An electrical short circuit occurs when an electrical current flows through its intended path and chooses an alternative, shorter path. An example is when current flows through an electrical range's body instead of confining itself to the usual path. A short circuit can cause electrical shock, damage, or fire. Below are some ways to reduce such risks.
Avoid Damaged Appliances or Wiring
A short circuit can occur if electrical damage allows a current-carrying conductor to touch another conductor. Here are some examples:
• An electrical connection in an electric kettle loosens, and a current-carrying wire touches the kettle's body.
• The insulation on an extension cable deteriorates, and the live wire inside touches your skin.
• Screws loosen inside an electrical outlet, allowing the neutral and hot wire to touch.
All the above examples represent damaged appliances or wiring. Thus, you can reduce the risk of a short circuit by avoiding damaged installations or appliances. Always check your electrical appliances and cable before using them to avoid damaged ones.
Be Careful With DIY Wiring
DIY electricians risk short circuits, especially if they don't have the right skills, tools, or experience. For example, you risk a short circuit if you don't tighten electrical connections as well as you should. Another example is if you use the wrong wires for your connections, and the current overwhelms them. Leave sensitive electrical work to professional electricians.
Avoid Electrical Overloads
Even sound appliances and wiring can experience short circuits if electrical current overwhelms them. In such cases, the excess current will look for alternative paths, creating short circuits. Thus, avoiding electrical overloads can help you avoid short circuits. Below are some tips that can help:
• Unplug electrical appliances during storms so that lighting doesn't overwhelm your electrical system with electricity.
• Don't plug too many electrical appliances into the same circuits.
• Understand your electrical appliances' ratings so that you don't overload the outlets.
• Don't rely on extension cords when your electrical needs increase.
Talk to an electrician to upgrade your electrical panel when your demand or usage increases.
Commission Regular Inspections
Electrical installations and wiring degrade with time. Accidents can also damage your electrical installations. Such damages increase the risk of short circuits, but they are not always visible. The only way to preempt related mishaps is to conduct regular electrical inspections.
For example, an electrician should inspect your wiring at least once a year. That way, you can replace damaged or worn parts before they prove disastrous.
Install Safety Devices
You should also install electrical safety devices that reduce the risks associated with a short circuit. Such devices include:
• Circuit breakers or fuses that cut off electricity in case of a short circuit
• Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) that cut off electricity if they detect an arc in the circuit
• Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) that cut off electricity in case the current in doesn't match the current out of a circuit
Note that these devices don't prevent short circuits - they only prevent the dangers (such as electrical fires) of short circuits.
Keep Water and Electricity Separate
Lastly, you should also know that water conducts electricity. Thus, you should always keep your electrical installations, appliances, or wiring separate from water. For example, you shouldn't:
• Touch electrical outlets with wet hands
• Tough electrical wiring or appliances when standing in water
• Use wet electrical installations
In case floodwater affects your electrical systems, let the affected items dry and have them inspected before using them again.
Residential electrical safety is possible when homeowners work together with electricians. At Presley & Son Electric Service, we pride ourselves in professional electrical services for all clients. We don't consider any job too small or too big for our experienced electricians.
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