What causes a sparking outlet?
Have you ever noticed a slight spark when you plug in your appliances? Maybe a little blue zip of electricity with a hair dryer, or a hand blender. If you’re not technology-savvy, this phenomenon might scare you! After all, when it comes to electrical appliances, equipment, or wiring, everyone understands that when the sparks start flying, it can be very scary. So what causes a sparking outlet? Is it dangerous? At TriStar Electric, we understand outlets to a tee. Read on to learn all about sparking outlets and when you should be concerned!
What’s the Cause of Sparking Outlets?
To understand sparking and its causes, it is important to know a bit about how an outlet works. You can think of an outlet like a supply line, doling out the electricity allowed to your home in measured quantities per circuit. In the United States, our electrical outlets run a high, fast, and hot current of about 115 to 240 volts. The essential thing to know about sparking is that it always happens when you plug in one of your appliances. The fast, hot current floods the plug at the moment of contact, and for a split second, the connection is being established. This is what forms a spark.
Do You Have a Sparking Outlet? Here’s When to Call the Professionals
Any time you feel scared or concerned about your electricity, contact a team of professionals from TriStar Electric. We don’t want to see you in dire straits, and helping you is what electricians like us are here for! Sparking outlets are a concern if:
- The spark keeps going: if the spark lasts longer than the brief moment of contact, turn off your electricity at the panel and then unplug your appliance. Next, contact the professionals immediately. A persistent spark means there’s long-term damage in the outlet wiring, and this carries a real risk of electrical fires.
- You smell burning or smoke: if any of these weird smells follow a spark when plugging in your appliance, it typically indicates that a wire has melted, and the wires are not supposed to be making contact but are doing so. This is dangerous and could be a fire hazard.
- Bigger sparks: as we’ve said before, the spark should be a small blue spark, if you could even see it at all. Bigger yellow sparks or a number of other sparks could mean there’s an issue with your wiring, and has to be looked at right away.
For ALL of Your Residential or Commercial Electrical Needs, Call TriStar Electric!
No matter the job, big or small, the professionals at TriStar Electric will be happy to discuss your project and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer free in-home consultations, plus an after-hours and emergency phone line for advice or service!
If you have any questions about our electrical repairs or upgrades, please contact TriStar Electric, Maryland’s’ premier residential and commercial electrician, by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880. Or, you can fill out the contact form on our website.
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