Electrical Fixes

It goes without saying that electricity is one of the elements in your home’s design that deserves to be treated with the utmost respect. You should always be alert to the danger signs that a cord or plug is in need of repair—arcing electricity, irregularly transmitted electricity, and physical damage are all signs that a cord or plug is in need or repair. As well, if the cord has been frayed or damaged, then it’s in need of repair. You should immediately take the cord off the appliance and go to an electrical appliance store to get a replacement cord. Make sure that the new replacement cord is the same wire gauge as the old one.

Replacing a cord is simple. After you unplug the appliance or lamp, you’ll need to find out where the power cord terminals are—remember that they can be hidden behind labels and/or screws or faceplates. The first step is to unscrew any connectors that are still attached, and then connect the plugs using the same kind of connectors. All this becomes more apparent when you’re actually looking at the parts involved, but one of the things that you’ll need to make sure of is that the new cord that you are using to replace the old one is of the same specifications.

Attaching the plug to the whole apparatus is as simple as squeezing the edges together; by squeezing the prongs together, the cord will pierce and you’ll be able to secure it to the plug core. However, some of the self-connecting covers do not slide off the core. Remember that when you’ve decided to replace a defective cord you should also replace the defective plug as well.

As well, always replace a plug with defective, missing or bent prongs or a damaged casing. Self-connecting plugs and those with screw terminals are the most common. To repair an incandescent lamp, usually all that’s needed is a replacement socket, switch, cord or plug. However, there are lamps that have been assembled with rivets and can’t be taken apart. As well, on some models of certain low voltage lamps, the transformer can by unscrewed and a new one can be installed.

There is even a safe way to replace a bulb that has been shattered in a socket. First make sure that the lamp has been disconnected and then press a wad of brown paper bag firmly against the socket to twist the base free of the light bulb. Lastly, it’s always good to know where the breaker panel in your home is. If you’re not familiar with the switches that lead to what appliances on which floor, get a friend to call from the area where the corresponding lights go out so that you can mark all of the breakers in the panel accordingly.

Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspections (866) 476-2056