10 Tips to Spot and Fix an Electrical Short

We all are quite acquainted with what an electric short is and how daunting it can be at times, especially during extreme Winters or scorchingly hot Summers, when we cannot just wait for getting them fixed.

Electrical shorts, when left unattended, can be dangerous sometimes; thus, identifying electrical shorts timely can be crucial for the prevention of possible hefty damage to you and your central heating and cooling units installed in your residential or commercial electrical contractors Tampa, FL.

Electric Short in the circuit:

Electrical shorts occur when electricity flows outside of the circuit where it is supposed to flow, and this can happen due to causes like worn-out insulation of the wires, loose wire connections, faulty wire connections, etc. An increase in the flow of electricity, faulty wire connection in the appliances, poor insulation in wires connected to and from the circuit are among some of the most common causes behind an electrical short.

Spotting the electric short:

You can spot an electric short by observing a blown fuse, some sparks, a burning smell with little smoke aided by a little popping sound, a tripping breaker, or solely a popping sound as soon as you turn on any electrical equipment. And as soon as you are confirmed that there is an electrical short, you can follow certain measures to fix it.

Disconnect the Circuit:

The first step to be followed while fixing an electric short is to disconnect the circuit from the main power line. This step is crucial for saving you from the possibility of getting a shock and the prevention of other shorts as often there are multiple appliances connected to a circuit board.

Unplug other appliances connected to the affected circuit:

To prevent further complications associated with a short electrical check for the possible damage in other appliances connected to the same circuit. First, unplug them and check them for possible damage.

Use proper tools for a quick fix:

Before setting yourself up for the fixing, ensure you have assembled the proper tools required for a proper fix like a non-contact voltage tester, wire-strippers, a neon tester, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.

Remove the affected Wires:

Remove the affected wires using a proper tool like wire strippers or pliers. But before proceeding further, either switch the power off or remove the fuse.

Inspect the wires:

Inspect the wires to know the exact cause of the short using a voltmeter or a multimeter.

Disconnect the Breaker Wires:

Always disconnect the power supply to the affected circuit breaker to fix the electric short.

Survey the circuit breaker:

If the device used, either a voltmeter or multimeter shows continuity; the circuit breakers cause the electrical short. Get the breaker replaced to fix the short.

Regular Check-ups can prevent shorts:

A routine or periodic inspection of your electrical unit including all the important parts like the main circuit board, the electric box, all the wiring of household appliances, insulation of wires, and the wires inside and outside the circuit, etc. can prevent shorts.

Either you can fix the electrical short, or call an expert electrician to handle the fix for you. 

You can find the best electrician in Tampa, FL at our company! Why not schedule a service with ACME Electrical Services today, the leading and dependable electric repair in Tampa, FL!