Common Electrical Myths You Might Believe
When it comes to your electrics, you might find issues that are absolutely fine, you may be anxious about something you don’t need to be or you may even push away electrical professionals because of misconceptions or myths you hear of. We are here to help you understand the common electrical myths and why a lot of these are completely wrong! Continue reading this blog for more…
The Types of Myths
- Home & Everyday Electrical Myths
- Safety & Risk Myths
- DIY & At-Home Fix Myths
- Wiring & Age-Related Myths
- Electrician & Trade Myths
Home
1: Flickering lights are normal, especially in older homes
While the occasional flicker can happen, frequent or consistent flickering usually points to a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or ageing wiring. These issues don’t fix themselves and can get worse over time if ignored.
2: If it hasn’t caused a problem yet, it’s probably fine
Electrical issues often build quietly. Just because something is still working doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many serious faults show no obvious warning signs until they become urgent.
3: Tripping power always means there’s a faulty appliance
Appliances can cause trips, but they’re not always the culprit. Overloaded circuits, wiring issues, or outdated switchboards are just as common and often overlooked.
Safety Risks
1: Circuit breakers prevent all electrical dangers
Circuit breakers are designed to reduce risk, not eliminate it completely. They don’t always detect loose connections, overheating wires, or hidden faults inside walls.
2: If it hasn’t shocked you, it isn’t dangerous
Electrical systems can be unsafe without delivering a shock. Heat build-up, damaged insulation, and faulty wiring can all pose serious risks long before anyone gets hurt.
3: Turning the power off makes any electrical job safe
Switching the power off helps, but it doesn’t make electrical work risk-free. Incorrect isolation, stored energy, or wiring mistakes can still cause serious injury or damage.
DIY
1: If the power is off, it’s safe to work on
Turning off the power reduces risk, but it doesn’t guarantee safety. Incorrect isolation, shared circuits, or hidden wiring can still cause serious problems.
2: Small electrical jobs are fine to do yourself
Jobs that look simple, like changing switches or fittings, can quickly become unsafe if wiring is incorrect or damaged in the process.
3: Watching a tutorial makes it safe to try
Online videos rarely show the full picture. Every home’s electrical system is different, and missing one small detail can lead to faults or long-term safety issues.
Wiring
1: Old wiring is safe as long as it’s still working
Wiring can deteriorate over time even if everything appears to be functioning normally. Age, heat, and wear can all increase the risk of faults.
2: If a home passed inspection years ago, it’s still compliant
Electrical standards change, and so does the condition of wiring. A system that was once compliant may no longer meet current safety requirements.
3: Wiring lasts forever if it hasn’t been touched
Even untouched wiring can degrade. Materials age, insulation breaks down, and connections loosen over time, especially in older properties.
Electrician & Trade Myths
1: Electricians are only needed for big jobs
Many electrical issues start small. Calling an electrician early can often prevent larger, more expensive problems later on.
2: Call-outs are always expensive
The cost of a call-out is often far less than the cost of repairing damage caused by an unresolved electrical issue.
3: Any electrician can do any electrical job
Different electrical work requires specific experience and qualifications. Choosing the right electrician for the job matters more than many people realise.
Why Electrical Work Matters
Our work matters because you can truly rely on it. While DIY may seem necessary in some cases, professional electrical services are often the better option in the long run and can give you peace of mind that your electrics are safe, high quality, and built to last.
With our team, we have years of experience working with a wide range of customer needs. This means you can trust us to get the job done properly, while ensuring professionalism and expertise throughout every stage of the work.
We understand that many of these myths are very common and can affect how homeowners view electrical companies like ours. At Dawson’s Electrical, we are here to challenge those misconceptions and prove that we are a reliable option near you.
What We Look For That You Might Not
There are many electrical faults but equally there are lots to it that mean something could be going on ‘behind the scenes’ that you would be far less aware of without the help of a team like ours. The following are great examples of this:
- Load calculations
- Heat signs
- Connection quality
- Compliance details
Contact Dawsons Electrical Today!
Get in touch with our team at Dawsons today We are here to help from the small scale issues to emergencies. Regardless of your needs, you can use our enquiry form or give us a call on 01908 822771.