Dangers of an Overloaded Outlet and How to Prevent Them

Electrical fires caused by overworked electrical outlets are surprisingly quite common yet simple to avoid. An overheated outlet can cause Damage, which encourage flames thus making a very inconvenient and dangerous situation… a fire.  

What is an overloaded outlet? 

To keep it simple, an overloaded outlet is an outlet with multiple gadgets and appliances plugged into the same power source at the same time and exceeds its rated ampacity level. 

Where are overloaded circuits most common? 

Overloaded circuits are more commonly found in older homes with fewer outlets. In modern day builds, you will see very few outlets scattered throughout the Living space.  

The dangers of an overloaded outlet 

Aside from overheating damage to the device, overloading an outlet can cause electrical shocks, and possible fires.  

Some tips to help you prevent the dangers of an overloaded outlet in your home: 

Unplug large appliances when they are plugged into non dedicated circuits.  

Have a licensed electrician add another dedicated outlet. 

Know your outlet layout and where power is flowing. Or have an electrician assist you here. Understanding how many outlets are assigned to each breaker can help in avoiding an overloaded circuit.  

Use power strips with built in surge protection. This will allow more space for plugging things in.  

Call a professional: If your circuits keep tripping or your lights flicker when turning on appliances, call a trusted electrician to look. These could be signs of an overloaded circuit. 

In conclusion  

The common dangers of overloaded outlets can be avoided by acting. Fatal shocks and electrical fires do not need to be the reason you call for help. Notice the signs and act.