Electrical Safety 101

FAQs About Electrical Rewiring

by David Hart

After living in the same house for a long time, you will start noticing that certain structures fail. Plumbing and electrical wiring are some of the infrastructures that fail as a home gets older. Electrical wiring is a critical part of the home because it is the source of power. If the systems get damaged, you will have a low power supply and fire and electrocution hazards.

Here are the most frequently asked questions relating to the wiring of your home.

What is the Age of the Current Wiring?

One of the major causes of electrical fires in the home is poor and damaged electrical wiring insulation. As your wiring gets older, the plastic or rubber that coats the wires and protects them from coming into contact with each other starts wearing out. First, frayed wiring poses an electrocution hazard to anyone using the electrical system because the current is exposed. Secondly, when the insulation wears out, the live and the neutral wires have a higher likelihood of coming into contact with each other, leading to sparks that could start a fire.

It is advisable to consider rewiring the home if the current state of the wiring is damaged. It will save your home from possible fire damage and also electrocution.

Have Your Electrical Needs Changed?

As your family grows older and bigger, your electrical needs will change. For example, when you live with your spouse only, you might not have as many appliances as when the children start growing up. The addition of TVs in the bedrooms, flat irons and other small appliances can take their toll on the electrical load. When this happens, you have to evaluate your current wiring capacity.

If it is lower than the demand, consider rewiring the house. The process will involve installing a new switchboard, fuses and circuit breakers to stand your current power needs.

Do You Have Flickering Lights and Burning Smells?

Your lights can flicker for several reasons. If the capacity of the wiring is below your appliances, the deficit will make the bulbs flicker. Frayed wiring and short-circuiting can also lead to flickering lights. 

The best way to handle the problem is by having an electrician check its cause. If the age of your wiring is a problem, they will recommend rewiring.

You should hire electrical contractors to help you diagnose and fix your home's electrical wiring problems. With their help, you will have a safe, efficient and durable electrical system to suit your needs. 

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