A home's electrical system must be 100 percent safe to keep a family away from injuries and fire damage. Unfortunately, wiring boxes have a tendency to short out and even cause small fires. What causes this problem? Often, it may be the size of the electrical box.

Shorts Can Be Dangerous

When wires in an electrical box start shorting out, there are many possible dangers that can occur. For example, it can cause electrical problems that make it impossible to operate machinery. It can also cause small sparks that are particularly dangerous if the wires have been overfilled in the electrical box. This problem occurs more often than most people would think.

When these sparks occur, it is possible that fire could spread along the wires and either melt off the plastic covering or cause fire to spread in a home. Understanding the size of the electrical box and how this can be a problem is crucial before deciding on a fix.

Small Wiring Boxes May Be To Blame

Electricians who are rushing the job or who don't understand what they're doing may try to place too many wires in a wiring box. The problem here is that electricity is passing through all these wires. When they are jammed together too tightly in a box, it can cause the wires to overheat. This can cause shorts and other problems that can ruin a home's electrical system.

As a result, it is important to understand how to size up boxes properly and to know how many wires can fit in them. This is actually a relatively easy process, though not one that a homeowner should do on their own. That said, it is worth knowing how it is done.

Properly Sizing Up Boxes

There are a few different ways to gauge how many wires should fit inside of a box. Generally speaking, a good electrical box should have the acceptable number of wires printed on the side. This should indicate to the homeowner just how many wires are acceptable. It can also be gauged by how many holes are available for accepting wires.

That said, another good rule of thumb is to make sure that wires are touching as little as possible. The exact amount they can touch will vary, so it is important to talk to an electrician before trying to make any kind of DIY fixes.

Homeowners can carefully open their electrical boxes with an appropriate screwdriver and check the number of wires. If the box seems like it is too full to be safe, it is important to call an electrical inspector and have them check the box to ensure it is safe. Contact a company like Home Inspection Associate to learn more.

Share