Have you ever wondered what can happen if your DIY electricity project failed? It isn’t like DIYing a bookshelf or fixing a leaking tap. DIY electrical work can result in something as serious as a house fire.
Maybe you think you have plenty of experience with the electrical stuff around the house and are willing to take the risk. No problem. But we must warn you never to try the following jobs as they can be highly dangerous to your family, your property and you.
Here are the five electrical jobs that must always be left for the professional electrician.
1. Replacement of the breaker box
Also known as the command panel, this is a highly complex and hazardous center of electricity for your home. Replacing the box is an important task and must be never tried by an inexperienced person.
Nowadays, most of the breaker boxes are designed to bear the circuit overloads. But the houses built before 1990 do not have such a safety procedure on the place. This means if even if you make a minute mistake with the replacement of the box, it can lead to a dangerous house fire or a painful electric shock.
To avoid this, you must always call a professional electrician whenever you need an inspection or repair of the breaker box.
2. Rewiring of your home
Are you experiencing frequent tripping of circuit breakers? Or blown out fuses?
Have you noticed a burning smell around the electricity switch boards? Or A sizzling sound?
Are your switches charred? Or discolored?
If you’re experiencing any of these, you require a rewiring. Rewiring, apparently, requires advanced electrical know-how and isn’t something that can be done by an untrained person.
Moreover, the safety of your home is highly affected by the electrical wiring, and therefore, it would be a huge mistake to take the risk while getting this job done.
3. Choosing cables and wires
Electrical wires come in different sizes, and each one has its appropriate use. Picking up the wrong size or not being careful about their use can lead to overheating and short circuiting.
The wires must match accurately with the devices you are going to use. Only a professional electrician has enough technical knowledge to figure this electrical jargon.
4. Going for outlet upgrades
When was the electrical system in your home improved? Are the outlets GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)?
GFCI outlets have built-in circuit breakers that prevent damage to an electrical appliance in case of some fault and decrease the chances of electrocution.
If your home’s outlet isn’t GFCI, you’re putting yourself at a significant risk. Call a professional electrician and get an upgrade.
5. Dealing with blown out fuses
Do you need to replace a blown fuse? Of course, you think it is an easy task. But do you know that most of the times people end up replacing the old fuses with large ones? These are again prone to get blown off, and you will find yourself repeating this task again and again?
If only you had sought professional help in the first go, you would have saved yourself from the unnecessary trouble. Also, frequent tripping of fuse implies that there’s an issue in the circuit wiring that is a no-touch zone for inexperienced people.
In hopes of saving money, most of the people end up damaging their property, getting injured and paying more than it would have cost to hire a professional electrician.
We expect something better from you, especially after you have read about the five things that must be handled by a licensed electrician.
Is there some electrical issue you’re not sure on whether you should fix yourself or call an electrician? Mention it the comments below. We can help.
