As we continue through the spring and prepare for the summer, it is imperative to give your electrical system the same preventative-maintenance type of treatment as you would for your random appliances around the house, such as your air conditioning or heating unit or your water heater.

One thing you definitely want to steer clear of an electric arc, which is defined by Wikipedia as “an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media, such as air.”

Checking your electrical system should be a regular spring routine. In an effort to control arcing, here are some things to look for as your perform your routine maintenance.

• Check for burn marks: Burn marks at the main electrical panel can be a sign of arcing inside the panel. Arcing, which can be caused by loose connections or even damaged insulation, can lead to a bad fire.
• No unnecessary ignitions: All paper items or anything material that is considered combustible must be removed from the area of the main electrical panel. Items such as flammable liquids or even cardboard should be removed. Sparks caused by arcing can ignite these materials.
• Check each outlet: Make sure you know where your loose-fitting plugs are, as they can be a sign of a worn-out receptacle. These should be replaced immediately, as they can cause overheating and electrical fires.

For all of your maintenance issues, make sure you have a well-trained professional assigned to the task. Call our Dallas TX electricians at J-Five Electric today to schedule an appointment for your spring maintenance project. Contact our Dallas electrical company today, or visit us online for details.