Upgrading Your Electrical System for Safety
We don’t give too much thought to our electrical systems as long as its satisfying our needs. Actually, even if it’s not satisfying our needs, we still rarely complain—that’s why so many homeowners will go overboard on power strips, run extension cables into other rooms, or ignore flickering lights.
However, these are all signs that you need upgrades to your electrical system. If you allow it to go on for too long in that manner, it can lead to some serious safety issues. Some of the services that can keep your home safe include:
Rewiring
It’s not every year that you’re going to need to have your home rewired. That being said, you might not know for sure when the previous owner of your home last had the home rewired, so the time for service could be closer than you think.
That being said, there will also be definite signs when your home demands rewiring. You’ll see it in the form of:
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Frequently blown fuses or tripped breakers
- Light bulbs burning out too quickly
- Buzzing sounds
- Burning smells
- Loose outlets
- Sparks appearing when you plug or unplug a cord
All of these signs indicate that some areas of your wiring are in need of an upgrade.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Your electrical panel, also referred to as the breaker box, is the middle point between your home’s electrical system and the electric company’s system. In transferring power between these two sources, there’s bound to be some excessive currents flowing through—enough to create the risk of an electrical fire.
Your electrical panel is there to mitigate this risk by tripping the circuit breakers. But if the age of your electrical panel has worn out your breakers, it won’t be able to protect your home. It’s time to have your electrical panel upgraded.
You should upgrade your electrical panel if:
- Your home still uses a fuse box.
- The electrical panel feels warm or has a burning smell.
- You’re adding new electrical appliances to the home.
- You use several power strips due to the lack of outlets throughout your home.
Service Upgrades
When replacing the electrical panel isn’t enough, what you need is a full-service upgrade.
Nowadays, homes need 200 amps to safely run all of our modern comforts. Televisions, air conditioners, home security systems, etc. Compare that to a time where the standard was only 60 amps!
It wouldn’t be surprising, then, to discover that your older home’s electrical service is no longer powerful enough for all of your appliances and systems. Signs you need to upgrade your service include frequently tripping circuit breakers, power losses, and appliances damaged by drops in voltage.
A service upgrade is a comprehensive approach that might include rewiring and an electrical panel upgrade. After inspecting your home, the electrician in Kent, WA performing your upgrade may determine that you need more outlets, a new grounding and bonding system, and upgrades to the service entrance cables.
Electrical service upgrades will generally go smoother if the structure of your home hasn’t changed much since the original panels and electrical meters were installed.