If you are like many homeowners, you probably don't give a lot of thought to your home's electrical system until something goes wrong. This is quite normal since residential electrical systems are designed to stay out of sight and often stay out of mind. Unfortunately, this can also lead to serious electrical problems since many homeowners fail to spot the warning signs that mean their electrical system needs repairs or upgrades. Thankfully, you can help to avoid finding yourself in this position by taking just a few moments to learn more about some of the warning signs that indicate it's time for you to contact an electrician.  

Frequent Or Constant Use Of Extension Cords

There is nothing wrong with using extension cords from time to time in order to plug in an extra item or supply power in an area without an electrical outlet. However, these cords are not designed to be used as a permanent solution within your home. Using extension cords to make up for an insufficient number of outlets could put your home at a greater risk of an electrical fire. If you are using extension cords on a frequent or even a constant basis, you need to contact an electrician in order to explore the possibility of having additional outlets installed in your home. 

Circuit Breakers Trip Frequently

Circuit breakers are designed to cut power to a specific electrical circuit in your home if this circuit attempts to draw too much power at once. Once this breaker has been tripped, the breaker switch inside your fuse box will need to be reset in order to restore power to the circuit. This is a very important safety measure that can help to prevent electrical fires and power surges. While it is quite normal for you to have to reset a circuit breaker from time to time, this is not an action that you should be taking on a regular basis. If your circuit breakers are tripping on a frequent basis, it is definitely time to call an electrician in order to determine what repairs or upgrades are needed. 

Flickering And Dimming Lights

Have you ever noticed that how bright the lights are in your home depends on what appliances are being used at the time? If so, this is a strong indication that your home's electrical system may require some upgrades. This is because each electrical circuit in your home is capable of delivering a limited amount of voltage at any given time. If you have high voltage appliances in your home, they will likely take up a large portion of the circuit's available voltage whenever they are turned on. This can result in your lights dimming or flickering when the appliance is in use. Contacting an electrician to upgrade the circuit can provide you with the level of power you need in order to prevent this issue in the future. 

Contact a local electrician to learn more.