The residential electrical demands in the past were significantly lower than the requirements of a modern household. This can be attributed to the increased number of electrical appliances and devices such as computers, tablets and mobile phones. Therefore, if you have an older residential structure, you should perform an assessment or consider engaging an electrician for a thorough inspection. This will help you identify the weaknesses in your electrical system, allowing you to perform upgrades and electrical repair. One of the common issues that you should review is the home electrical wiring. Here are some common problems that indicate that you need to improve your wiring for safety and electrical code compliance.

Limited Outlets

The number of outlets in your home can determine the safety of your electrical system. Moreover, this will affect the convenience of charging devices and using different appliances. In general, if you are using multiple extension cords all around the house, you have limited outlets for your needs. Under normal circumstances, this does not pose any risks, particularly if you are using low gauge extension cords. However, if you plug in heavy-duty appliances or attach a secondary extension to the existing power strip, you are likely to experience an overload and even subsequent fire or failure. Therefore, you should have more outlets installed to match your needs.

Two-Prong Outlets

Some older homes might have two-prong outlets which are not usually grounded. These are still functional, but they pose significant risks because the design does not allow the stray electrical currents to be safely eliminated. This is particularly hazardous if you are using an adaptor to connect your three-prong plugs. The stray currents could cause damage to the attached appliance and even increase your risk of getting shocked. If this is the case in your home, you should have the two-prong outlets eliminated and replaced with grounded alternatives.

Lack of GFCI

The GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter is an essential device for your home, particularly in your wet areas. As implied, this product will interrupt or shut down the electrical supply if the current start to flow along an unsuitable. For example, the GFCI will detect an anomaly if the electricity flows through water or a live wire contacts a metal conduit. The affected electrical circuit will be shut down immediately to prevent shock and fires. Unfortunately, some older homes might not have this crucial device. Therefore, you should inspect your home and install the device as necessary.

For ideal electrical upgrades, you should engage a licensed and experienced electrician.