeks then they are probably burning out. This may also be because they are overrated for the particular fixture. But, it is more likely that you have an issue with your circuit breaker.  You need to get this sorted quickly as a failing circuit breaker or bad wiring can increase the risk of a fire. Not only will this damage your home, but it will also lower its property value.
4. Burning Smell   If you’ve noticed an electrical burning/ light or socket smell then you need a professional electrician’s help to identify the problem from its root and get the issue resolved.  One of the most common causes is a faulty circuit breaker, but you’ll need to have this verified with a professional and check the wiring before you change your breaker.
5. Signs Of Damage A bad circuit breaker can cause an irregular power flow to sockets. This means plugs can overheat. The most likely cause is electrical wires melting and shorting as the breaker is failing to shut off the power. In short, the circuit breaker and the socket, as well as the wiring will need to be looked at immediately to avoid a potential fire hazard.
6. Tripping Breakers If your breakers are constantly tripping you are either overloading the circuits, have a bad appliance, or an issue with your circuit breakers. The alternative is that the breaker trips but you can’t get it to stay in the ON position. And every time you try it clicks back off. You should unplug everything on the circuit to confirm it’s a problem with the breaker and not an appliance. As with anything electrical, the sooner you get it checked the better. Leaving bad electrical unrepaired will increase the likelihood of fire and the loss of all your possessions.

There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there regarding what we’re allowed to do ourselves and what has to be left to a professional. Nevertheless, owing to carelessness or a lack of knowledge, more money may have to be shelled out later to put things right and, more seriously, it can lead to injury, which can be fatal.

We advise getting a professional electrician onboard to inspect and ensure the safety of you and your family, and point out any potential damages. Through an electrical inspection, a team of experts will be able to thoroughly inspect any electrical issues that you may be having in your home and are not aware of.

This way, you will be able to prevent future damages and costly repairs, because professionals will be able to fix any issues with your home’s electrical system right then and there. 

What do Knox Professional Services include?

• Repair or replacement of light fittings
• Replacement of burnt out power sockets
• Identification and rectification of loose electrical connections
• Identification of overloaded circuits and rectification in order to prevent overheating
• Identification and replacement of corroded wires or cables
   

So, leave it to the experts, and that’s where we come in. KNOX only uses highly experienced electricians for this highly specialized skill. Your safety is important to us.