6 Key Signs of Faulty Electrical Wiring and How to Resolve the Issue

Why Faulty Wiring Is More Dangerous Than You Think

Faulty electrical wiring isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a major safety hazard. In homes and businesses across Perth, hidden wiring faults can lead to electrocution, house fires, appliance failure, and costly insurance claims.

Many property owners ignore the early warning signs until it’s too late. That’s why understanding the signs and causes of faulty electrical wiring — and knowing how to fix them — is critical.

This blog explores six key considerations when diagnosing faulty wiring in your home or commercial building, along with practical advice on how to resolve the issue safely and professionally.

1. Flickering or Dimming Lights

If your lights regularly flicker or dim — especially when appliances like air conditioners or vacuums are in use — it could signal overloaded circuits or loose connections.

Causes:

• Worn-out wiring insulation

• Loose terminal connections

• Undersized wiring for power-hungry devices

What to do: A licensed Perth electrician can inspect the load on your circuits, test wiring integrity, and upgrade cables or install dedicated circuits as needed.

2. Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips

Circuit breakers are designed to trip when there's an overload or short circuit. However, repeated tripping is a clear sign something’s wrong with the wiring or connected devices.

Causes:

• Overloaded power points

• Poor-quality extension cords

• Short circuits due to degraded insulation or corrosion

What to do: Stop resetting the breaker repeatedly. Have a professional conduct electrical fault finding and test each line with a multimeter or thermal imaging.

3. Burning Smells or Scorch Marks

A burning smell coming from a power point or your switchboard is a serious warning.

Red flags:

• Discoloured wall outlets

• Charred switches or plugs

• The smell of melting plastic or burning insulation

What to do: Turn off power to the affected area and call an emergency Perth electrician immediately. Never use that circuit again until it has been tested and repaired.

4. Buzzing Sounds in Walls or Outlets

Electricity should be silent. If you're hearing buzzing or crackling sounds from a wall or outlet, that’s usually caused by arcing — where electricity jumps across gaps in wiring.

Causes:

• Loose terminals

• Damaged conductors

• Incorrectly installed fittings

What to do: This is not a DIY issue. A qualified electrician in Perth should dismantle the outlet or fitting and examine the connections and insulation.

5. Old Wiring Systems (30+ Years)

Homes and buildings in Perth built before the 1990s may still have outdated wiring systems like:

• VIR (Vulcanised Indian Rubber) insulation

• Cotton-insulated wiring

• Old fuse boxes with no RCDs

These systems are not only inefficient but dangerous. The insulation degrades over time, exposing conductors and increasing fire risk.

What to do: An electrical safety inspection will help identify outdated wiring and switchboard components. Upgrading your system ensures compliance with Australian standards and modern safety.

6. Outlets or Switches That Feel Warm or Vibrate

Outlets and switches should never feel hot to the touch. A warm or vibrating faceplate indicates excessive resistance or internal damage.

Potential causes:

• Overloaded circuits

• Loose terminals inside the wall

• Defective switches or sockets

What to do: A licensed Perth electrician can remove and replace the affected parts and ensure the circuit is safe to use.

The Real Risks of Ignoring Faulty Wiring

Faulty wiring is the number one cause of electrical house fires in Australia. Aside from physical risks, you could face:

• Denied insurance claims

• Property devaluation

• Legal liability in rental or commercial premises

Prevention is far cheaper and safer than repair after a disaster.

How Professional Fault Finding Works

When you hire an experienced electrician in Perth, here’s what a professional fault diagnosis typically involves:

1. Visual inspection of switchboards, outlets, and cable runs

2. Multimeter testing for continuity, resistance, and shorts

3. Thermal imaging to locate hotspots

4. Insulation resistance testing

5. Reporting on issues and recommendations for repair

Repair Options: What Happens Next?

Depending on the fault and its location, your electrician might:

• Replace degraded or damaged wiring

• Upgrade switchboards with modern RCD protection

• Add or split circuits to reduce overload

• Replace switches, sockets, and lighting fixtures

All work should be compliant with current AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules.

Preventing Wiring Problems in the Future

Ongoing electrical safety and maintenance is key:

• Schedule inspections every 5 years

• Upgrade your switchboard if it’s 20+ years old

• Use licensed trades only

• Avoid overloading power points or using daisy-chained extensions

Prevention saves lives, avoids major expenses, and ensures your property is legally compliant.

Why Choose Jarrah Group?

At Jarrah Group, we understand how critical electrical safety is. Our Perth electricians:

• Diagnose and resolve wiring faults quickly

• Use thermal imaging and advanced test tools

• Deliver clear reports and risk rankings

• Upgrade and maintain wiring to meet current codes

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, we provide fast, honest service and quality workmanship you can trust.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Signs

Electrical faults rarely fix themselves — they get worse. If something feels off, smells unusual, or trips more than once, don’t wait.

Get in touch with Jarrah Group for an expert fault diagnosis and permanent solution.

Jarrah Group — electrical safety, done right.