Unless you are trained and qualified, homeowners without electrical experience should avoid performing tasks that involve electricity. One wrong move with electricity and the outcome could be tragic. Electricity leaves no room for error and mistakes made can ultimately lead to some very serious damage including fires or electrical shock. For these very reasons, the folks here at Gervais Electric, Inc., right here in Franklin, want to educate our clients on the common mistakes that people make when working with electricity so you will know exactly what you need to avoid.
NEW CONNECTIONS – Often times with wiring projects such as installing outdoor lights or speakers where there is no electrical box, people tend to think it is perfectly ok to perform wiring without the use of an electrical box. This could not be farther from the truth. If there is no electrical box in the immediate vicinity, then surely you would need to add a junction box nearby to where you want to install the lights or speakers. With the installation of the junction box you ensure that the connection and wires are protected against moisture and damage and prevent heat and sparks from occurring. Once you have installed the box, then all you need to do is connect the wires to the inside of it. This is much safer than attempting to wire a new connection without a junction box at all.
UNPROTECTED CABLES – The experts here at Gervais Electric want to point out the simple fact that leaving cable unprotected can lead to electrical issues. Electrical standards and codes make it very clear that any type of cable installed between framing members absolutely must be protected since it can be easily damaged otherwise. The use of a conduit of some sort will provide needed protection and is often the perfect solution.
UNSECURED OUTLETS – If you have outlets in your home that are loose or unsecured they may shift at one point and cause the wiring to come loose from the terminal. When this happens, wires can overheat quickly and can create a serious fire hazard. Here at Gervais Electric we highly recommend adding plastic spacers to the screws on the outside of the outlets to properly secure the outlets in place. This simple task can avoid costly fire damages to your home and keep both your home and family safe.
ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE CUT TOO SHORT – This is a common home electrical mistake made by many. People installing a new outlet or switch perhaps, tend to cut the wires too short which makes it almost impossible to have a proper connection. Without proper connections the risk of danger is very high. It is important that, when cutting wires, they protrude at least a good three inches out of the electrical box. We understand full well that there are times when you might have to work with shorter cut wires. If this is the case, we suggest you extend the short wires by adding extensions to the existing wires. This will certainly remove any high risks of danger and make your installation project altogether easier and safer.
These common home electrical mistakes can cause grave danger to your home and family. With that said, the expert teams here at Gervais Electric want to make it perfectly clear that if you have no experience working with electricity, attempting to perform an electrical task puts you, your home and your family at risk. We would prefer you call our professionals to handle all your electrical needs, whether installations, repairs or wiring. Our electricians will come out to your home, inspect your electrical components, identify any problems and provide effective solutions. Don’t take chances with the safety of your home and family. When an electrical problem arises, avoid mistakes and dangers. Contact the pros here at Gervais Electric, Inc. at 615-973-1436. We look forward to serving all our Franklin clients with all your electrical needs!!
