Is Time For An Electrician To Update Your Home’s Electrical Wiring And Outlets? Find Out Here | Wilmington, NCIs Time For An Electrician To Update Your Home’s Electrical Wiring And Outlets? Find Out Here | Wilmington, NC
Did you know that approximately 30 million homes in the United States are over 50 years old? Therefore, chances could be that you live in a house at least 50 years old. If you live in an aged house, you should be concerned because its electrical system could pose a real danger to your life and property.
The frequency of fires in houses over 40 years old is disproportionately high because the electrical components and systems could be old, altered, misused, or installed incorrectly. Thus, it would be best to have an electrician address the hazardous situation by updating your electrical components, especially wiring and outlets.
This enhances the safety of your home and brings reliability and functionality to your home as your electrical system keeps up with each day’s increasing power needs. Have you had your home wiring and outlets checked in recent years? Or do you live in an old house? If so, continue reading to know if it’s time to upgrade your wiring and outlets.
Older Wiring
Faulty wiring has a higher possibility of igniting. And the older your home, the higher the chances that the wiring is outdated and unsafe. Although aluminum, non-metallic, and knob and tube wiring installed in the 20th century were in line with safety standards, you still can’t be sure that the wiring is up to code unless you were present when the house was being built. Also, materials such as wire insulation deteriorate as time passes.
Suppose you are a resident in Wilmington, NC, and don’t know whether your wiring is up to code. In that case, you can hire a licensed electrician to assess it, especially when you experience a tingling sensation, flickering lights, or tripping breakers.
Additionally, it is important to update your wiring to avoid higher premiums from insurance carriers who may also opt not to insure your house.
Outlets That Are Not Childproof
In most homes, there are electrical outlets in all rooms, presenting a potential safety risk to your children if the receptacles are not well covered. According to the National Fire Protection Agency reports, around 2400 children yearly suffer from severe burns and shocks when they insert items into electrical outlet slots. And 6 to 12 children end up dying.
There are two types of child-proof outlet covers to choose from, the safe plates attached to the outlets with a screw and the outlet boxes offering spaces for the plugs using the receptacle at the same time while preventing children from reaching the second outlet.
A nearby electrician in Wilmington, NC, can help you install the best child-proof outlet and wirings that fits your home.
Insufficient Power
Unlike in the past, many activities in our modern homes require high power. Appliances you use continuously, such as mobile devices, refrigerators, air conditioners, and flat screens, need an optimum power supply to prevent sensitive electrical appliances from being badly damaged.
An experienced electrician can investigate the electrical appliances in your home and update your wiring and outlets to suit the needs of your home.
Missing GFCIs
Ground fault circuit interrupters are responsible for setting and resetting electrical circuits. GFCIs protect you from fatal shock by monitoring electrical currents and interrupting electrical circuits when it detects an imbalance.
They safeguard you and your family against electrocution even when your outlets are not well protected. GFCIs are required in the kitchen, utility rooms, spa or pool areas, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
The unavailability of GFCIs in wet areas at your home may lead to electrical shock. They are not expensive and are quite easy to install. However, it is important to note that they are not to be used in freezers, refrigerators, and other appliances, as they could trip without you noticing. You can contact a nearby electrician in Wilmington, NC, to install them in your home.
Missing Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)
Arc-fault circuit interrupters are of different varieties and keep your home from electrical dangers. They detect and shut down outlets, especially when rodents chew into your wires or when a nail drives through the wire to prevent damage before it occurs.
Unlike GFCIs placed on wall receptacles, arc-fault circuit interrupters are incorporated into the central service panel as specialized circuit breakers. AFCIs are needed in your kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, and other sleeping areas, such as dens and fold out couches. To keep your home from electrical dangers, you should contact an electrician to update your wiring and install the AFCIs in those areas where they are required.
Two-pronged, Ungrounded Outlets
Another way to determine whether your home is safe is to have an electrician inspect your outlets. If you see holes for only two prongs, they are ungrounded. In this case, your outlets do not have the required ground wire to protect your home from potential electrical surges, even with surge protectors.
The ground wire protects you from electrical shock, fires, and damage to your electronics. Two-prong outlets are also not compatible with the most recent appliances and electronics. A grounded outlet is more capable of protecting new technological devices such as televisions and computers.
An electrician can update your wiring and outlets to three-prong by adding a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or a ground wire. Your home will be safe from safety issues, unnecessary shocks, and damage to valuable electronic devices.
Update Your Wiring with Mister Sparky of Wilmington
Are you worried about the condition of your wires and outlets? Don’t sweat it; an electrician at Mister Sparky of Wilmington can successfully upgrade the wire and outlets of your home to enhance safety.
At Mister Sparky of Wilmington, we protect your home by ensuring efficient and smooth operations of your electrical system and appliances. Our technicians can also help you with outdoor lighting, surge protectors, and emergency electrical needs throughout the day and night. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.