Updating Your Electrical System: 11 Substantial Things to Discover

When was the last time you checked up on your meter box and your electrical system? If it has been a while, then it means, you need to inspect it. 

Don’t just assume that several elements of your electrical system such as the electric cables and proof enclosures are working fine as they could wear out after a few years. If you live in an old house or if your current system cannot meet your family’s power needs, then you need to update your electrical system

3 Steps to Update Your Electrical System

1. Upgrade your Panel

The first step in updating your electrical system is to upgrade your panel. Through this, you can bring more power from the utility to your home. You can replace your current meter and circuit breakers to allow it to handle more power. 

On the other hand, it’s a must to replace the obsolete or damaged electrical panel or circuit breakers as these pose risk to your family and your property. Doing this enables your electrical system to have more power to distribute without affecting your home’s wiring.

2. Add Extra Circuits

Adding extra circuits is the second step to do to distribute more power to your rooms and appliances.

3. Add New Electrical Outlets and Replace the Used Cables

Updating the electrical system also includes adding new electrical outlets and replacing the old cable wires and receptacles.

3 Major Risks of a Malfunctioning Electrical System

There are several reasons why malfunctioning faulty wiring represents a huge problem for some reasons. Some of them include:

1. Fire Hazard

An old electrical system creates a fire hazard which puts you and your loved ones at risk. Bad wiring is one of the biggest causes of house fires. When the wiring becomes heated or exposed or when sparks are created, materials around it get ignited which leads to fire.

2. Electrocution

If the old wiring has signs of wear and tear, then the electrical current won’t be transferred properly. The insulation of your electrical system may have holes in them. In both cases, there will be a serious electrocution risk.

3. Reduce the Lifespan of Appliances

The lifespan of your electrical appliances will be affected significantly as the faulty wiring can’t be able to manage the power safely. When it happens, it can shorten your appliances. Further, the faulty wiring and electrical system cannot support modern appliances which will cause your washing machines, microwaves, and dishwashers to wear out quickly.

The overall efficiency of your home’s energy will drastically reduce. This will also show up in your electric bills aside from the appliances getting ruined.

5 Signs that You Need to Update Your Electrical System

1. 20+ Yrs Old Home

If your home is older than 20, then you need to upgrade your service panel. Older homes possess panels that range from about 60 to 100 amps. Homes within the last 20 years possess an average of about 200 amps. Because of higher power demands, older panels in these homes need upgrading to cope with modern power demands.

2. Flickering Lights

If your lights flicker when other appliances are active, then there’s a connection problem with the panel. If the appliance is running and seems to have reduced output, it may be a result of overloaded circuits with the panel. It’s an outdated panel that needs to be upgraded to handle a larger current load of your electrical system.

3. Frequent Panel Tripping

If your electrical panel trips or if it makes a crackling sound, it means it needs repair or replacement. The system will trip when you plug too many appliances into a circuit which requires more power than the circuit can accommodate. The cutting off power or tripping is a safety measure to prevent overheating.

4. Burning Smell or Discoloured Outlets

A burning smell coming from your electricity is never a good sign. If your panel is getting too hot, it could be overloading. When the service box has a poor connection, there’s a generation of high wattage in a small area. If the heat rises, you can smell burning. It may cause your outlets to become brown and discoloured as well. A professional electrical inspector should assess the situation of your electrical system immediately to prevent an electrical fire.

5. Extension Cords

While extension cords can be useful, over-reliance on them could be dangerous. Electrical wires are kept in your walls for a purpose. Wires that are left strewn across your living room floor can get shorted or pinched leading to damaged outlets. Constant use of extension cords is not recommended. Contact your local electrician to install more outlets and reduce the overall stress on your electrical system specifically the paneling and breakers.

Call Effective Building & Consultancy Experts Today!

If you think you’re good with upgrading your own meter box and electrical system, trash it out. It’s never a good idea to go the DIY route when it comes to handling electricity. Always call in the experts so we can deal with the problem professionally. Don’t put your life at risk by trying to do it yourself as you can go wrong.

Protecting your home and family from fire hazards is one of the major benefits of updating your electrical system. Moreover, all your modern appliances will also be safe and protected from inadequate power distribution and other problems caused by outdated electrical systems. You can also increase the resale value of your home by updating the electrical system. So, don’t procrastinate or ignore an electrical system upgrade even though it’s an expensive affair.

If you need different types of cables, varied cable sizes, or electrical material, get in touch with our professional inspectors. We are partnered with electrical experts and providers who offer a wide range of power cable types and other components that will help update your electrical system.

For more information about upgrading the electrical system, visit our Help Centre.