In a world full of YouTube tutorials, it is not uncommon for many homeowners to attempt to complete their own electrical projects. However, it is important to understand that even minor electrical repairs can be incredibly dangerous or deadly if the proper precautions aren’t considered. This article will explore some of the common dangers of DIY electrical work and explain why it is work best left to a licensed professional.
Electricians Require Extensive Education
The average electrician will require, at a minimum, to attend courses for months and then complete at least four years of on-the-job training before becoming licensed. In fact, many professional electricians have spent up to two years inside a classroom to master their trade and will continue to pursue constant training to stay up-to-date. When put in this perspective, it is easy to see that a quick tutorial likely isn’t enough to complete a project safely or up to code.
Minor Mistakes Can Lead to Fire Hazards
Mastering electrical work isn’t just about ensuring that you don’t get shocked when working on a project. Poor electrical installations or repairs can lead to an increased fire risk, and faulty wiring might not become a real problem until years down the road. Hiring a professional electrician instead of doing DIY electrical work guarantees that your job has been completed successfully and within code compliance.
Electrocution Can Be Fatal
Dealing with DIY electrical problems comes with intense risks of being electrocuted – or even death. The average residential home rests at around 110 volts; however, many modern appliances pull higher voltages. This means that a minor mistake could lead to fatal electrocution. This factor alone is often enough a reason to leave your electrical repairs to an expert to rely on their extensive training and licensure to complete the job safely.
Electrical Work Requires a Permit
In Oklahoma, an electrical permit can only be granted by an authorized government agency. Anyone who attempts to do DIY electrical work is operating outside of the confines of the Electrical License Act and could face a misdemeanor charge. Don’t risk committing a crime punishable by a fine that could have covered the cost of an electrician or the threat of jail time for up to one year to complete DIY electrical work.
