The electrical wiring in a building is essential to how it operates, but not many people give it much thought. It is hidden behind walls and in ceiling voids, and powers lights, appliances, heating and equipment, but it does age, suffer damage and can also suffer from installation issues which only become apparent at a later date. All these things present a safety risk, and it is important to understand how this can occur and what a property owner or employer should do about this.
Faulty electrical wiring can be defined as wiring that is:
- Frayed or exposed
- Loosely connected
- Showing insulation damage
- Not in compliance with current standards
Older properties are more likely to experience faulty wiring, but poor installation and damage can affect any property, and the power demands of modern appliances and equipment can also cause faulty wiring, so it is important that you are able to identify the signs and understand the risks.
What causes faulty wiring?
Common causes of faulty wiring include:
- Overloading sockets
- Old and deteriorated wiring
- Physical damage to wiring from impact or from pests
- Poor electrical maintenance or installation
- Short circuits
The effects of faulty wiring
Wires that are damaged, deteriorated or poorly connected can lead to:
- Overheating and sparks
- Fire
- Electric shock from exposed wires and poor grounding
- Damage to appliances and equipment
The main danger is that these effects can start in areas that you can't see, ie. behind walls and in ceiling voids, and therefore arcing and sparks can ignite surrounding materials such as insulation, timber joists, dust and dirt. A spark can ignite a small fire which takes time to build and by the time it is noticeable, is much harder to contain and therefore puts both people and the property at risk. In other areas of a property there may be moisture, which increases the risk of electric shock from exposed wiring, live wires and appliances attached to these.
Faulty wiring also causes fluctuations in voltage which leads to power surges and poor electrical flow. These may not always cause a fire or electrical shock but sudden spikes or dips in power can damage circuit boards which can impact on the lifespan or performance of an appliance or piece of equipment.
What can you do about faulty wiring?
The first thing to consider when trying to address faulty wiring is to identify signs that you might have it. These include:
- Fuses and circuit breakers regularly tripping and power being lost for no obvious reason
- Lights flickering, dimming or buzzing
- Wall sockets are warm when you touch them
- There is a burning smell around sockets and switches, usually a burning plastic smell
- Sockets and plugs are scorched or discoloured
- You see sparks when plugging something into a wall socket
Although faulty wiring itself can’t be seen, you should be able to notice one or more of these warning signs. Therefore you should act quickly if you do as these can quickly develop into a significant safety risk. The good news is that these are early warning signs and allow you to seek professional help in addressing the issues. A qualified electrical tester will be able to:
- Identify hidden hazards with your electrical wiring
- Address the problem quickly and safely
- Ensure the property meets current compliance standards in terms of electrical wiring
- Recommend and implement a regular electrical maintenance programme
So, make sure you are vigilant to the warning signs of faulty wiring in your property and that you act quickly by calling a professional, qualified electrician if any of these issues are identified.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.