Is the Wiring in Your Home Safe? | Better HouseKeeper

Have you every considered checking the safety of your home’s wiring? Here is why you should today!

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Homes dating back to the early part of the 20th century used a different type of wiring system than is used in homes today. Homes built today utilize circuit breakers to control the electrical circuits in the home, but in the past, knob-and-tube wiring connected to a fuse box was the only electrical system available. These old wiring systems use 2 wires that are separated by insulating knobs to keep them from touching. Knob-and-tube wiring does not utilize a ground wire. Never try to repair problems with your knob-and-tube wiring on your own. If you need electrical repair Utah, call a licensed electrician.

Is Knob-and-Tube Wiring Safe? 

Knob-and-tube wiring is old, and it doesn’t have a ground, but that does not necessarily make it unsafe. The threat of danger is mainly to your appliances and electronics if they were to experience a power surge. A modern home has a ground wire that runs along with the wiring and deep into the ground to send power surges out of the home. You can lessen the threat of damage caused by power surges by installing GFCI receptacles that will shut off power if they sense a surge. Just like modern electrical systems, older systems can have problems that present a danger. If you suspect there is a problem, call a professional. Knob-and-tube electrical repair in Utah is available.

Issues With Knob-and-Tube

There are some common problems you might be able to identify without handling the wiring system. Be on the lookout for the following:

•       Exposed metal in the wiring from damaged insulation
•       Unsoldered splices
•       Fuses in the fuse box with high amperage, which would be over 20

Any of these situations could present a hazard and should be inspected by licensed electrical repair in Utah.

Replacing Knob-and-Tube

The insulation around knob-and-tube wiring is made of rubber or cloth covered in asphalt. Both of these materials will degrade over time, which means at some point, if you plan to stay in your home for a long time, you should think about updating the wiring. Also, knob-and-tube wiring was never meant to handle the electric loads of the modern homeowner. Updating the wiring is something that can be done over time. You can even do it a room at a time to make it more affordable. For now, your old wiring may be fine. If you’re just moving into a new home, have the wiring examined for wear. If there is a problem, a licensed team can perform your electrical repair in Utah.