If you have identified old wiring in your home or noticed any of the signs of faulty wiring, it is in the best interests of your safety and finances to replace the wiring in an old home.
If your home is 30 or more years old, you should consider replacing its electrical wiring. Homes built before can have old and outdated wiring. Wiring in older homes is often for only 60 amps, and newer appliances require upwards of 200 amps. Not having enough voltage can damage your appliances, computers, and other electronics.
Wiring usually lasts between 50 and 70 years, but many factors can affect the longevity of wiring, including:
As previously mentioned, frequent breaker trips, dimming or flickering lights, and discolored outlets are all signs that your wiring needs to be replaced.
Here are some other reasons you may need to update your wiring:
Even if you&#;re not noticing any signs of faulty wiring, there are still reasons why you should update wiring in an old home. If your home is more than 40 years old, you may have knob and tube wiring. This type of wiring has one black charged wire and one white neutral wire. Electrical tape may have been used on ungrounded, soldered wires to form splices and wire connections. And some insulation used before was made of rubber that was known to crumble and flake. Issues with insulation can be dangerous and not up to National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
NEC standards are consistently upgraded to provide the latest regulations on electrical wiring, overcurrent protection, grounding, and installation of equipment. Following code doesn&#;t always require replacement of wiring. If your local code allows it, you can splice old knob and tube wiring with a new, non-metallic cable if you use a junction box, which protects wire connections.
Aluminum wiring is more likely to cause fires, so you should replace aluminum wiring with copper wiring. Even if your house was built as late as the s, you have a safety hazard if your wiring is aluminum.
Understanding the Benefits of Installing Copper Wiring In Your HomeAlthough aluminum wiring was installed between and because it was cheaper than copper, copper wiring is far superior in terms of safety. Here are some of the reasons why copper is the ideal electrical wiring material:
Ductile and malleable: Because copper is ductile, it can be easily hammered into a thin wire for electrical needs. Its malleability allows it to be bent into shape.
Excellent conductor: Copper conducts electricity better than any other non-precious metal. Conductivity is an essential component of electrical wiring.
Non-corrosive: Copper wiring is non-corrosive, meaning it won&#;t rust or degrade. It can last 40 years or more.
Hidden away within your home&#;s walls, it&#;s difficult to know what the condition of your home&#;s electrical wiring is. But just because electrical wiring is out of sight, it shouldn&#;t be out of mind.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical problems are the cause of more than 50,000 fires each year, resulting in more than 500 deaths and 1,500 injuries. Old, frayed, and damaged electrical wiring is the cause of many of these fires.
In our most recent blog, the licensed electricians at Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric discuss some common signs to replace your old electrical wiring.
Signs Your Electrical Wiring May Need to Be Replaced
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It may be time to upgrade your home&#;s electrical wiring if you notice any of the following:
Your Home Is More Than 30 Years Old
As a general rule of thumb, it&#;s a good idea to have a licensed electrician inspect your home&#;s wiring if it&#;s more than 30 years old, as it could be old and outdated. Many homes built between and used aluminum electrical wiring because it was cheaper. However, copper electrical wiring remains the gold standard because it&#;s malleable and non-corrosive. It&#;s a smart idea to replace old electrical wiring to prevent electrical fires.
Your Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently
Are you frequently resetting your circuit breaker? If so, this means there&#;s too much demand being placed on your electrical system. A qualified electrician can inspect the system and make any recommendations, which may include replacing the old electrical wires.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
If your lights flicker or dim when you turn on an appliance such as the vacuum cleaner or air conditioning system, it could be a sign that the electrical wiring is struggling to power the appliances in your home.
Stained or Charred Electrical Outlets
Stained electrical outlets are a serious issue, and you should contact an electrician right away if you notice this. It could signal that your home&#;s electrical system is experiencing uncontrolled electrical surges, which can lead to a dangerous electrical fire.
Frayed Wires
If any of your home&#;s electrical wiring is frayed, you should have this electrical wiring replaced immediately. Wires can become frayed over time due to age, corrosion or heat. Replace electrical wiring that is frayed or faulty to remove this potential fire hazard from your home and gain your peace of mind.
You Use Extension Cords
If you&#;re using extension cords to power appliances, you don&#;t have enough electrical outlets in your home. Consider contacting an electrician to replace the wiring so new outlets can be installed.
Your Hear Noises Coming from Your Electrical System
Any type of noises such as buzzing, crackling or popping coming from your switches or electrical outlets are signs for concern and should be inspected.
Loose Connections
If there are loose connections between your electrical wiring and the electrical outlets or switches, contact an electrician.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric for Electrical Services
If you notice any of the signs we mentioned in this article with your electrical system, consider contacting the licensed electricians at Ravinia Plumbing to inspect your electrical wiring system and make any necessary recommendations. For all of your electrical needs, contact Ravinia Plumbing.
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