How do you define an "Electric Short," and what can you do about it?

This issue happens to a lot of people on a daily basis. For example, if you go to do laundry and turn on the washing machine, your machine immediately stops. This might be because your GFCI outlet has tripped a bit; if that’s not the case, it must be an electric Short. There can be different reasons for an electric Short, the most common being the issues in the electrical circuit or the problem with the machine’s wiring. Either way, electric shorts can be extremely frustrating and sometimes can be risky too.

What is the cause of an Electrical Short, and how does it work?

What happens in an electrical short may seem like a riddle as the electrical circuits are extremely complex systems. In simple words, electricity flows into a circuit to give power to the appliances such as machines, chargers, lights, etc. In a circuit, if a hot wire encounters a neutral wire, a short circuit is observed. In an electrical short, an excess number of current flows into the circuit for a shorter span until the circuit breaker clears the circuit. The overflow of current into the circuit can be dangerous and damaging for the appliances, and it can even cause a potential house fire and can be a devastating loss.

 Causes of an Electrical Short

An electrical short is a cause when a hot wire, while carrying current to the appliance, meets the ground or neutral wire (the wire through which the current returns to the electrical panel). Different reasons can cause an electrical short. Some of the most common reasons are as follow:

• Old Wiring – As the wiring gets old, it starts damaging and can be a safety hazard. Most old homes and buildings have aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring. This is one of the main reasons behind a short circuit because aluminum wires are more prone to overheating and hence can cause electrical shorts.
• Weakened Wire Insulation – The wires in your houses are insulated to prevent any direct contact and safety hazards. If the wires are weakened, and their Insulation is damaged, there are way more chances of an electrical short. Wires can get damaged naturally with time due to wear and tear and sometimes because of the rodents chewing through them.
• Loose or Incorrect Wiring – Last but not least, if the wiring around your space is loosened or incorrect, you will end up experiencing a short circuit because the wires are more likely to get in touch with each other if they’re loosened.

How can you know that there is an Electrical Short in your space?

As there are different reasons behind an electric short, you need to know its cause to get it fixed. Always look for the warning signs on the circuits to avoid any damage. To figure out if you might be facing an electric short issue, ask yourself the following questions.

• Are you noticing any smell of burning wires around your house?
• Are there any warm spots on your walls, even if they are far away from the heat sources?

• Have you noticed any burnt marks or dark spots around your outlets?
• Is your electric breaker tripping more frequently over time?
• When you see exposed wires around your house, are there any signs of damage to the wires?

If the answer to most of your questions is yes, then there are more than 90% chances that there is an ongoing electric short around your house. If your answer to most of the questions is yes, then the chances of an electric short are not only greater, but it can be worrying. In such a case, you need to get it fixed immediately to avoid any risk.

If you have any appliance or machinery that stops working while operating, then there are chances that the short circuit is in the wire of the appliance. If the problem is in the wire of the appliance, there you just need to get it fixed or repaired; otherwise, it will cause a short circuit. However, if the appliance is completely fine, you need to check your circuit and see what the issue is. City Wide Electric is the most reliable electrical service provider in Los Angeles. No matter what electric issue you face around your house, we have covered you.

Finding an Electrical Short around your house.

There are many ways through which you can identify the electrical short around your house or faulty wiring that is causing the electric short. Often, an electric short is easy to find, but it requires the assistance of an electrical professional. Electric professionals know the circuits, and they know how to get them checked while being on the safe side, so it’s better to take help from them instead of trying yourself. The professionals at City Wide Electric have the right tools and equipment to identify any electric shorts around your house. We understand how important your and your family’s safety is, so we make sure to provide you with the best possible electric solutions. City Wide Electric is the leading electrical repair and maintenance company in Claremont. If you suspect any electric issues around your house, please contact us for scheduling an appointment today.