How to identify electrical problems

The most severe electrical problems will identify themselves, and sometimes dramatically: the television suddenly emits a loud pop, and goes black. You flip on the air conditioning, and the whole house suddenly loses power. Other problems may give you warning signs: breakers that tend to trip, when too many devices are being operated at once; or a toaster that sparks when you unplug it. These are signs, respectively, of an electrical system that's inadequate, and a short waiting to happen. Still another type of problem to watch for is the gradual fraying of wires inside your walls. In older homes especially, knob and tube wiring may wear thin, creating a fire hazard. Always be alert to the condition of wires in your attic; squirrels and rats are notorious for gnawing through the protective insulation. In general, you can identify most electrical problems by watching how your appliances behave: do they overheat, trip the breakers, spark, or emit smoke? Do your lights spontaneously brighten and dim? If you encounter recurring electrical problems, it's best to have them checked out by a good electrician.