While electrical wiring upgrades are messy and often expensive, they are sometimes necessary to ensure the wiring in an older home is able to handle the loads required for modern appliances and electrical devices. Homeowners need to be assured they can recognize the warning signs of problems so they will know when they need to contact an electrician regarding their residential wiring Wichita. If a home is over forty years old, it may be time to consider a wiring upgrade.
These signs should alert homeowners a wiring upgrade is needed:
• Breakers trip and fuses are blown on a regular basis
• Flickering lights are occurring throughout the home
• Home contains two-prong ungrounded outlets
• Outlets and switches feel warm to the touch
• No ground circuit interrupters in areas exposed to moisture
• Tingling sensation when touching appliances
Any of these signs should prompt homeowners to seek an electrical contractor to see if they need to upgrade their residential wiring Wichita. It is vital the wiring in a home is up-to-date and is not damaged in any way. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, faulty wiring is the biggest cause of home fires. The older a home is, the greater the chances the wiring is outdated and needs to be replaced.
Many homes built in the 60s and 70s were wired with aluminum wiring instead of copper which is now considered to be a major fire hazard. Aluminum wiring is more likely to overheat and can cause fires when appliances are plugged into receptacles. While most electricians recommend aluminum wiring is replaced, copper piggybacks can sometimes be installed on the wires to prevent overloading and overheating.
One of the biggest reasons older homes may need to have their wiring upgraded is because 60 amps used to be the standard. Today’s homes require at least 200 amps to be able to run modern electrical devices and appliances.
If you are a homeowner who is concerned about your wiring, an electrical contractor can help. They can inspect the wiring in your home and ensure it is safe. Call Tracy Electric Inc and allow them to schedule you a wiring inspection appointment.
