Some Shocking Signs That It’s Time To Upgrade Your Outlets

Like most things around your house, your electrical outlets can be upgraded. Though you could upgrade them at any time, there are some telltale signs that they need to be replaced as soon as possible. Keep reading to learn about a few of the signs you should be watching for.

Outlets only have two prongs

If your outlets only have two prongs, call a licensed electrician in Carlsbad, NM right now to replace them. On top of preventing you from plugging in three-pronged cords, two-prong outlets are ungrounded, which means they’re a shock risk for your electronics. Keep in mind that just replacing your outlet isn’t enough—you’ll also have to rewire your electrical panel to ensure all of the new outlets are grounded.

Plugs fall out of sockets

The slots in your outlets stretch over time and become wider and wider. After a certain point, they might be too wide to hold your plugs. A plug falling out isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a fire hazard. Don’t risk starting a house fire—replace your outlets today!

Outlets are hot

Needless to say, your outlets shouldn’t get hot when you plug in your electronics. A hot outlet is a sign that there’s loose or damaged wiring somewhere behind the outlet panel. Have these outlets replaced sooner rather than later to avoid a house fire.

Outlets are discolored from heat

Short circuits often leave burn marks on outlets or the surrounding wall. That’s not just an eyesore—it’s a sign that something is amiss with your wiring and your outlet needs to be replaced. Never use a discolored outlet, and call an electrician to replace that outlet immediately.

Why upgrade your outlets?

Now that we know some signs that it’s time to replace your outlets, it might be helpful to know why you should do so. Here are a few reasons why a licensed electrician in Carlsbad, NM recommends swapping out your out outlets:

• Save space: Phones, tablets and a plethora of other devices require a USB port to charge up. These USB cords charge your devices fast, but they hog up a lot of outlet real estate. Consider upgrading your outlets with USB outlets to save a ton of space!
• Increase safety: As mentioned above, older outlets are fire hazards. Don’t risk starting a house fire—replace your outdated outlets with new ones today.
• Convenient operation: Advanced outlets now come with Wi-Fi that allows you to monitor your outlets from anywhere in the world! You can have total piece of mind that your coffee maker or curling irons weren’t accidentally left on if you can switch the outlet off with your smartphone.

Sure, you could potentially upgrade your outlets by yourself. All it takes is a screwdriver and some free time. That being said, we’ve seen in the past that DIY electronic work can be a bad idea. The risk of shocking yourself or ruining the wiring isn’t really worth the satisfaction you get from doing it yourself. If it’s time to replace your outlets, be sure to call a licensed electrician in Carlsbad, NM!

Categorised in: Electrician