When does my electrical wiring need to be replaced (rewired)?
- Silver Electric Team
- Feb 23, 2021
- 2 min read
Changing light fixtures in your home sounds easy enough, but what about those old wires you’re connecting the fixture to?
How do you know if it’s time to have those inspected by a professional?
Many homeowners are unaware that their electrical wiring may be out of date and need to be rewired.
Many old homes built before the late 1980’s have wiring that was installed with outdated techniques now.
It can potentially become a problem when adding new fixtures or increasing the use of power with more digital gadgets now.
Like other electrical issues these old wires can cause problems like tripping, equipment damage or even electrical fires.
Here are some common indicators your wiring is out of date:
1) New Lights being installed with old wiring
Before starting to replace old light fixtures with new ones, you might need to have those old wires inspected & replaced.
Old light fixtures were able to withstand 60 degrees celsius, but new ones can withstand 90 degrees celsius.
This can cause old wires to overheat or possibly even your new light fixture not to work when installed.
2) Too many wires bundled together
Some older homes may have been “over” wired.
This happens when too many wires were bundles with or close to each other.
If you notice more than 3 wires running through a hole, then your home's wiring is definitely overloaded.
3) Knot & Tube Wiring
Many old homes have an outdated technique of wiring called Knot & Tube wiring.
This technique is no longer in-code because the wires have no insulation, it does not support higher amperage when needed, and the wires are not grounded.
If your house/building was built before the 1950s, then most likely your home has this type of wiring.
The best thing to do in any situation, is to have a professional inspect your home’s wiring to determine the best solution.
In some cases you do not have to have it all rewired.
Depending on the wiring and what your electrician finds, they may suggest just having a junction box installed, which is a less expensive option.
If you have any doubts about your home's wiring give us a call.
Our electricians can inspect your home and help you find the best solution for your situation.
留言