DIY projects are not only satisfying but may seem cost-effective at first. However, DIY repairs are not ideal for electrical issues, as they are complicated and dangerous. Therefore, you might make mistakes that cost you more and endanger your life while trying to save money. You can avoid these four risky mistakes by working with an electrical contractor.
1. Overloading Connections
The boxes at your electrical terminals should protect the electrical wires from external elements. But they can only handle limited connections, and overloading them might lead to overheating or short-circuiting. Sadly, you may not know when you overload your electrical terminals if you are not a qualified electrical contractor. On the other hand, electricians know how to connect the wires correctly and the limits for each electrical box. Therefore, they can ensure you only use what each box can hold.
2. Using Wrong Wire Sizes
Faulty wiring connections and uncovered wires are common mistakes in many households. Sometimes, homeowners connect too many wires in a single terminal or use uncovered and low-quality wires. However, making a mistake on the size and number of the wires can lead to electrical fire accidents. A competent electrical contractor knows the type of wires to use for each purpose to avoid overheating, fires, or explosions. Therefore, you should work with them for any wiring project in your home.
3. Using Wrong Electrical Box Sizes
If you are not an electrician, any electrical box may seem okay for your wiring connections. But it is critical to know that electrical boxes serve a major purpose, and they come in different sizes, depending on the number of wires they are to protect. So, you risk overheating, short-circuiting, and possibly causing fire if you shove too many wires in one small box. Working with an electrical contractor enhances safety because they know everything about wiring, and they can help you choose appropriate electrical boxes that serve your needs.
4. Not Using a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
It is not advisable to install electricity without following the relevant electrical codes. For instance, it is a requirement that you use a ground fault circuit interrupter in your bathrooms and kitchen. That is because you use a lot of water in these places and electricity should not come into contact with water. An electrical contractor knows all the safety requirements and will ensure you have the GFCI system to protect you from shocks or fire.
Simple electrical tasks like fixing bulbs are relatively safe, but it is better to leave major electrical repairs in your houses to a professional. That is because the amount of damage due to mistakes supersedes the amount of money you'll save on DIY projects. Besides, you may endanger yourself or your family members in the process. Working with a licensed electrical contractor will help you avoid making risky and costly electrical mistakes.
For more info, contact a company like McDonald Electric.
Share10 May 2022
You might know that you need to hire an electrician, since you might be building or remodeling a home, or you might have an electrical issue. Of course, you're going to need to find the right electrician for the job. We know that finding and hiring a good electrician can be challenging, particularly if you aren't involved in the industry yourself. We're here to share what we know about hiring someone to perform electrical work in your home, commercial building, or industrial building. You can get tips for choosing an electrician, and you'll find advice for working with that electrician, too.