Electrical system installed in any building is one of the most crucial systems as it involves a variety of components connected for the system to work properly. Usually, the electrical system might slow down or develop faults with continuous usage. The most common issues that occur in any electrical system are outdated wiring, damaged wiring, flickering lights, old components, etc. These problems might appear small to you, but when you delay the maintenance or repair, then these troubles become complicated.
Usually, when the electrical problems are small or less complicated, then you can repair them on your own. Once you find any problem in the electrical system, look forward to troubleshooting it. Troubleshooting always helps in figuring out what’s wrong with the system. However, when you cannot manage the problems, hiring MEP professionals like Wafaiyah Company is the best approach.
The electrical system is one of the fundamental pillars of building construction. Electrical systems in the MEP services are there to provide safety and functionalities to the building. Power is one of the most important parts of electrical design. The installation of electrical power through the main source and the supply of electricity through the wires are essential for the buildings. When an electrical system fails to perform its duties, you need to perform proper troubleshooting and find the solution for it.
The most common issue that you can see in the electrical system is an interrupted supply of electricity. Usually the power goes on and off frequently, which is a sign that the system encountered an issue. Then the circuit breaker might trip, which leads to the electricity of some phase being shut off. Sometimes faulty switches can also make the situation worse and inconvenient for you.
An interruption in the electricity supply can cause inconvenience for the people living there. Below you will find some of the most common troubles that can occur in the building
The Tripping Of The Circuit Breakers
Does the circuit breaker at your place trip for a while? You might wonder why the circuit breaker trips. However, there are several reasons for the tripping of the circuit breaker. Sometimes the circuit becomes overloaded, that is, you are giving more load to the electrical system than it can bear. Or there is a short circuit that causes a breakdown in the continuous power supply. The worn-out wires or the damaged electrical component can cause the circuit breaker to trip. The initial approach to use is to turn on the circuit breaker if it is off. There are better options to do this; instead, you need to call the professionals. Professionals who have experience will replace the circuit breaker from the main power box or repair the breaker if necessary.
Flickering Lights
Did you find any of the lights flickering? If yes, then there might be an issue with it and you need to troubleshoot that issue. Flickering of the lights occurs due to many different causes. One of the leading causes is that you selected the wrong wattage of the light requirement. Sometimes the light produces high illuminance and sometimes it becomes dimmer than usual. In such a case, you can replace the old light with the new one. However, if the problem doesn’t get solved and you find the issue as it is, then you can think of other causes as well. For example, if the wiring of the light is loose or you have not properly fixed the light in its fixture, solving this issue on your own might lead to electrical shocks. If the light or bulb installed burns very often, then you should replace the fixtures or change the wiring. According to the professionals, you should use the proper wattage for the bulbs and lights as per the requirements. Incorrect wattage of the lights or bulb will cause the circuit breaker to fuse. Therefore, you should always call for professional services that will provide maintenance services for lighting issues.
Short Circuits
Short circuits are common if the electrical system of the building is improperly designed and installed. Usually, when the wires become worn out due to prolonged usage, the insulation from the wires might wear out. It results in creating a short circuit. Sometimes you might now be aware of the power wattage or voltage of the appliance which can result in creating a short circuit.Identification of the short circuit is easier when you know the signs. For example, you might feel the smell of burning near the electrical panel or the electrical outlet. It shows that a short circuit occurred. Usually, the breaker trips, which describe a short circuit, occur. In such a situation, you should always shut down the power supply of the building. Also, you can use a multimeter to identify the flow of voltage from the main power supply to the components. Once you are done with it, then you can call the professionals for assistance. The professionals will come to perform the inspection tests and then provide the best solutions for the problems.
Overloading Of The Circuits
People often need to be made aware of the proper wattage of the lights and bulbs in their houses. Usually, they install higher-wattage bulbs to get high illuminance. But do you know what happens when installing higher-wattage bulbs than the required wattage bulbs? The heat generated by the bulb causes the insulation and socket of the bulb to melt. It then causes sparks to be produced in the wiring. Bulbs then burn out when you fix the high-wattage bulb on the dimmer wattage fixture or both compatibility issues. Overloading of the circuit occurs when you connect too many devices on a single socket and these devices draw power from it and it cannot manage the load of all these devices. It results in overheating and causes the circuit breaker to trip over and over again. So, by calling the professionals you can manage the repairing of the damaged wires or circuits.
Switchboards And Panels With Faults
Sometimes, the main switchboard of the building stops working, like the toggle switch, which is the on/off button, might stop operating. It can become loose or wear off or have loose wiring. If you neglect the boards and panels with issues, then you are likely to increase the complication of the electrical system and make the situation dangerous. The best approach is to replace the faulty switches or panels. Besides this, if you find the main junction box uncovered or its wiring being exposed, then you shall cover it. Covering the junction box will prevent the wires from getting exposed. With the help of a screwdriver and bolts, you can provide cover for the box. Although this issue is very minor, delaying it will cause danger to human life. Hiring a professional service to inspect all the switchboards and panels properly is the best option for you.
Underground Wiring Issues
Old buildings in Saudi Arabia have two-pin electrical sockets instead of the three-pin electrical sockets in the underground wiring. Thus, the current when traveling has no safe path to go to. If the electrical socket is damaged, then you should avoid using it. You shall replace the worn-out electrical sockets with the new one. Also, to avoid getting electrical shocks, you can replace the two-pin electrical socket with a three-pin electrical socket that has ground wiring. By updating the underground wiring issues, you can prevent electrical problems from occurring.
Electrical issues in the MEP services are one of the most common issues. However when you target or expose those issues, you have to deal with maximum safety. Although identification of the problems is not a big deal, finding the solutions can be challenging. If you have a little know-how of the electrical system, then you can troubleshoot it yourself. However, calling a professional is necessary when you want a safer and proper approach to the problems. Before troubleshooting, you must turn off the power supply. It will prevent the circuits from re-energizing and will prevent you from electrical shocks. Similarly, you must have a digital multimeter at home that will help you in testing the power and voltage supplied to the devices. Also, it helps in checking the live and ground wires.
Conclusion
For the smooth operation of the electrical system in the MEP services, you must know the troubleshooting techniques. Troubleshooting techniques will help you identify the cause of the electrical problem. Moreover, it allows you to decide the safety of electrical devices and appliances. Hiring an MEP professional contractor is the optimum choice as they offer the proper maintenance and repair services for the installed MEP system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do when I find a burning smell from the main power supply box?
When you find a burning smell from any electrical system; wire, component, devices, then turn off the main power supply. Afterward, call the professionals to help you in solving the issues.
How do you test an electrical system wire?
Testing a wire is possible with a digital multimeter. But you need to wear proper gloves and rubber shoes to prevent getting an electrical shock.
Can I fix electrical issues by myself?
By wearing the proper PPE kits and taking all the safety protocols you can troubleshoot the problems. However, it is always suggested that professionals be approached to solve complicated electrical issues.
When should you call professionals to solve the electrical issues?
Once you have dome troubleshooting the problem, you must immediately contact professionals like Wafaiyah MEP contractors. These contractors come to your building to identify, test, repair, and replace the issues.