Electricity – one of the most resourceful yet dangerous sources of energy. According to this report by NFPA, electrical failures were ranked the 2nd-leading cause of home fires in the US between the years 2012 and 2016. These statistics could only be higher considering that in most developing countries, significant incidences of electricity-related fires go unreported. 

So, it is imperative that you think twice before opening a wall socket, refrigerator or other electrical appliance in order to fix a fault. Indeed, electrical repairs, however insignificant they may appear, should always be left to professionals. In this post, we shall uncover the top 5 reasons why you should never attempt to conduct electrical repairs on your own.

1. Possible Electrocution

Electrocution is one of the main reasons as to why you should never attempt electrical repairs on your own. Electrocution basically refers to the electric shock you get when your body comes in contact with live electrical wires. 

In most cases, the shock does not lead to death, especially if it happens at home. However, the risks of death are always real, especially if there is an electrical surge at the moment of contact. All the same, the kind of stinging pain you get from the mildest form of electrocution is sufficient reason to contact your local electrician instead of repairing electrical fixtures on your own.

2. You Are Not Trained For It

Another reason you should shun the temptation of doing electrical repairs on your own is that you do not have the requisite skills and experience to handle the job. It takes months or years to be a certified electrician. You may understand the common concepts of life, earth and neutral wires. 

However, more serious aspects such as the amount of current or voltage passing through the electrical system in your house may require the insights of a qualified electrician for that. The mere fact that you are not trained for the job is reason enough not to attempt it.

3. Fire Threats

As you are obviously inexperienced with electrical repairs, you are bound to make blunders. And a small, subtle electrical blunder is usually one too many. 

A small spark that results from faulty connections could trigger a mega-scale fire and before you know it, the entire house could be razed down. If you are lucky enough to walk away with your life, you will be counting millions in losses. Plus, you could have a lawsuit filed against you for the arson attack.

4. Insurance

In the event of electrical fires, insurance companies would normally cover the ensuing damage through the homeowner’s insurance cover. This should come as good news only that it is not always that easy. Your insurer will need sufficient proof that the fire was accidental and not an act of negligence. 

They will especially require to know if the repairs that led to the fire were conducted by licensed electricians or not. If they find out you were attempting the repairs on your own, that’s how you will automatically lose out on compensation.

5. Voiding Warranties

This applies more for electrical appliances than electrical systems and fixtures themselves. Manufacturers of electrical appliances normally issue their products with warranties. 

If the appliance breaks down, the warranty will only be valid to the extent that all repairs are done by licensed technicians. As a matter of fact, certain manufacturers would have preferred repair shops depending on where you are located. Attempting repairs of any electrical appliance on your own only voids such warranties.

Conclusion

There are evidently so many reasons as to why electrical repairs should not be attempted by the average homeowner. Be it a fault with the system or appliance, always contact licensed electricians to examine and repair the problem.