Electrical wiring does not last forever. Cable insulation deteriorates over time, connections loosen and old materials can no longer meet today's power demands. An installation older than twenty years carries a serious risk factor and must be checked by a professional.
The clearest sign of old wiring is frequent tripping. If the breaker keeps tripping when you run a particular appliance or when several appliances are used at once, it shows the installation is overloaded. Old installations have few circuits and cannot distribute the power modern life needs.
Darkened or melted sockets need urgent action. Brown or black marks on the socket surface show that it has overheated at that point. This is a warning of a short circuit and fire. Such a socket must be taken out of use immediately and replaced by an electrician.
A smell of burning from walls or sockets must never be ignored. This smell is a sign that insulation material is melting from heat. As soon as you notice it, switch off the breaker for that area and call for expert help.
Flickering or dimming lights point to voltage fluctuation. This may come from a loose connection on the main line or problems on the neutral line. Constant voltage fluctuations also damage your electronic devices.
Aluminium wiring is often seen in old buildings and carries a much higher fire risk than copper cable. Aluminium oxidizes over time and causes resistance to rise at connection points.
If your home's installation shows even one of these signs, contact an electrical engineer or a qualified electrician without wasting time. The cost of renewing an installation is very low next to the cost of a fire or an electrical accident.
