Everything to know about Electric Short

What causes Electric Short?

The cause of an electrical short is when the hot wire (the wire carrying the current to appliances) makes contact with a neutral wire (which is the wire that provides the return path to the electrical panel) or the ground wire (the green or bare wire that also returns the electricity to the electrical panel, especially during a short circuit). 

What causes this to happen?

• Aged wiring- As wires age, they can deteriorate and become a safety hazard. Older homes might even have aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring, making the chances of overheating and short circuits greater.
• Damaged or weakened wire insulation- The wires within your home and appliances are insulated to prevent contact, but if this insulation is damaged, you could observe more frequent shorts. Damage can come from natural wear and tear, or even rodents chewing through it.
• Incorrect or loose wiring- Lastly, if the wiring is loose or installed incorrectly, wires are more likely to touch, creating a short.

How To Check If You Have an Electrical Short

It is important to look for warning signs of electrical circuits so that one can detect potential damage early on and prevent any miss happening. 

1. Check for any burning smell or smoky odors around your outlets.
2. Check for warm spots on your wall, far away from heat sources.
3. Check for discolored spots or burn marks around your outlets.
4. Check if a certain circuit breaker, maybe in your kitchen or home office, tripping more frequently over time.
5. When you see exposed wires in a basement, crawl space, or other such areas, check for any signs of damage to the wires.

If you see any of these signs, there is a high probability that you have an electrical short. 

How to prevent an electric short?

1. Check appliances before use- check your appliances before plugging them in as well. Short circuits can also be caused by faulty wiring or circuitry from the appliance itself. Before every use, check appliances for these signs:

• Damaged cords, casing, or wire.
• Several cracks in the appliance.
• The appliance has exposed circuitry.

If any of these signs apply, we recommend either disposing of or having a professional repair your appliance.

2. Reduce Electrical Usage During Storms

One of the most dangerous ways a short circuit can happen is by a lightning strike, as the overwhelming amount of electricity can lead to some serious damage.  During a storm, try to reduce electrical usage.

About Electrogrip

Electrogrip is a chemical earthing manufacturer in Kolkata. We also specialize in ESE Lightning Protection System, and Backfill Compound and also provide maintenance-free chemical earthing.