As we all know, electric power works on a circuit. The short circuit occurs when a wire touches another wire or part of the circuit allowing a current to travel down an unintended path of less or no resistance. This situation may cause fire.
The short circuit can be caused by a number of factors, with some of them being:
- Faulty or damaged wire insulation,
- Chewed wires by pests,
- Loose cable connections in appliances,
- Old appliances
These may allow wire contact, which in turn may cause a short circuit and consequently a destructive fire.
How can I reduce the chances of a short circuit?
- The most common cause of a short circuit at home is the insulation damage around the wires, allowing contact with each other.
- It is therefore very important to monitor the devices (especially the old ones) for risk factors.
- It is advisable to unplug the devices when you are not using them, because many of your electronics still use power even when you turn them off.
- If you notice that there is a problem with the cables of your devices, it is better to call a technician.