As you might be aware that each electrical appliance has a different electrical load and hence it is recommended to always sync that up with electrical fittings at your house. Let us take an example, in the kitchen; usually, the wiring and electric switch specification of a microwave is 16Amp, however, if you compare it to a refrigerator, it is 6Amp. Unfortunately, information like such is often left out and leads to life-threatening ramifications.
One of the most essential appliances but is often overlooked is power sockets; what it does is it ensures power supply to all the appliances. And, moreover, you would be surprised to know that some of the consumers often miss checking the wear-and-tear of the outlets before they plug it into the power plugs. A power socket that is damaged has the capability to interrupt not only the power supply but also increase the chance of risks that might lead to electrical hazards like electrocution, short circuits, etc.
According to research done by the National Records Bureau (NCRB), approximately 3,000 people die every year in electric power-related accidents. Hence, making it is of paramount importance to take pre-emptive measures to ensure safety and undisrupted supply of electricity. To make sure something like this doesn’t happen to you, the following are three things you should keep in mind:
Overheated power outlets
Now, this thing occurs when you don’t use the correct specification of the wire or end up uploading more current on a less rated socket. Other reasons that would lead to overheating is electrical wiring of the terminals not being appropriately placed and loose wiring. In the case of loose wiring, the electrical power outlet generate a lot of heat that can lead to fire and cause unfortunate electrical hazards.
Look out for sparks and burning smells.
You need to be more attentive in case you hear buzzing or crackling sounds from your power sockets. In a situation like this, you would need some help from an electrician, and the next step would be to get the power sockets changed. A burning smell can be brought into notice if the electrical sockets are corroded. Modern homes that are well-equipped with several expensive appliances, it is advisable to switch off the power supply from the MCB board to avoid any electrical mishappening.
Loose plug-in sockets
There are many households, where you will see falling out plugs from switch sockets is a common sight. For instance, when you plug in your laptop charger, and the electrical plug slides out of the outlet holes, and these conditions are caused due to the plugging and then unplugging of appliances. It is fairly common that over a period of time, the spring mechanism of the power sockets will get hampered and get unfit, and you will be required to replace them immediately.
In the end, we would like to conclude by saying that always put the safety and security of yourself and your family first. If you notice any of these aforementioned signs, immediately take action, as it is better to be safe than sorry. Taking these precautions should be your top priority list to safeguard circuitry, appliances and inhabitants, rather than doing damage control after the incident has occurred.
