Each year, electrical burns or shocks land up to 10,000 people in US emergency departments. Some electrical burns are even so severe they comprise 4% of burn center admissions.
Household exposures, in turn, make up a considerable portion of those injuries.
That should already tell you how crucial it is to hire an electrician for most electrical work.
So, what exactly are those jobs best left in the hands of a licensed residential electrician? We rounded up the primary ones below, so be sure to read on.
Wiring-Related Repairs
Faulty switches and non-working outlets are electrical problems signaling defective wiring. The same goes for loud and weird buzzing noises from the electrical panel. However, an overloaded circuit may also be a culprit behind those sounds.
In any case, those are indications of electrical dangers that warrant professional repairs. It’s even more crucial to hire a home electrician if smoky smells accompany those signs.
Panel Upgrades
Hire an electrician if you need to upgrade your electrical panel. One reason you may need a new one with a higher capacity is to accommodate new appliances. You may also have to get a new panel to ensure your home meets today’s building codes.
Most importantly, you should upgrade your panel if it’s from Federal Pacific Electric. According to some estimates, one million FPE panels are fires waiting to happen. That’s because those panels were defective even before their installation.
Installation of a Surge Protection System
Power surges are sudden spikes in voltage that can damage electronics. Unfortunately, the average home has about $15,000 worth of devices that such events can damage.
For that reason, you should consider hiring an electrician to set your home up with a surge protector. That involves installing a Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) system. With a TVSS system, you can protect your pricey electronics from damaging surges.
Outlet Additions
If you use multiple extension cords at home to power your devices, take that as a sign you need to add wall outlets. It’s even more crucial if each has many appliances plugged in, as that can trigger fires.
In any case, it’s best to leave the job of adding electrical to a professional electrician. After all, it involves new electrical connections and wirings. That means live electricity, which is something a non-pro should never handle.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Replacement
GFCIs are devices meant to minimize the risk of injuries from electrical shocks. They can do so by detecting potential shock incidents. If they sense such an event, they automatically cut off the power before someone gets hurt.
GFCIs can last for up to 30 years, but they can go bad earlier. So, if you think that you have a few defective ones at home, call an electrician right away. Otherwise, the GFCIs won’t trip as needed, which may then result in electrical injuries.
Hire an Electrician for Most Electrical Issues
Some electrical projects, such as changing LED bulbs, are okay to DIY. However, it’s best to hire an electrician for most other jobs, such as repairs and upgrades. That way, you don’t have to worry about dangers, especially electrical shocks and burns.
Do you need electrical repairs and upgrades for your Lewisville, Texas home? If so, please get in touch with us now, and our team here at White Electric will be ready to assist.
