 Electrical socket damage explained. Electrical systems can be complicated and if not handled correctly, the damage can be very severe. By taking simple precautions you can reduce the risk of bodily injuries, death, and fire. As a business owner, there are a few preventive assessments you can do. For example, pack test, visual analysis of your electrical equipment, and search for any electrical socket damage. In this video, we focus on the latter. So, how can you tell if you have electrical socket damage? Electrical damage warning signs. 1. Flickering or dimmed lights. 2. Smell of smoke or burning. 3. Tripping electrical breaker. 4. Cracked and corrosion. Flickering lights. When your lights are flickering, dimming, or buzzing, this can be a sign of an electrical issue. The cause of this could be a loose connection, faulty electrical outlets, or the plug sockets are unable to withstand the load of the electrical appliances. In addition, the plug socket may be outdated or faulty due to mechanical wear and tear. These power sockets are prone to short circuits that may cause heavy damage. We advise you to get this issue checked by a qualified electrician as you may need to replace the power socket with a superior model that can deliver a high quality performance. Smell of smoke or burning. If your power sockets have visible heat scorch marks or produce a burning plastic odor, they may have already suffered from an electrical fault. There are several reasons as to why this has happened, overloaded socket, damaged wires, dust buildup, faulty appliances, corrosion, or poor installation. To rectify this fault, contact an emergency electrician such as our team of engineers. We will guide you through the process of safely switching off the power in the affected area. Following this, we will inspect your electrical system to locate the problem. Tripping electrical breaker. If your building's constantly losing power in certain areas, this is a sign of a tripped electrical breaker. Commercial electrical wiring is split into separate electrical circuits, when a single circuit has a problem that breaker will trip. If the affected area continuously trips you should take this as a sign that the power is being overworked. To resolve this, the power system will often need to be replaced to help increase the power supply and restore the functionality of your electrical wiring. Because commercial units are split into electrical circuits, you can continue your business operations in the non-affected areas. This split also plays as an advantage because it means the electrician will be able to locate the problem a lot quicker. Common faults causing the electrical breaker to trip. 1. Grounding Fault. 2. Arc Fault. 3. Overloaded Circuit. 4. Short Circuit. Cracked or corrosion on electrical cabling. Wear and tear can sometimes cause the plastic of an electrical socket to crack, or accumulate dust. When a device is plugged into the power socket filled with debris, the dust build-up will eventually lead to the formation of an electric arc. Electric arcs can lead to electric shocks or fires of high intensity. In addition, if ignored, the dust build-up can lead to corrosion of the electric socket. If you notice a corroded socket, it should be replaced immediately. Electrical Damage Conclusion. To summarize, it's important to remember that the damage caused by electricity can be very severe. When you're experiencing an issue with electrics, taking shortcuts can lead to property damage or death. We highly recommend you contact a fully qualified electrician. If you have a commercial building, risk assessments, pat testing and EICR tests are a requirement by law. For further assistance or a free survey, please email or call on the details below, and click like and subscribe if you have enjoyed this video.