One of the first things that you need to consider when planning a home repair is an existing electrical system. Is the condition of the existing electrical wiring and the power (inamps) of the system before the code? Along with the plumbing and heating and cooling systems, updating the electrical system in the house will be one of the most expensive remodeling tasks. A major electrical overhaul will require you to use a licensed electrician. There are situations where you can independently perform some electrical work with the proper permission, if your work is certified by an electrical controller. Before you begin, you should check your local building codes.
Electrical system components
There are several major components of a residential electrical system. Service input and main circuit are the most important elements of the system. Depending on the complexity of the wiring schemes, additional auxiliary circuit panels may be required. The current National Electrical Code recommends a minimum inbound electrical service of 100 amps. If your service panel is smaller, it should be increased to a minimum or higher amperage to meet the needs of modern electrical loads. Most of the new homes are connected to 200 ampere services. Many times, old utility panels do not provide sufficient grounding, so if you hold your existing panel, it should be carefully checked by an electrician.
Aluminum vs Copper wiring
The actual electrical wire passing through your home, which makes up each circuit, can be aluminum or copper. Old houses and some houses built during the use of the 70s and early 80s aluminum wiring. Modern building codes in most communities do not allow the use of aluminum wiring. There are a number of reasons for this. Aluminum and copper expand and contract when heated. Aluminum, unlike copper, tends to lose some tightness with each cycle. It can cause corrosion on contact with certain types of metals, and this corrosion will increase the resistance of the compound. Fire hazard is a major problem for aluminum.
There are ways to make aluminum safe, but we'll look at this in another article. Solid copper wiring is a material for new homes or repairs. Although 14-wire wiring is allowed for many circuits, we recommend installing 12-wire wiring, which costs a little more, but can work with a large amount of electrical current, making it safer and more energy efficient.
If you are repairing a very old house, and the wiring is insulated with fabric or if the insulation is fragile and cracked, you need to completely replace it with new copper wiring. This requires removal of material to cover the walls prior to research. This is a big job. You should receive estimates from a reputable electricity contractor. Most old houses have a very limited number of outlets in each room. Be sure to take the time to plan any new points you want with the appropriate wiring at this time. Once the wiring is in place, you can complete the rebuilding yourself if you feel that you have the necessary skills.
Component replacement
If you are satisfied with the size of the system, the number of outputs, switches and circuits (make sure you are happy with the number and locations at 240 volts, if any), then you will not have to add any new circuits to the electrical system. You just need to upgrade and replace system components. Turn off the main switch before performing any checks on your electrical system. Pull the pads on the outlets and switches and inspect the box. If it is intact and properly attached to the walls and ceiling, they most likely will not have to be replaced. Please note that if you plan to add ceiling fans to rooms, you may have to either add fasteners to this outlet, or replace it with one that is designed to receive a fan.
If your envelopes are the old two types of pins, you will need to replace them with a grounded three-zone type. It is a good idea to replace all the sockets and switches in the house. Most municipal codes will require you to use a GFCI type (short circuit to earth) in the bathroom, kitchen, and any other wet areas that are in close proximity to water.
There are many things a landlord can do to determine how large a project will be or will be its electrical installation. Determining the size of your system and the status of your wiring and other components and developing a plan for any new points and schemes that you need will be of great importance in planning your budget for updating your home electrical system.
