CHARLOTTE – These days, any comfortable living situation requires copious amounts of electricity. It’s no surprise that many homes run into an issue called electrical overloading. An electrical overload occurs when the amount of power a circuit can provide is exceeded by the combined power of devices plugged into it. Though most circuits have built-in protection against this issue (tripping a breaker), electrical overloads can still cause damage.

The single best way to avoid electrical overloads is to have enough outlets to handle all your devices. If you need more outlets in a particular room, you should be fine plugging in a single power board or double adapter. Don’t add more than a few as too many extension cords and double adapters could exceed the circuit amperage. For a more long-term solution, have a professional electrician install more outlets. If possible, have a dedicated circuit for your power-draining machines, like the air conditioner, washing machine, and so on.

Each circuit should have a number that tells you how much current it can hold, and you should always aim to take less than 80 percent of that number. Add up the amperage all your devices draw to see how much power is devoted to each circuit. If some of your circuits still can’t hold that much current, move some of your devices around to balance the levels out.

If you have electrical questions or concerns call GB Electrical Services at (980) 500-2378 or visit www.GetTheBestElectric.com.