31 Jan The Advantages of an Electrical Inspection on an Old House: ACCL Electrical

The Advantages of an Electrical Inspection on an Old House: ACCL Electrical

As the owner of an older home, you may be anxious about what an electrical inspection would reveal. The resultant effort can be time-consuming, but the results are well worth it. Keeping your electrical system up to date guarantees that your family and house are protected from electrical dangers. Not only that, but modern appliances would be able to draw the right amount of electricity without tripping breakers on a regular basis if the wiring was updated. An inspection ensures that your home complies with local construction rules, emphasises the importance of safety, lowers insurance costs, and makes it easier to sell when the time comes.

Typical Electrical Issues in Old Houses

When it comes to historic home electrical inspections, the specialists look for a number of frequent issues. Some faults are minor annoyances that could develop into safety hazards in the future, while others are urgent concerns that must be addressed right away. A few electrical issues that are frequent in older homes are listed below.

• Instead of a modern circuit breaker panel, an old fuse box was used – Fuse boxes and circuit breakers both regulate the amount of electricity that enters your home and safely shut off the power when a circuit becomes overloaded. However, unlike circuit breakers contain switches that can be flicked and wires that can be disconnected and reconnected, fuse boxes melt wires when the circuit is overloaded, a process known as “blowing a fuse.” Before the electricity can be restored to that circuit, the fuse must be changed.
• Wiring with knobs and tubes – Knob and tube wiring is an old house electrical wiring style that was popular in the 1950s and before, however it does not produce enough energy to run current equipment. Overheating can happen in knob and tube wires, posing a fire risk.
• Wiring made of aluminum – Aluminum wire is an old wiring technology that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Because the metal heats up faster than ordinary copper wires, it’s more likely to weaken electrical connections, causing arcing, insulation melting, and fire dangers.
• Circuit breakers are prone to tripping – A circuit breaker will regularly trip if high-energy appliances take more energy than the breaker allows, but if the breaker trips frequently or without the usage of a high-energy appliance, it suggests that the electrical system may have loose connections.
• Three-prong outlets have been replaced by two-prong outlets – Not only will you be unable to use your three-pronged appliances with a two-pronged plug, but it will also be ungrounded. That means it lacks ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which protect people in damp areas like kitchens and bathrooms from electrocution. GFCIs shut down the circuit in just four milliseconds, preventing what could have been a fatal shock.
• There are no modern outlets available for new appliances – Many older homes have fewer outlets than our current electrical needs demand. Homeowners may attempt to compensate by installing new outlets and connecting them to existing circuits. Circuits may become overloaded as a result, posing a risk to your entire electrical system.

In an electrical inspection, what happens?

• An electrical inspection will entail a thorough examination of all electrical systems, including wiring and appliances, to ensure that they meet safety requirements. Here’s a look at what to anticipate from an electrical inspection.
• A professional electrician will evaluate a home or company to see if the light switches and wall outlets are in working order. This involves looking for overheating caused by poor wiring.
• All shock and electrocution risks will be evaluated and dealt with. Overloaded circuits or exposed electrical lines are examples of this.
• The electrician will check to see if the arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are working correctly. This will guard against arcing caused by loose connections.
• All safety and security lighting will be checked as part of the assessment. To reduce the risk of electrocution in damp locations, make sure the grounding system is fitted and operational.
• A whole-house surge protector will be tested to ensure it is working properly.
• All smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors will be tested, and the proper placement of smoke detectors will be verified.
• The electrical panel will be examined for proper labelling, amperage, and functionality.
• Any outside electrical systems will also be examined by the electrician.

Your electrician will provide you with a thorough report once the job is completed. The study will identify parts of your home’s electrical system that are a source of concern and need to be fixed. The electrician should go over the report with you and thoroughly explain any faults they find, as well as answer any concerns you may have.

Rely on our expert ACCL Electricians:

If you’re worried about any electrical issues and require the aid of a professional, Contact us today for your free estimate!

ACCL Electrical offers repair and replacement services. We would be pleased to develop a guaranteed unique solution to keep your appliances free of obstructions and your electrical needs met be it interior or exterior. We can help. Call 1(905) 448-5909 or visit our contact page to drop us a message http://acclelectrical.ca/contact-us/