People love to explore their skills, and one way to do it is by getting involved in real DIY (do-it-yourself) projects. Homeowners, especially, love doing DIY projects to save time and money and learn how to deal with those things before the professionals come to the rescue.
They can try fixing minor things like changing light bulbs, replacing cables, sealing the damaged area, etc. Electrical systems are very complicated and dangerous, the problems of it are also quite common. For more significant projects and major problems, you should seek the help of experts from Commercial Electrician Toowoomba, as they are very efficient and affordable.
However, for smaller projects and minor repairs, you can DIY it. But even while handling those things, you might make mistakes. In this article, we shall discuss some common electrical mistakes DIYers make, so continue reading to know more.
Electrical Mistakes You Must Avoid
1. Connections Outside The Electrical Boxes: One of the common and horrifying mistakes people make is connecting the wires outside their electrical boxes. J-Box (Junction Box) protects the connections from any kind of damage. If connections aren’t available in the electrical box, install another box to reconnect the wires inside it.
2. Cutting Wires Short: Wires that are too short can make the connection difficult, and you may make poor connections which are very dangerous. Make sure to leave the wires long, at least 3 inches long. However, if you run short on a single wire, add 6 inches more as an extension into the existing wire.
3. Leaving Plastic Sheath Cables Uncovered: Cables are vulnerable when over or under the wall or ceilings, and plastic sheaths are prone to damage if left exposed. So, protect the exposed plastic sheath cables by screwing or nailing a 2 inches thick board. You can find all these materials from your nearest electrical store or Express Electrical.
4. Poor Support For Switches And Outlets: Loose outlets and switches look bad and are very dangerous. They can move around and loosen the wire from the terminal, which can cause fire hazards. Also, if they are exposed, they are susceptible to damage. So, fix loose outlets by screwing them to tighten the connection to the box.
5. Installing Cables Without Clamps: Cables not secured properly with a clamp can strain the connections. The metal boxes have sharp edges, which can cut the insulation of the cables. Therefore the cables must be adequately secured with the clamps to ensure it’s not being cut and the cable is not straining the connections.
6. Reversing Neutral And Hot Wires: Connecting the hot wire with the neutral terminal of the outlets can give it the potential to lethal shock. And the main problem is you might not recognize the mistake until someone gets a shock because everything will work fine but not safely. So, always connect the white wires to the neutral terminal.
Wrapping Up
Most people have solid skills in dealing with the electrical system, but since it’s tricky, they might also end up making a few mistakes. So, before getting your hands on them, learn all the instructions and take necessary precautions to avoid as many mistakes as possible. Otherwise, contact professional electricians from Express Electrical.
