Common Reasons For Needing To Upgrade Your Home's Electrical System

9 December 2016
 Categories: , Blog


The process of upgrading your home's electrical system is complicated, and it is a task that you may not fully understand. As a result, you may be unaware of the various reasons why you would need to have this work done to your house.

To Ensure Compliance With Local Building Codes

If you have an older home, it is possible that the local building codes have been updated so that the wiring that was originally installed in your home is outdated. While it is common for code changes to grandfather existing structures, you may still benefit from having this update done to your home as it can provide you with numerous safety advantages. Additionally, it will be necessary for any new wiring that is installed for renovations or additions to be in compliance with the new building codes, which may necessitate making upgrades to your breaker panel and the main power connection. Due to the potential expenses of these upgrades, you should have your home inspected by an experienced licensed electrician before committing to your renovation or addition so that you will be better able to manage your construction budget.

Preventing Electric Devices From Overloading Your Wiring And Circuit Breakers

Modern homes are filled with energy-using electronics that can be essential for recreation, school and work. In many older homes, the wiring and breaker panel were not designed to accommodate the intense electrical needs of having many modern electronic devices working at once. This can lead to the breaker panel being prone to flipping, and in extreme instances, it can lead to damage occurring to the wiring.

Repairing Damage From Electrical Surges

If your home is subjected to an intense electrical surge, it can be possible for the wiring and breaker panel to suffer critical damage. This damage occurs because the electricity may be strong enough to melt the internal components of the breaker panel and the insulation around your wiring. Once this damage has occurred, it will be necessary to replace any compromised components or you may risk a fire starting in your home.

You will be able to mitigate this type of damage through the installation of a whole-house surge protector as these systems are made to intercept damage causing surges before they reach your home. The addition of a surge-suppression device to your home's electrical system can be a costly upgrade, but you can help to offset these expenses through potential reductions in homeowner's insurance premiums and rebates.


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