DIY is the trend of the times, with which all of us are engaging at some level or the other. From DIY resin art, weaving, sewing to tie-dye, the list goes on and on. While these trends have helped many of us discover our creative potential, there are some fields that should be kept far away from this DIY wave and one such field is that of electricity. Simply because DIY with electricity is like inviting the kind of trouble into your space against which none of us can ever be prepared.
With electrocution claiming the lives of over 20 Australians every year, as per the National Coronial Information System, electricity should be handled with nothing but care and by no one except experts. While we all are well aware of it, we understand how sometimes you decide to take things into your own hands and engage in electrical DIY, especially when the fault/installation seems to be a simple one or when it’s an electrical requirement in need of immediate resolution. So, to ensure your safety during such an engagement of yours,
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We have brought for you a list of 5 common electrical DIY mistakes that you need to avoid.
- Avoid Loose Electrical Fittings
If you thought loose electrical fittings like switches and other outlets should be avoided merely because they ruin the look of your space then you were oblivious to the actual risks associated with it. To avoid the risk of electrical accidents, all your electrical cables and wires should be kept in place without not much space for movement. The more the space, the more the chances of them getting loose around the terminals, increasing the scope of short circuits and other such faults. Also, loose electrical fitting could lead to overheating and when neglected for a longer duration could result in electrical fires.
- Say No to Overloaded Outlets/Electrical Boxes
With the rising number of electrical appliances that we use on a daily basis and this number outnumbering the number of electrical outlets that we have in a room, plugging multiple appliances into a single outlet seems to be the easy way out. But let us tell you that it is in no way a safe way out. Overloaded outlets could not just impact the lifespan of your electrical appliances but also lead to electrical shocks and even electrical fires in the worst case.
Overloading becomes an even more dangerous issue when it comes to electrical boxes. Every electrical box has a limit and when you exceed that limit you put your entire space and its inhabitants at risk. So, what you need to do is consult an expert, calculate the energy requirement of your home and choose the right size of electrical box for your home or workspace.
Signs of an overloaded outlet/box
- Dimming lights.
- Buzzing, sparking outlet, and wires.
- Constant burning odor.
- Warm/hot outlets and switches.
- Regular voltage fluctuations.
- Neglecting Junction Box Installation
The more the exposure to electrical wires, the more is the risk of electrical accidents, especially electrocution. A junction box is where all your electrical connections find a safe home, far from human touch, and compromising on its installation is like compromising the safety of your space. A properly installed and covered junction box not only reduces the risk of exposure to live wires but also protects your electrical wires against damage and therefore keeping several electricity-associated risks at bay.
- Avoid Shortly Cut Wires
While long wires may seem too inconvenient, short wires could be dangerous. So, if you have to decide on the length of your electrical wires, you can go for an inch longer but never even an inch shorter. The reason for this is that shortly cut wires can first lead to poor connections and then lead to electrical faults and accidents. So, in case you end up cutting the wire shorter than required, don’t try to forcefully use the wire as in that moment it might seem like a convenient option but in the future could pave the way to a lot of unwanted troubles.
But in case you cut a wire short, you can simply use wire extensions or connectors instead of throwing it away.
- Exposed Wires Without Proper Insulation
When dealing with electricity, the chances of electrocution or minor shocks are always there, especially when handled by inexperienced hands. But this risk increases manifold in the case of wires that are not properly insulated. Every wire has a safety layer that limits the outwards flow of electricity. While touching a properly insulated wire won’t necessarily lead to electrical shocks, touching a live wire that lacks proper insulation is guaranteed to put you under the risk of shocks. So, while engaging with electrical DIY make sure that all wires have proper insulation and all the ends are properly covered with insulation tape.
So, from our emergency electricians in Frankston, these were the five common electrical DIY mistakes to avoid. But as when it comes to electricity you can never be cautious enough, to avoid electrical mistakes or faults of any kind, leave the electrical work to the experts. Our electricians at Direct Point Electrical are always there at your call and are fully equipped to take care of all your electrical needs. So, in case you are faced with an electrical need at your home or workspace, get in touch with us today.
