Out With The Old Outlets

How often do you think about the wear and tear your home’s electrical outlets go through? Plugging in cell phone chargers, vacuums, kitchen appliances, lamps and other appliances daily does eventually break down the strength of that outlet. When an outlet becomes loose, it is a major concern for a fire hazard and should be addressed immediately. 

Loose electrical outlets are very dangerous as the problem is often hidden beneath the surface. What is really loose is the wiring behind the panel. When the wiring behind the panel is loose, it creates a high-energy discharge between the two loose blades. This is known as an arc fault and can release an incredibly high amount of heat in a short period of time— over 35,000° F to be exact. 

Instantaneously, this fire can start behind the walls of your home igniting the insulation and other flammable materials within seconds. The loose outlet you thought was no big deal, is now causing a house fire. 

However, you will be able to tell that the outlet is loose before it becomes a dangerous home fire hazard. The most common tell-tale sign is that cords won’t want to stay in. And in some cases, you’ll be able to feel the outlet moving underneath your hand when you go to plug something in. 

The best thing to do if you notice the signs of a loose outlet is to take note of it, stop using the outlet immediately and call Charlotte’s local electricians at NuBlue. 

Want to be proactive in preventing an electrical disaster? Installing Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters to all of the circuits in your home is the most reliable way to know when something is wrong. When the AFCIs detect an arc fault, they will cause the circuit breaker to cut. 

It’s also a good idea to have your electrical system inspected regularly by a professional electrician so that any potential problems hiding beneath the surface can be found before they become problems. 

If now you’re thinking about that pesky outlet in your home that won’t hold any cord, it’s time to give the team at NuBlue a call or book your appointment online. Serving the Charlotte and Lake Norman area, our team of expert electricians will be right there to help light up your life and restore safety to your home.