5 Signs Your Home Electrics May Need Checking

barnesoliver2067

Sep 1

2 min read

1. Your Electrics Keep Tripping

A circuit breaker or RCD occasionally operating doesn't necessarily mean there is a serious problem. However, if your electrics repeatedly trip, there may be an underlying fault that needs investigating.

Possible causes can include a faulty appliance, damaged wiring or a problem with a particular electrical circuit.

Rather than repeatedly resetting the consumer unit, professional electrical fault finding can help identify the cause of the problem.

2. Your Consumer Unit Is Older

The consumer unit is an important part of your home's electrical installation and contains protective devices for the electrical circuits around the property.

Older consumer units are not automatically unsafe simply because of their age. However, electrical protection and regulations have developed considerably over the years.

If you have an older consumer unit, an electrician can inspect the installation and advise whether any improvements are recommended.

3. Sockets, Switches or Lights Aren't Working Properly

Flickering lights, damaged accessories, intermittent sockets or switches that no longer operate correctly can all be signs that something needs investigating.

Sometimes the repair is straightforward. In other cases, testing may uncover a fault elsewhere on the circuit.

If you're unsure about an electrical problem, it's best to have it properly tested rather than trying to diagnose hidden wiring yourself.

4. You're Buying, Renting or Renovating a Property

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) provides a detailed assessment of the condition of an existing electrical installation.

Electrical testing can be particularly useful when purchasing an older property, planning renovation work or assessing an installation that hasn't been inspected for some time.

Landlords also have specific responsibilities relating to electrical safety in rented properties.

5. You're Planning Additional Electrical Work

If you're considering a new kitchen, extension, EV charger, additional sockets or other significant electrical work, it's useful to understand the condition and capacity of the existing installation first.

Depending on the work required, an electrician may check the consumer unit, earthing arrangements and relevant circuits before carrying out the new installation.

Electrical Testing in Wimborne, Poole & Bournemouth

If you've noticed an electrical problem or would simply like your installation checked, OB Electrical can help.

We're based in Wimborne and provide domestic and commercial electrical services throughout Poole, Bournemouth and surrounding Dorset, including electrical testing, EICRs, fault finding, consumer unit upgrades, rewiring and electrical installations.