subject: Electrical Mistakes Made by Electrical Contractors [print this page] Electrical Mistakes Made by Electrical Contractors
Electrical installations can be dangerous, and attention must always be given when working with it so as to avoid making any dangerous mistakes. These catastrophes, often made by those who are unfamiliar with working with electrical installations, can be dangerous. It is always for the best to work with a master electrical contractor before taking on any DIY projects that involve electrical installations.
Electric cable comes in different gauges, each designed for a particular type of use. If the wire csa is not large enough for a particular current, this can cause the wire to overheat. In fact, it might even short circuitbefore the circuit breaker or fuse can stop the current.
Electricians problems can also happen when using PVC coated wire, which is generally referred to as "cable". These cables must be clipped securely to beams and wall studs, but care must be given not to damage or nick the cables. This can easily happen if the clips which are used to attach the cables to the wall studs are driven too tightly. Another issues that can happen with plastic cable is leaving it exposed and unprotected. This leaves it vulnerable to being destroyed, and should always be avoided. This will protect it from severe damage.
Switches and outlet plates must always be wired correctly. If a property has a two prong sockets, these cannot be replaced with a earthed socket unless the cable itself is also upgraded to be grounded. Electricians should never put a chrome socket over ungrounded boxes or unearthed sockets.
Outlets and switches can also run into trouble if they are too loose. This can cause them to move around, possibly allowing the cables to come away from their terminals. This could cause arcing and overheating, which will create a fire hazard. Loose sockets should be fixed with new screws so that they are attached snugly.
Electrician Mistakes - Electrical Backboxes
Electrical boxes should never be crammed full. If there becomes too many cables in one box, this could cause heating or short-circuiting, which could result in a fire. There are exact guidelines that need to be followed when working out minimum backbox depths.
Wire connections should also never be made too short, because they are likely to have poor connections. If small wires are come across, they should be fixed by using crimped extensions. When using recessed electrical boxes, they need to be flush with the wall behind combustible wall surfaces. Or, they represent a fire risk. A metal or plastic box extension has to be used under these circumstances. These are some of the more common electrical catastrophes that can be made, but of course there are many others. Electrical work should always be performed by a professional electrician in Manchester, to insure safety.
