| |
|
Electricity is invisible, odorless and silent. Unless you are one of the thousands of unlucky people who are hurt by it each year, probably the only time you think about electricity is when something doesn’t work in your home. Almost everyone understands the need to maintain machines and appliances: a car needs its oil changed, an air conditioning unit must be serviced—but home wiring?
Experts agree that a licensed professional should inspect your home’s wiring periodically. Some of the more common problems found in homes are incorrectly placed or non-functional smoke detectors and ground fault interception outlets. You know why smoke detectors are critical, but are you aware of what GFI outlets do, and why they are required? GFI outlets are distinguishable from normal outlets by their small test and reset buttons. Their internal circuits detect electrical leakage and open the circuit to prevent the electricity from flowing through us! They are required in most places where people and water normally come into contact with electrical mechanisms, such as kitchen countertops, bathrooms, wet bars, pools and spas. They are also used in areas such as the attic, garage, basement and yard to protect us from faulty power tools. GFI outlets have been around since the early ’70s, and have saved many lives. They are available as circuit breakers.
One of the more recent products that protect us from electricity is the arc fault circuit breaker. This neat little device can detect electrical arcing—such as in a loose connection at a receptacle—and open the circuit before it starts a fire. They are only required if you are building a new home, and are necessary only for bedroom circuits.
New electrical work in homes is safeguarded by license, permit and inspection requirements. But homeowners often bypass that route because of the added time and money. Some agencies do not have adequate staff to keep pace and monitor as closely as they may like. And even a new home is not always a safe home. Many things can go wrong during the construction process, such as nails being driven into cables, poorly spliced wiring or improper wire terminations at fixtures and outlets. One homeowner discovered a burned cable, dead circuits and other problems in the $325,000 townhouse he bought new in 2000.
The nation’s housing supply is aging. One-third of all homes—30 million—are more than 50 years old; half are at least 30 years old. Older homes often fall short of today’s electrical-safety standards; they don’t have grounded outlets and many times do not have adequate outlets or circuits. This leads to the use of extension cords, oversize fuses and multi-outlet adaptors—a dangerous combination, especially when you consider the number of appliances in a modern home.
Blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, and dimming lights can be signs of a wiring problem or an overstressed circuit that may require replacement or a service upgrade. Yet homeowners frequently make quick—often illegal—fixes, such as using oversize fuses. Oversize fuses (for example, a 20-amp fuse used on a 15-amp circuit) allow more current through the wiring than the wiring was designed for, and consequently don’t protect the circuit from overheating.
If you experience flickering lights, hot outlets or other warning signs, disconnect appliances on overworked circuits. Then hire a qualified company that employs licensed electricians to inspect your home and suggest upgrades. (Some licensed companies do not require their employees to be licensed.) Also, a reputable company will quote you the cost upfront and give you options. Make sure the firm carries liability, vehicle and workman’s compensation insurance or you could be responsible for a workman who is hurt on your property. To find a reputable company, seek recommendations from satisfied neighbors and call your local Better Business Bureau.
Jude Raspino is the owner of Stuart Services.
He can be reached at 624-5555. |
