Electrical Wiring Problems in a House

Light Bulb Problems

• A number of reasons exist why light bulbs, whether throughout the home or in certain rooms, will burn out faster than they should. The most common factor is choosing bulbs that are inappropriate for the situation -- the wattage is too great, a connection is too loose or bulbs are simply of poor quality. Careful bulb selection is key to preventing these problems. Blinking or flickering bulbs are the result of a bad connection somewhere along the circuit. The diagnosis requires tracking the source of the bad connection, which is usually located at an outlet, switch box or the light itself. If more than one bulb is affected, or more than one area of the home, the problem is likely in the breaker. Lights that go off and come back on are probably not the result of a shortage or other problem. The most likely cause of this, particularly in lights that sit flush to the ceiling, is a safety system that prevents the light from overheating.

Outlet Problems

• Outlets are one area where a number of problems may become obvious, usually because electronics and appliances won’t work. When these shorts are present in both the top and bottom outlet and are coupled with breaker problems, the problem usually lies along the circuit. Finding and repairing the short should treat the problem. In a situation where half of the outlet works and the other doesn’t, it tends to be related to age. Over time, the connection and wires attaching the outlet to the electrical system have simply loosened. Updating the outlet should fix the problem.

  Outdoor receptacles and those in bathrooms, the garage and the kitchen, are most likely equipped with a ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, a design that prevents shocks and electrocution by shutting off when a situation where shocks or electrocution is present. If this device is tripped, any GFCI outlet along the circuit will stop working and must be reset. Each indoor outlet will come equipped with a reset switch, while outdoor outlets must be reset at the breaker.

Circuit Breaker

• A circuit breaker is the panel that controls the amount of power that is being sent through the wiring. These panels come in a number of sizes, but 10-, 15- and 20-amp breakers are the most common in residential construction and are ideal for average power and lighting needs. When the circuit breaker trips frequently, it is sometimes just indicative that the breaker is not large enough. In older homes, it is wise to update the circuit breaker, which will aid in keeping modern appliances running. If the problem occurs with certain heavy-duty appliances, adding a separate circuit with more power is an ideal solution.

Older Homes

• Prior to purchasing any home, having a licensed professional inspect the wiring health of the building is essential. Homes more than 50 years old are especially prone to electrical issues, and upgrading should be among the first priorities when you move in. Most inspections will turn up a few problems, the majority of which will be simple repairs, while other situations will require extensive renovations to be brought up to code. Either way, wiring should be worked on by a professional, which will ensure safety and that the job is done to code, preventing costly fixes later on.