When it comes to electrical defects found in the home, double tapping would have to be the most common. However, just because double tapping is common does not make it okay. Some electricians may see double tapping as a “shortcut,” but like most shortcuts, it’s not worth it. Double tapping can actually be very dangerous. In this post, we’ll explain what double tapping is, why it’s dangerous, and what to do about it.
What is a “double tap?”
First off, what is a double tap? A double tap occurs when your electrician attaches two wires to one specific breaker or one terminal on a breaker. Almost all breakers are designed to only handle one wire per terminal. Although there are a few manufacturers that design breakers that have terminals that can take two wires, these are not common. Most likely, if you see two wires attached to one terminal on your breaker, you can be pretty sure it is not supposed to be that way.
Why is it dangerous?
Most breakers are only designed to take one wirer per terminal, or the load of one circuit. When you have two wires attached to one terminal, you can overload the circuit. This can cause the connection to fail, and you will find that you start having power problems with that circuit. Even if you don’t notice problems right away, the overheating may be slowly causing corrosion of the wires.
Another more serious issue is the possibility of arcing. If the wires start coming loose, because again the breaker was not designed to securely hold two wires, the result can be sparks which are caused by the electrodes combing with the gases in the air. The creation of these sparks is called arcing. Arcing creates a very real potential of an electric fire starting.
What to do?
If you’ve noticed that you are losing power to one of your appliances or portions of your home, or just having problems with your breaker in general, a double tap could very well be the culprit.
Another more serious sign of a double tap is if you hear buzzing, hissing or popping coming from your circuit breaker. Sounds like this are a sign of arcing and you should seek professional electrical repair in Anaconda, MT immediately. However, regardless of the symptoms caused by your double tap, the solution is the same. Only a professional should repair a double tap to avoid further damage or possible injury.
A double tap is one of the most common electrical repairs that needs to be done in a home. The good thing is that, even though you need to call a professional that offers electrical repair in Anaconda, MT, repairing a double tap is usually fast and inexpensive. However, don’t think that means it’s not serious. Double taps present a very real risk to your home and the safety of you and your family. If you think you have a double tap, call in a professional right away!
