Electrical problems can be quite disruptive. Although the majority of electrical problems require professional attention, there are a few, simple problems that you can identify and fix yourself. To help save you time and money, here are some quick fixes to simple electrical problems.
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| Outlet covers are easy to replace. |
1. A loose outlet cover. It you have trouble plugging your appliances into a loose outlet, you can most likely take care of the problem yourself. According to this article, outlet covers are relatively inexpensive at any department store. Save yourself the expense of calling an electrician, and simply use a screwdriver to swap out the old outlet cover for the new one.
2. An outlet with no power. If an outlet does not provide any power, don’t call an electrician just yet. First, try resetting the corresponding breaker in your breaker box. Resetting the breaker is accomplished by pushing the handle all the way to the "off" position, and then pushing the handle to the "on" position. In most cases, this will fix the problem right away. If the power still doesn’t work after resetting the breaker, then call an electrician.
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| Light bulb wattage should fit the fixture. |
3. Incorrect bulb wattage. In Josh Garskof’s article for This Old House Magazine, he describes a problem that many people have without realizing it – overlamping. Installing a lamp with a higher wattage than what is recommended by the manufacturer causes the fixture to produce too much heat (the maximum recommended wattage is normally stated on a sticker inside of the fixture). This causes the thermal protective device in the fixture to open or "cycle" with the heat of the lamp. In other words, this causes damage to the fixture and the surrounding metal. Because this situation is a potential fire hazard, it should be avoided at all costs. So, be sure to check the wattage limit on a light fixture before installing a light bulb.
We hope that you find these simple tips relevant and helpful. If you run into an electrical problem that requires professional attention, we encourage you to call Berwick Electric Co. at (719) 632-7683 or click here to request service online.