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Three Crucial Safety Tips to Think about When Handling Electrical Repairs

A good portion of electrical accidents happens during routine electrical repairs. The accidents often lead to injuries and damage to electrical appliances and the home. Safety is, therefore, one of the critical things you need to think about when setting out to do any electrical repairs. While it is true that the rules of electrical operations can be complicated, there are fundamental concepts that will help you avoid mishaps. Here are the three basic safety practices to always have in mind when handling electrical repairs. 

Test for Power

One of the mistakes that people do when handling electrical repairs is assuming that because they have turned off a switch or because a part of the circuit is broken, there is no current flowing through it. The reality is that sometimes the current leaks and touching naked wires while trying to repair them could lead to electrical shock. It is advisable to always use a tester on all electrical cables and gadgets to ensure that no current flows through them before you start the repair operation. You also need to think about poorly labelled circuit breakers because sometimes they give you the wrong idea about the state of current control in the circuit.

Be Careful about Amperage Ratings

Another thing that you need to think carefully about when dealing with electrical repairs and replacement is the amperage ratings on the gadgets and other tools and appliances. Typically, household circuits have a 15 or 20 amp rating. However, power-intensive appliances such as dryers could be rated as high as 50 amps. The problem with electrical repairs and amperage comes in when there is a mismatch between the amperage rating for the circuit and the parts installed. If, for instance, you have a 20 amp circuit, and you install 15 amp wiring, you are creating a huge fire hazard in the home.

Securing the Wiring Connections

Another mistake that you may make when dealing with electrical repairs is that they focus too much on whether the system will work, they forget about basics such as tight wiring connections. When you leave loose wiring at specific points along your circuit, you are encouraging the possibility of arcing, which can lead to fires.

These are basic safety rules that can enhance the success of your electrical repair job. It is advisable to always think about consulting a competent electrician for all your electrical installations. As long as you have the help of a professional electrician like one at Smart-Safe Electrical Services, you can rest assured of safe and effective electrical repairs. 


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