Common signs of damaged electrical appliances

electrical testing

Here at Walker Electrical, we are Preston’s leading electrical experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about the most common signs of damaged electrical appliances.

What are the most common signs of damaged electrical appliances?

Electrical appliances make up an essential part of our daily routine. From lamps to fridge/freezers and other whitegoods, our electrical appliances are generally switched on all day, every day. But what if one of your electrical appliances was damaged. What would be the real risk? Well, in HMO’s, like student accommodation, or private rentals, the Landlord is fully responsible for the upkeep and condition of the electrical appliances that they have supplied. This should mean that regular PAT testing is in place to spot any potential signs of damage, or wear and tear, and to rectify this. But what should you be looking out for? Well, electrical appliances vary in size and durability. From the large screen TV, to the iron or the hairdryer. But the signs of damage are universal. And these include:

  • Loose wires- Does the cable wobble away from the connector? Is this movement more than an expected range of movement? This probably indicates that wires are loosening around the connection, even if the outer protective layer is still in place. These loose wires can cause short circuits, electrical fires, and electric shocks.
  • Exposed wires- Over time, the outer cord or protective layer can wear through, exposing the wires underneath. These can be extremely dangerous, and if these wires are touched accidentally, there is a high risk of an electric shock. In fact, if any of your appliances have exposed wires, you need to unplug them as soon as possible.
  • Discoloured sockets- If you notice that your sockets are discoloured, almost burnt, you can presume that the electrical appliance plugged into this socket will have been damaged by intermittent or spiking current.

For more information, or to book a PAT test for your residential or commercial property, get in touch with the experts today, here at Walker Electrical.