Electricity is the flow of electrons. This sounds rather complex, and in some ways, it really is. But many years of innovation have made it fairly simple for the average person to have and use electricity in their home. An electrician can run wires from the public electric lines to your home. They can then set up a panel box with multiple circuits to power all of your appliances, lights, and other electronics. All you have to do is plug things in and maybe flip a few switches. That's pretty awesome, and we decided to write more about it on this blog about electricians.
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If one of your electrical outlets isn't working, then it might need to be repaired or replaced. Or, it might have a temporary problem that you can fix. To find out more about what to do next, run the following checks.
Check for a Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse
If you've accidentally overloaded an outlet or have had a power surge, then your outlet's circuit breaker might have tripped or its fuse might have blown. Check if you have any tripped switches or blown fuses. If you have, then resetting the switch or changing the fuse might get the outlet working again.
However, you need expert help if the problem keeps happening. For example, if a circuit breaker keeps tripping or a new fuse immediately blows, then you should call an electrician to check the outlet.
Check the Outlet's Plug Fit
Outlets should hold plugs securely in place. However, faults in outlets sometimes prevent this from happening. For example, if the front of an outlet is loose, then the plug might not look like it is fully inserted. Its weight might pull the cover down. Or, if the outlet's internal contact points have worn down or broken, then they can't hold a plug in the socket. Both of these problems can be hazardous. A loose cover can pull on wires and make them spark; worn contact points can cause electrical arcs. You might need to replace the outlet.
Plug in Something Different
Sometimes, a power outlet seems to have died; however, it isn't actually the problem. If the item you plug into the outlet has a fault, then it might not work. The outlet itself could be OK. To check the outlet, plug in a different device or appliance. If this new item works, then the fault lies with the original item. If it doesn't work, then you have an outlet problem.
If an outlet isn't delivering power, then it could have a loose or damaged internal connection. If one of the outlet's wires has disconnected or broken, then its power circuit won't work. The outlet can't deliver any power until its circuit is fixed and complete again. This problem needs an expert fix. Stop trying to use the outlet and call out an electrician fast. While a problem wire kills the outlet's circuit, it can still carry electricity. If it heats up, then it can spark a fire in your walls.
To work out exactly what is wrong with your outlet, contact a local electrical service, such as Renegade Electrical.
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