Power outlet overloads can wreak havoc on your electrical appliances and put your home’s safety at extreme risk. This can happen any time too much power flows through an electric wall socket, whether there is too much power drawn or a surge is sent through the circuit. It is important for every homeowner and resident to understand how to avoid power outlet overloads and what to do if you see one.
Discover the signs, causes, and practical prevention tips to keep your electrical system secure. Let’s talk about how to reduce the risk of potentially dangerous overloads.
A power outlet overload is when too much electricity goes through your power outlet. Its metal components are not designed to handle that much electricity and, ideally, the circuit breaker will trip and disconnect the entire circuit of the house. In a non-ideal situation, your appliances could be damaged, wires in the outlet might burn, or an electrical fire can even be started.
Power overloads occur for two reasons. The most common reason is that too many appliances (or a few appliances with too much amperage) were plugged into the same outlet. This often occurs with the use of extension cords and power strips.
The second reason is that a power surge, as from a lightning strike or problem in the power lines, will fry your outlet from the inside and possibly send a surge through to your appliances. This becomes an electrical safety risk because an overload can potentially cause a fire or cause your appliances to fry and malfunction.
You can recognise a power outlet overload occurring before the breaker is flipped and before the wires inside the outlet overheat. There are a few clear signs that indicate a power outlet might be overloaded:
These signs are typically easy to recognise, if you know what to look for. If you see them, these signs should never be ignored.
Power outlet overloads are typically caused by overloading the power demands on your outlet. Fortunately, you can learn to avoid the circumstances that put the power outlet at risk of overloading.
How can you prevent power outlet overloading? By avoiding the causes, you can usually help to protect your power outlets from overloading. Here are a few smart ways to protect your outlets:
The most difficult may be distributing devices without daisy-chaining power strips. We know that you want power where you want power, even if an outlet is not available. However, with the use of extension cords and surge-protecting power strips, you can redistribute the power load. Even if the outlets are all on the same circuit, each one has an individual amount of electricity that it can handle.
Another great way to take care of your outlets is to keep track of the electrical “load” on your wiring system. Each appliance has a load, an amount of energy it needs to run. Many appliances require 12 volts, many more require 5v, but household appliances like the dryer or microwave can take devastatingly more.
Keep track of your electric load by checking the informational label on every appliance, computer, light, and electric toy. You can determine the load first by calculating the wattage of each device (voltage x amperage).
An outlet can handle up to 1800 watts at a max of 120 volts and 15 amps.
Of course, electrical safety doesn’t stop and start at the outlet. There are many important tips about electrical safety we can share to help keep your home and family safe.
The best way to keep your home safe is through ongoing vigilance and avoiding known risks. By understanding the signs, causes, and preventative measures, you can keep your electrical system in top condition and reduce the risk of overloading your power outlets.
If you have a power outlet that has already overloaded, you may notice scorch marks and you might be quite reasonably afraid to use it again. Astley Electrical can help. Contact us today to consult on electrical issues in your home and the safe, expert electrical repairs you may need.
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