Fuses blowing, shorts, fires.
Learn about wiring fires.
These are the side effects of a problem with your electrical outlet. Here’s an electrical outlet safety checklist for you to know if you’ve got the right outlet that meets all the safety specifications.
Warning: Before you do any repairs on wiring, turn off the power at the breaker box.
- If any part of face is broken or it doesn’t grip plug’s prongs firmly, replace it.
- Make sure amp rating embossed on face of receptacle doesn’t exceed amp rating printed on cable.
- Your outlet has three contact openings, not just two.
- Check to make sure it is secure and properly installed. Swapped wires or loose screws will cause shorts or shocks.
- The grounding screw is in.
- Some older homes have steel outlet boxes and armored cable are the rule where the receptacle is grounded to the box, which in turn is grounded by the cable’s metal sheath. Wrapping electrical tape over the terminal screws prevents them from touching the box and short-circuiting.
If your outlets need replacing, you don’t have to do it yourself. Call us at 502.636.HELP (4357) for same-day service!
