Looking into how electrical sockets get damaged, what they can be dangerous and how you can get them fixed

1. Electrical socketdamage explained
Electrical systemscanbe complicatedandif nothandledcorrectly,the damage canbe verysevere.
By takingsimple precautionsyoucanreduce the riskof bodilyinjuries,death,andfire.Asabusiness
ownerthere are a fewpreventiveassessmentsyoucando.For example,PATTest,Visual analysisof
your electrical equipment/searchforanyelectrical socketdamage.Inthisarticle we focusonthe
latter.So,howcan youtell if youhave electrical socketdamage?
Electrical Damage WarningSigns
 Flickering/DimmedLights
 Smell of smoke orburning
 TrippingElectrical breaker
 Crackedand corrosion
Flickeringlights
Whenyour lightsare flickering,dimming,orbuzzing,thiscanbe a signof an electrical issue.The
cause of thiscouldbe a loose connection,faultyelectrical outlets,orthe plugsocketsare unable to
withstandthe loadof the electrical appliances.Inaddition,The plugsocketmaybe outdatedorfaulty
due to mechanical wearandtear.These powersocketsare prone to shortcircuitsthat may cause
heavydamage.We advise youtoget thisissue checkedbya qualifiedelectricianasyoumayneedto
replace the powersocketwithasuperiormodel thatcan deliverahigh-qualityperformance.
Smell of smoke or burning
If your powersocketshave visible heatscorchmarksor producinga burningplasticodour,theymay
have alreadysufferedfromanelectrical fault.There are several reasonsastowhythishas
happened;overloadedsocket,damagedwires,dustbuildup,faultyappliances,corrosion,orpoor
installation.Torectifythisfault,contactanemergencyelectriciansuchasour teamof engineers.We
will guide youthroughthe processof safelyswitchingoff the powerinthe affectedarea.Following
thiswe will inspectyourelectrical systemtolocate the problem.
Tripping electrical breaker
If your building'sconstantlylosingpowerincertainareas,thisisa signof a trippedelectrical breaker.
Commercial electrical wiringissplitintoseparate electrical circuits,whenasingle circuithasa
problemthatbreakerwill trip.If the affectedareacontinuouslytripsyoushouldtake thisasa sign
that the powerisbeingoverworked.Toresolve this,the powersystemwill oftenneedtobe
replacedtohelpincrease the powersupplyandrestore the functionalityof yourelectrical wiring.
Because commercial unitsare splitintoelectrical circuits,youcancontinue yourbusinessoperations
inthe non-affectedareas.Thissplitalsoplaysasanadvantage because itmeansthe electricianwill
be able to locate the problemalot quicker.
Common faultscausing the electrical breakerto trip
 Groundingfault

2.  Arc fault
 Overloadedcircuit
 Short circuit
Cracked or corrosion on electrical cabling
Wear and tearcan sometimescause the plasticof anelectrical sockettocrack or accumulate dust.
Whena device ispluggedintothe powersocketfilledwithdebris,the dustbuildupwill eventually
leadto the formationof an electricarc.Electricarc’s can leadto electricshocksor firesof high
intensity.Inaddition,if ignoredthe dustbuildupcanleadto corrosionof the electricsocket.If you
notice a corrodedsocket,itshouldbe replacedimmediately.
Electrical Damage Conclusion
To summarize,it’simportanttorememberthatthe damage causedby electricitycanbe verysevere.
Whenyou’re experiencinganissue withelectrics,takingshortcutscan leadto propertydamage or
death.We highlyrecommendyoucontacta fullyqualifiedelectrician.If youhave acommercial
building,riskassessments, PATtestingandEICRtestsare a requirementbylaw.
About NM CablingSolutions - NetworkCabling Specialist
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Kingdom.
We have createda comprehensive KnowledgeCentre forourindustrywhichcanbe viewed
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