When to upgrade wirings

Home electrical wirings can be outdated, and would need upgrades. (Photo Credits)

Ask any electrician about the risks of not updating home electrical wirings, and he will give you a litany of safety issues that can be avoided with an upgrade.

The concern though among homeowners is that most are not aware of the signs that point to a need for an electrical upgrade. Home improvement website HouseLogic gave a list of signs homeowners should watch out to determine the need for an upgrade. American Lighting Association

“Faulty wiring is the leading cause of residential fires, according to a 2009 study by the National Fire Prevention Association. And the older your house is, the greater the chances that the wiring might be outdated or unsafe. Old wiring—even knob and tube wiring that dates back to the early 20th century—isn’t inherently dangerous, but unless you were around when the house was built, you can’t be sure the electrical system is up to code. Plus, materials such as wire insulation can deteriorate over time.”

Read the signs that they mentioned in their blogpost here.

Older home, older wiring

The website This Old House also offered a bit of advice on electrical wiring upgrades. In their blog post they mentioned about the wirings in older homes that need an upgrade and why it is critical for every homeowner to rewire. Master Electrician

“Today’s standard household wiring is a plastic-sheathed, insulated three-wire cable, universally known by the trade name Romex. But the vintage copper wiring in many older houses works just as well as the new stuff, as long as it’s in good condition and hasn’t been altered in a way that violates code. Here are some wiring systems you’ll find in older homes.”

Read the rest of the post here.

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Leading Insurance Provider State Farm also mentioned several signs that point to a need for a wiring upgrade. In one of their posts they drilled down the signs homeowners have to take note of.

“An electrical system will often display signs when there are potential problems. If you notice any of these warning signs, have an electrician inspect your electrical system: (1) Frequent blown fuses or tripped breakers (2) An over-amped or over-fused electrical panel; (3) Dimming or flickering lights, indicating the circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection (4) Hot or discolored switch plates, cords, or plugs. (5) Light bulbs that frequently burn out in a socket, signaling a fixture that can’t handle the bulb wattage (6) Buzzing or sizzling sounds; (7) A burning smell; (8) Arcs or sparks from an outlet when you plug or unplug a cord; (9) Loose outlets; (10) Cracked, cut, or broken insulation; (11) Electrical shock when you plug in or touch a cord.”

Check out the rest of the original post here.

Home wirings should be inspected at least on annual basis by a reputable electrician contractor to ensure safety.