5 Common Problems with Electrical Outlets and Their Respective Solutions
08 August 2022
Commercial and industrial buildings maximise numerous electrical outlets to sustain their operations. Through electrical outlets, they can easily connect their electrical equipment to the electrical grid, as the latter intends to deliver alternating current to the outlet.
These outlets, also known as receptacles, can provide the needed power for electrical equipment, appliances, and devices through the latter’s cord plug. Once their cord plugs are inserted, the components inside the outlets provide them with the required electrical energy. While electrical outlets are often designed to last for a long time, they can still attain some issues and problems as time passes.
Here are some of the most common problems with electrical outlets in commercial and industrial buildings and some possible ways to resolve them.
1. Deteriorated Slots
One of the most common problems with electrical outlets is the presence of deteriorated slots. Electrical outlets do not maximise mechanical or moving parts. However, they have metal contact points inside their body that are intended to grip the hot, neutral, and grounding prongs of the cord plugs. Once these contact points wear out, they gradually generate greater electrical resistance and heat, causing huge issues in the wiring. Deteriorated slots can be resolved by replacing them with updated and code-compliant electrical outlets.
2. Loose Wirings
Another problem with electrical outlets is the existence of loose wire connections. The circuit wire connections of electrical outlets are among the components that can deteriorate and wear out quickly since they are utilised all the time. Whenever current is drawn through a wire connection, a small amount of heat is expected to be released. The repeated expansion and contraction of the wirings can eventually lead to loosened screws. Tightening the wire connections can typically resolve this problem.
3. Lack of Ground Connection
Electrical outlets that do not have a ground connection can be a huge problem for commercial or industrial buildings. A ground connection is necessary as it helps protect building occupants from the danger associated with high voltage. Once metal surfaces become electrically energised, they may carry sufficiently high voltage, which can then trigger a fatal shock to anyone who touches them. The absence of ground connection is typically caused by the use of old electrical systems. Hence, applying some corrections to the systems can solve this issue.
4. Improper Rating
The rating of electrical outlets must be checked thoroughly to ensure they can be compatible with the type of operations a building will perform. If a business installs electrical outlets without verifying their ratings, it will only lead to a mismatch with their circuits. Keep in mind that connecting a low-rated electrical outlet to a high-rated circuit is still safe. But connecting a high-rated electrical outlet to a low-rated circuit can often lead to a tripped circuit breaker, wire damage, and fire. Reviewing the amperage of the circuit can prevent this issue.
5. Cracked Bodies
One more problem with electrical outlets is the presence of cracked bodies. Most materials used for modern electrical outlets are designed to last for a long time. They are likewise often resistant to breaks and cracks. But if commercial or industrial buildings still utilise old electrical outlets, they might already have become damaged. They can often become damaged since they are often made from weak plastic materials. Upon encountering cracked or chipped outlets, property owners should replace them immediately.
If you need help with electrical outlet servicing, you can contact us at Light-On Electrical.
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