Have you noticed flickering lights, frequent popped circuit breakers, or other odd electrical issues in your home lately? If so, your home’s electrical system may be outdated and in need of an upgrade. An outdated electrical system can present serious safety hazards and problems with power delivery in your home. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about inspecting, understanding, and upgrading your home’s electrical system.
Why Upgrading Your Home’s Electrical System Matters
Your home’s electrical system powers everything from lights and outlets to major appliances and electronics. Like other home systems, an electrical system requires periodic maintenance and upgrades over time. Advances in home electronics and appliances have also increased the electrical load in homes over the decades.
Upgrading an outdated electrical system provides:
- Improved safety – Eliminate fire and shock risks from faulty, outdated wiring.
- Increased capacity – Upgrade for today’s power-hungry appliances and devices.
- More outlets – Add outlets to eliminate the need for extension cords and power strips.
- Enhanced convenience – Enjoy more modern electrical features and smart home technology.
Investing in electrical system upgrades can pay dividends in terms of home safety, value, and functionality for years to come.
Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Electrical System
How can you tell if your home’s electrical system is outdated or in need of an upgrade? Watch for these common warning signs:
Frequent Tripping of Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are designed to trip and shut off power to portions of your home’s electrical system when they detect issues like shorts, overloads, or faulty wiring. Frequent tripping of the same circuit breakers indicates a persistent problem that requires attention.
Flickering Lights
Flickering lights when appliances turn on/off or dimming at random points to very low levels can indicate wiring problems, overloaded circuits, or other faults.
Burning Smells or Light Sparks
Strong burning odors or visible sparks around outlets, switches, or appliances are a major red flag. This likely indicates unsafe wiring conditions that could lead to electrical fires.
Outdated Fuse Box or Circuit Breaker Panel
Older fuse boxes or circuit breaker panels that still use fuses can be unsafe. Upgrading to a modern circuit breaker panel isolates electrical faults better.
Not Enough Circuits or Overloaded Circuits
Lacking enough dedicated circuits for high wattage appliances like dryers or air conditioners can overload electrical systems. Extension cords and power strips used frequently also indicate overloaded/insufficient circuits.
Hot Electrical Outlets and Switches
Outlets or switches that are hot to the touch when on indicate potentially loose wiring connections. This presents a shock and fire hazard.
If you notice any of these warning signs, have an electrician inspect your electrical system right away. They can assess issues and advise you on necessary upgrades. Don’t ignore the signs – electrical fires account for over 25,000 home fires every year.
Understanding Your Home’s Electrical System
To make informed decisions about upgrading your electrical system, it helps to understand the basic components and how they work together to power your home:
Electrical Service Panel
The electrical service panel is the central hub of your home’s electrical system. This panel connects your home to the main utility power lines and distributes electricity throughout the home via circuit breakers. Modern panels use circuit breakers, while older panels use fuses. Service panels need upgrades when unsafe components like Federal Pacific panels are present or capacity needs upgrading.
Main Service Line
The main service line carries electricity from your home’s utility transformer and connects to the service panel. For major appliance additions or move to 200 amp + panels, the service line wires may need upgrading to handle increased electrical load.
Breakers and Fuses
Breakers and fuses shut off power to individual circuits if electrical faults occur. Breakers can simply be reset while fuses need replacement. Homeowners should use breakers instead of old screw-in or plug fuses when possible.
Electrical Wiring
Insulated copper wires distribute electricity through walls, ceilings and floors to outlets, switches and appliances throughout the home. Older wiring types like knob-and-tube can be unsafe. Upgrading wiring improves safety and increases capacity.
Receptacles and Switches
Outlets (receptacles) and switches allow safe connection of devices and control of lights/appliances. Adding tamper-resistant outlets and GFCI outlets enhances safety, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors.
Grounding System
Proper grounding of electrical systems protects from shocks and directs fault current away from occupants. Modern grounding and bonding procedures must be followed during upgrades.
Understanding these core components helps determine what upgrades are needed in your unique home electrical system.
How to Upgrade Your Home’s Electrical System
Upgrading your residential electrical service and wiring involves several key steps. Follow this process to tackle an electrical upgrade for your home:
Hire a Licensed Electrician
Due to the technical nature and safety risks involved, electrical upgrades should only be performed by licensed electricians. Get quotes from several electricians and check reviews to choose one you trust.
Evaluate Your Electrical Usage Needs
The electrician will evaluate energy usage across your home and survey which circuits go to what areas. This helps plan appropriate circuit and panel upgrades.
