The electrical systems found in mobile homes are the same as the site-built houses’ since they follow the same codes and requirements. With these similarities, people who are already “well-versed” in wiring and troubleshooting can quickly address the most common mobile home electrical problems mentioned below.
Outlet without power
If the circuit breakers are working properly, a dead outlet is often caused by a loose wire connection, which may cause the wire to overheat and eventually fail. If this is the problem, you can tighten them yourself, or if you’re uncomfortable working with electricity, call a professional.
But before you call a professional, you may want to first try this simple hack: Reset the corresponding breakers in the breaker box by simply pushing the handle to the “offside” and switching it back on.
Power surges
Power surges, especially when they occur simultaneously, may damage the electrical components in your home. Usually, they are caused by faulty appliances, damaged power lines, lightning strikes, and bad electrical wiring.
When you experience frequent power surges, try removing one electric device at a time. In some cases, faulty or cheaply made devices are causing this problem. But if this simple hack doesn’t stop the surges, your best bet is to call a professional electrician.
Circuit overload
Circuit overload happens when the load demand from electronic devices and home appliances is too much for the power outlets. To prevent overheating and fire, the breaker shuts off the power supply in the event of a circuit overload.
There is a quick-fix solution to this problem: Simply move some devices from the overloaded circuit to another circuit and make it a habit to unplug any device that you’re not using. Then, you can flip the breaker back on or replace the damaged fuse.
Flickering lights
There are several causes of flickering lights–circuit overload from heavy appliances, loose light plug, and old wiring.
Try to tighten the light plug and see if it flickers. If so, replacing it with a new one can address the problem immediately. And if not, you may want to unplug heavy appliances or electronic devices to see if therein lies the issue.
Exposed wires
If you have exposed wires on an electrical cord, the first step is to unplug the electrical wire from the outlet, then wrap the damaged parts with electrical tape until all the exposed areas are covered.
But for exposed bare wires from a terminal, you can address the problem by bending it in a half-moon shape to wrap it around the terminal clockwise. Then, secure it under a tightened terminal screw.
Loose outlet cover
This is a simple DIY project. After shutting off the electrical power to your mobile home, remove the old outlet with a screwdriver and install a new one.
Incorrect bulb wattage
When you install a bulb with a higher wattage to a lamp or chandelier, the thermal protective device in the fixture might be damaged because of the excessive heat, which also poses a risk of fire.
To prevent fire risk, always check the wattage limit on your light fixture before you purchase and install new bulbs.
Final Thought
If you don’t feel comfortable working with electricity or if you think that DIY hacks can’t solve your problem, it is safer and more cost-effective to contact a professional electrician than tinker with the electrical components in your home.
