When Do You Need A Residential Wiring Upgrade?
Posted on: 2 March 2022
Is the electrical system in your home becoming a hazard with constant sparking, shorts, and tripped circuit breakers? You need to assess the wiring and its suitability to your current power needs. Today's homes have higher power demands because of the myriad of appliances, gadgets, and power tools that need power. Degraded or mismatched wiring poses a risk and can cause electrical shocks, fires, and damage to electronics. When do you know it is time to call residential wiring services to upgrade?
1. When You Have Aluminum Wiring
Aluminum wiring was the standard in homes many years ago. It is recognizable by its white or gray color and flexible rubber sheathing. However, it has limitations for today's homes regarding carrying capacity. Aluminum wiring can deteriorate over time, especially if not installed properly or if there are sharp bends in the wire.
When this happens, you may experience frequent tripping of circuit breakers, dimming lights, and sparks in your home's light fixtures. You should call residential wiring services to replace this aluminum wiring.
2. When Old Wiring Has Safety Issues
Older wiring is not protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These are safety devices that monitor the current flow and shut off the power if there is a problem. The result is that you could receive a shock from a faulty appliance or tool or even get electrocuted if standing in water when the power goes out. An electrician can recommend the best course of action to upgrade your wiring and protect you and your family.
3. When You Need Dedicated Circuits
In a standard electrical panel, power is shared by all the circuits that branch out from the main circuit breaker. But a dedicated circuit allows you to use a specific circuit for a specific appliance or tool. For example, you may want a dedicated circuit for your dishwasher so the other electrical devices in your home won't be affected if the dishwasher trips the circuit breaker.
You may also want a dedicated circuit for an air conditioning unit so that it doesn't use up all of your home's power during peak hours in the summer. Again, you can do residential wiring upgrades to establish these dedicated circuits.
4. When Remodeling
When you are planning a home remodel, you may want to think about upgrading your electrical system at the same time. It is generally much cheaper to install new wiring when walls are open and you are already working on other aspects of the remodel. You will also have more control over the layout of the electrical wiring. The new room may require more outlets, which requires a change in the wiring.
Are you concerned about the safety and inadequacy of your home's electrical system? Call a residential wiring service like Moss Contracting to assess and make recommendations for upgrades.
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