Good lighting is everything, especially in creating an ambiance, keeping a home safe, improving functionality both inside and outside the home and making a welcoming environment. However, electrical issues can occur over time. Loose wiring alone can cause multiple problems for the homeowner. When your lighting acts up, the system is trying to send you a message. Check out this advice from licensed electricians.

Flickering and Dimming Lights

Most homeowners aren’t aware of how loose wiring can become a serious issue that disrupts the balance of electrical currents. Maybe you’ve noticed flickering lights throughout your home. If this is happening, then it likely means these voltage fluctuations are affecting the brightness of your lighting fixtures.

Electrical Panel Buzzing

Here’s another common red flag that homeowners may experience when there’s loose wiring within their lighting system. If you detect a buzzing noise coming from your electrical panel, which is referred to as arcing, this type of loose connection can put your home at risk of a fire.

Discolored, “Burning” Outlets

If your outlets start smelling like something is burning, or if you spot discoloration around the outlets or switches, this is a serious warning sign about overheating. Once again, a loose neutral wire could be causing this. Don’t ignore these problems, and seek the advice of a licensed electrician.

Tripped Circuit Breakers

Maybe the lights in your kitchen won’t turn on. Often, this is due to a tripped circuit breaker caused by loose wiring. If your lighting system’s connection is unstable, the circuit will overload, and the breakers will “trip” as a safety precaution. Frequent circuit breaker trips are red flags not to ignore.

Mild Electric Shocks

No one wants to experience the feeling of an electric shock, even when it’s a mild one. If you touch an appliance that suddenly gives you a little jolt, that means loose wiring is causing poor electricity flow.

Malfunctioning Electronic Devices

Loose wiring within your lighting system can affect all types of objects, even your favorite electronic devices. Loose wiring can result in electronics that perform inconsistently, fail to charge or reset at random when you least expect them to. Computers, televisions and kitchen appliances are sensitive to voltage fluctuations.

Older homes usually have outdated wiring systems. It’s not the homeowner’s fault when loose wiring develops. The problem often stems from thermal expansion and contraction, vibrations or improper installation.

Don’t try to fix a loose wire in the home. It can be dangerous. If you’ve noticed any of the warning signs outlined above, take action. Contact a master electrician at Hawaii Electrical Source for exceptional lighting services in Honolulu, HI.