Replace Outdated Electrical Panel
If your home still has an outdated fuse box or unsafe Federal Pacific, Zinsco or Sylvania Zinsco panel, replacing it with a modern circuit breaker panel is crucial. New panels provide safer circuit protection and more capacity.
Install New Breakers and Wiring
With the service panel replaced, the electrician can run any new wiring needed and install fresh breakers matched to your home’s circuits. All wiring connections are tightened and inspected.
Add New Outlets and Circuits
Additional outlets can be added wherever needed around the home to reduce the use of extension cords. Separate 20 amp appliance circuits can be installed for larger items like dishwashers, microwaves etc.
Upgrade Outlets and Switches
Replace old outlets and switches with modern tamper-resistant receptacles and quiet-operation Decora style switches. GFCI outlets provide essential shock protection in wet areas.
Install Electrical Surge Protection
Surge protectors and lightning arrestors prevent voltage spikes from frying electronics and destroying equipment. Whole house surge protection is installed at the main panel.
Ensure Proper Permits and Inspections
Your electrician handles obtaining all required permits and scheduling inspections to ensure upgrades comply with local electrical codes.
Upgrading your home’s electrical service capacity, wiring, outlets, switches and safety systems requires expertise, but pays dividends in safety and functionality.
Electrical Safety Tips During Upgrades
Electrical upgrades involve inherent hazards, both for homeowners and professional electricians. Adhere to these tips to stay safe:
- Turn off all power at the main breaker before working on electrical wiring. Use a contactless voltage tester to double check wires are dead.
- When turning power back on, flip the main breaker on first, then turn on individual circuits one at a time.
- Wear insulated rubber-soled shoes and gloves when handling wiring. Avoid wearing jewelry which can conduct electricity.
- Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when also contacting electrical wiring to avoid shocking pathways through your body.
- Only use electrical tools and equipment that are properly insulated and rated for the voltages you are working with.
- Beware of old wiring coated in brittle, cracked insulation which can easily expose bare conductors.
- Don’t overload extension cords. Use heavy 12 or 14 gauge extension cords for tools and limit length to avoid voltage drop.
- Keep electrical work areas free of water and check for existing water damage to wires and boxes.
- When in doubt, consult an electrician! Don’t risk injury by tackling electrical repairs you’re unqualified to perform.
Staying alert and using common sense goes a long way toward keeping safe during electrical system upgrades.
Hiring an Electrician vs. DIY Upgrades
Should you hire an electrician or tackle some electrical upgrades yourself? Consider the following:
Benefits of Hiring an Electrician
- Expertise working safely – Electricians are highly trained and experienced in safely handling complex electrical work.
- Knowledge of codes – Electricians ensure upgrades meet the National Electrical Code and local requirements.
- Identifying problems – Electricians can track down issues in your existing wiring you may miss.
- Handling permits – Electricians pull required permits and schedule inspections for code compliance.
- Warranty on work – Professional electricians guarantee their labor and materials for a period of 1-2 years typically.
- Saving time – Electricians have the right tools and workforce to minimize disruption and complete upgrades quickly.
Downsides of DIY Electrical Work
- Lack of training – Mistakes made by untrained homeowners can lead to injury or death.
- No permit or inspection – DIY electrical work is often done illegally without permits
- Subpar materials – Homeowners may unknowingly use inferior electrical components that present hazards.
- Liability – DIYers have no labor or material warranty and take on full liability.
- Delays – Electrical work takes most homeowners much longer than professional electricians.
- Hidden dangers – Hazards like faulty wiring in walls are easily missed without electrical training and tools.
For minor things like adding a new outlet, careful DIYers can potentially handle the work safely. But for larger upgrades like new panels or wiring, hiring a pro pays off.
Conclusion
Is your home electrical system plagued by frequent issues like flickering lights and tripped breakers? Are the wires, panels and outlets outdated or undersized for your home’s electrical needs? If so, it’s definitely time to upgrade.
While upgrading your residential electrical service may seem complicated and expensive, it’s absolutely worth the safety and functionality payoff. Professional electricians can seamlessly handle the permitting, inspection, installation, and testing involved with minimal disruption to your home and family.
Keep in mind that electrical upgrades add value and appeal should you want to sell your home in the future. And you’ll sleep better at night knowing your home’s electrical system is safe and meets the capacity you need. Contact a licensed electrician today to schedule an assessment and discuss your home electrical upgrade needs.
