Electrical problems can occur at any time — and because these problems have been the second leading cause of electrical home fires for years, it’s vital to seek emergency electrical services ASAP. The sooner you work with emergency electricians for repairs, the safer you are from experiencing an electrical fire.
With the imminent risk associated with electrical emergencies, it’s important to understand which situations require emergency assistance from certified electricians. Equipped with this information, you’ll know when to hire a local emergency electrician.
What is considered an electrical emergency?
Not all commercial property owners know when to identify an electrical problem as a genuine emergency. Some might even experience failing circuit breakers, but because all devices or machines in their commercial properties still function, they fail to heed the problem and continue carrying on with their business’s daily operations.
If you live in or around Jackson, Mississippi, it’s best to call professional and experienced service technicians like Apex Electric for all your emergency electrical needs. We can diagnose the situation and provide high-quality electrical repairs.
Generally, the most common indicators of an electrical emergency are:
Unidentified Burning Smell
Does something smell like it’s burning inside your property? Do you notice that it continues to linger for days or weeks? Are your smoke detectors getting set off? Take the time to check all of your machines, outlets, and breaker box to see if you can find the source of this burning smell. An unidentified burning smell that often comes and goes is often a telltale sign of an electrical hazard and requires emergency services.
A Weird Sound In the Breaker Box
In general, a humming sound from the breaker box isn’t a cause for concern. Your breaker box makes this sound as it runs on an electrical current. However, if this sound continues to get louder, call for emergency electrical services immediately, as this usually means that your circuit breaker is overloaded.
When left unresolved, overloaded circuit breakers heat the wiring and trigger a life-threatening fire hazard on your property.
Circuit Breaker Trips Repeatedly
A circuit breaker that trips repeatedly is one of the most common electrical emergencies commercial property owners experience. There are plenty of reasons why this happens, namely:
- A ground fault is occurring, meaning a hot wire is touching the ground;
- The circuit breaker is about to go bad;
- The circuits are overloading as the breaker box can no longer accommodate them; or
- Wiring or appliances are short-circuiting, meaning the electrical flow is going outside the intended circuits.
Lights Always Flicker
Lights that occasionally flicker are a minor electrical problem, which you can repair on your own within minutes. However, when the flicker becomes more persistent, be wary. This is usually a sign of a bigger electrical emergency, namely excess voltage, loose wiring, or a circuit overload. All are dangerous and should be inspected by a local emergency electrician immediately.
Someone Received an Electrical Shock
There are several situations where one can experience electrical shock, such as:
- A switch or outlet with loose screws or wiring makes the electrical current unstable;
- Faulty appliances, including broken cords or frayed wiring that shock you when plugged in;
- Old outlets that are two-prong and no longer have a ground wire that acts as a safety barrier; or
- Water sources near electricity or touching outlets with wet or damp hands.
Electrical Blackout
Electrical blackouts usually happen because of a down power line or issues with your transformer. When the power in your property goes out, check nearby properties to see if they’re also experiencing an outage. If so, reach out to your local power company to request service immediately.
However, if the power outage is only on your property, it may be due to overloaded circuits or other serious electrical problems. To determine the cause, it’s best to call emergency electricians to investigate the situation and get your power restored.
Smoke Coming from an Outlet
Debris tends to build up in outlets. Electricity transfers to the dust or dirt, causing arcing, which creates heat. Heat is a common and immediate indicator of an electrical emergency that can start a fire when left unresolved. Other problems that cause outlets to smoke are wiring issues, unsecured connections, and plugging too many devices into one outlet.
Why Choose Apex Electric?
Electrical emergencies require an immediate response. The longer you leave these problems unattended or unresolved, the bigger impact they can have on your property. You don’t want your business operations to halt for days or weeks just because an electrical emergency has gotten out of hand, right?
The moment you notice any of the electrical emergencies mentioned here, immediately call Apex Electric. We have been serving commercial properties in and around Jackson, Mississippi, for years, making us one of the most trusted electrical contractors in the area.
We have over 17 years of electrical contractor experience and have an impeccable service record in our service areas. Our team is also licensed and insured, meaning you’re only getting the best quality of services and craftsmanship once you choose to work with us.
We provide a wide range of commercial electrical services, namely electrical installation and maintenance, electrical diagnostics and repairs, outlet and switch installation, specialty lighting, smoke detector replacement, and more. Reach us at (601) 813-8152 to learn more about Apex Electric and how our team can help you with your electrical emergencies.
