Do you have flickering lights or a circuit breaker that keeps tripping? These issues may seem like annoyances. But they can also point to more serious electrical problems. Recognizing an emergency can save your home’s electrical system. It also helps prevent electrical fires and injuries like shock or electrocution. When it comes to the electrical system in your New Salem, MA, home, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
At Pioneer Valley Environmental, we understand that dealing with electrical issues can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help make fixing these problems easier and help you recognize the warning signs of an electrical emergency. Our goal is to offer quick and dependable emergency electrical services for New Salem and nearby areas. Learn more below about the five times you need to call an emergency electrician ASAP.
1. A Burning Smell Coming From an Electrical Outlet
A burning smell is a serious warning sign with your electrical system. Most people describe the smell as plastic or acrid. If you smell this odor, it indicates that an electrical wire or component is overheating. Overheating can cause the wire’s insulation to melt or even ignite, leading to an electrical fire. You don’t want to wait to get this problem fixed. It requires immediate action.
If you smell something burning from an outlet, switch, or electrical panel, turn off the power right away. Do this at your main breaker box. If you have trouble finding the specific breaker, turn off the main power to your entire home. As soon as the electricity stops in the area, call Pioneer Valley Environmental. They will diagnose the issue and make safe repairs.
2. Sparks or Smoke From an Outlet or Appliance
Are you seeing sparks or smoke from an electrical outlet, appliance, or a circuit breaker panel? This is a clear sign that your electrical system has a short or other serious malfunction. When you see sparks, your system is arcing. Arcing happens when electricity jumps between two conductors. This action generates some serious heat, and it doesn’t take much for it to ignite flammable materials, such as drywall and studs in your home.
If you see sparks, you must:
- Unplug the appliance immediately
- Turn off power at the breaker, if applicable
- Avoid using the outlet
- Call for emergency repairs
Arcing is a fire hazard. You shouldn’t attempt DIY fixes. Our emergency electricians at Pioneer Valley Environmental have the right tools and skills. They can tackle these dangerous situations because they have done it many times. Our electricians find the arcing source and fix it before it leads to an electrical fire.
3. A Constantly Tripping Circuit Breaker
A single circuit breaker that trips on occasion isn’t always a problem. It’s often a sign that the circuit is overloaded. But if a breaker trips following a reset, it indicates a deeper electrical issue. A breaker’s job is to protect your home. It cuts off power when it detects an overload or a fault. If your breaker keeps tripping, it’s a warning. This means there’s a serious issue with the electrical circuit it controls. The wiring might have a short. The breaker itself might also have issues.
Never ignore this problem and don’t tape the brake in place to try to keep it on. Bypassing this safety mechanism can cause overheating wires. This may melt the insulation and lead to a fire. You need an electrician to take care of a breaker that often trips, even after you reset it. Electricians inspect the circuit closely. They find the underlying cause and then make the necessary repairs.
4. Complete Power Outage in Only One Part of Your Home
When the lights go out in your entire neighborhood, it’s a utility company problem. But what about when only your home loses power? Or, more precisely, half of your home loses power without warning while the rest remains on? We call this a “partial power outage,” and it’s an electrical issue. Partial power outages can happen if a main breaker has tripped or if a circuit is overloaded. In more serious cases, the issue might stem from a faulty electrical connection that’s tied to the utility pole.
Partial power outages can lead to dangerous situations, such as electrical fires. Fluctuating voltages can also harm sensitive electronics and appliances. If one part of your home has lost power, you should contact an electrician to investigate the issue right away to get to the bottom of the problem.
5. Electrical Shocks From Outlets or Switches
Receiving a small electrical shock from a light switch, outlet, or appliance is never normal, even if it’s a slight buzz. You should always treat these occurrences as an emergency. When you receive a shock, it indicates that electricity has moved away from its intended path. It’s likely making contact with the outlet’s metal casing or another device’s frame. If not fixed right away, the safety issue heightens and tiny shocks can turn into stronger, potentially harmful ones.
Common causes of electrical shocks include:
- Exposed wiring
- Loose wiring
- Improper grounding
- Faulty wiring inside an appliance
- Outlet or switch damage
You need to have these problems investigated immediately. Never use the device or outlet while waiting for help to arrive. Licensed electricians can find the source of shock hazards. They will repair the wiring or replace any faulty parts. Taking prompt action protects your home and keeps your family safe.
Other Signs You Need an Electrician
You should call an electrician in other situations, not only for the five mentioned above. If you hear buzzing or humming, it could mean you’ve got loose wiring or a faulty component. Outlets or switches that feel warm to the touch often point to resistance in your home’s wiring. Outdated wiring is a clear warning sign. This includes things like a fuse box instead of a breaker panel, two-prong outlets, and cloth-insulated wiring. And if your electric bills spike without a reason, faulty wiring might be drawing more power than it should.
What Can You Do as a Homeowner?
You can do a few simple things to stay safe around electricity. Test your smoke detectors, avoid overloading outlets, and replace damaged cords right away. Keep water away from anything electrical, and always flip breakers off before working near wiring. But when it comes to bigger stuff like fixing wiring, replacing panels, or tracking down strange buzzing or burning smells, that’s where we step in. Leave that to us, because we’ve got the tools and training to keep you safe.
Contact Pioneer Valley Environmental for All Your Electrical Needs
When facing an electrical emergency in New Salem, MA, you can’t afford to wait. The safety of your household is your top priority and ours. It’s why we offer 24/7 emergency electrical services to respond to situations that can’t wait. If you smell something burning or have a breaker that keeps tripping, our licensed electricians can help. We offer quick, licensed help when you need it most. For a new outlet, a service panel upgrade, or a safety inspection, we’re your trusted choice for all electrical needs. Contact Pioneer Valley Environmental today for more information about our electrical services.
