The wiring inside many older homes is out of date. This issue is because the contractors who initially built these homes didn’t plan on the increase of electricity use in the 21st century. Improper wiring strains the electrical supply of our ever-growing collection of electricity-hungry appliances, lighting, and electronics. Simply put, the circuits in these older homes can’t handle the numerous gadgets of modern life.
The signs of strain may be obvious—a tangle of extension cords and power strips sprouting from a single outlet—or lurking unseen behind walls, ceilings, and cover plates.
So what can you do?
Inspect Your Fuse Box
Fuse boxes are less common these days than circuit breaker panels, but they work just fine — unless, of course, if someone installs fuses with a higher amperage than the wires can safely handle. This error can cause the wires to overheat, damaging their protective insulation and increasing fire risk. Once damaged, the insulation continues to pose a danger even after replacing the offending fuse. To remove this hazard, an electrician must rewire the old circuit.
Perform Regular Inspections
The best way to ensure the safety of your home is to have a professional electrician perform an inspection every 5 years or so. If the inspection turns up code violations, there’s no need to panic. Electrical codes only require you to update the wiring in rooms you are having gut-renovated. Each time the electrical code is revised, old wiring is “grandfathered” on the assumption a professional wired it correctly.
Trust USA Electric With Your Wiring Issues
Some wiring problems are just inconveniences, but others can pose serious fire or electrocution hazards. Whatever the case may be, calling a licensed (License C-10 892870) and insured (Liability and W.C Insurance) electrician in Los Angeles can ease your worry. Call USA Electric to handle the job. If you’re buying a house (especially one that’s more than 50 years old), or if you’ve never had your wiring inspected, it’s a good idea to hire USA Electric to give your home a thorough going-over.
We can look at the insulation on the wires to see if heat has dried it out or caused fraying. We also keep an eye out for corrosion in the service panel and ensure that the previous owner did not perform any unlicensed work.
To help you assess the state of your electrical system, call USA Electric (800) 956-9737.
REMEMBER: Anytime you work with wiring, be sure to turn off the circuit at the main breaker panel.
