Why Should I Upgrade My Wiring?

Understanding electrical wires and how they are effected.

Understanding electricity has come a very long way since its discovery dating back to the 16th century.  It wasn’t until the late 19th century when the world would see the greatest progress in electrical engineering and science. During this period electricity was introduced into homes seemingly everywhere through transmission and distribution. Electrical distribution is the transfer of electrical power from a transmission system to the consumer. This distribution is available by way of wiring. Ultimately using the wiring in your home to deliver electricity to your appliances, air conditioning, computers, audio/video equipment, stoves and ovens, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and every other electrical utilization device you may own. This wiring is subject to safety standards for design and installation which changes every three years as experts and professionals learn more about how electricity is being used by today’s consumer. 
As our lives are more electrically convenient and dependent, our outdated electrical systems become overloaded. Overloaded and outdated electrical systems, cause a significant amount of fires and deaths every year. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi), home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Experts and professionals are doing their part in reducing these numbers every year and so must the consumer. One way a consumer can contribute to electrical safety is to be conscience of what type of electrical system they have and the dangers involved with that system. Once determined they should consult with Curtis Electrical Solutions, Inc. and plan a course of action that will appreciably raise the safety factor in that home. 
Keep reading below about some of the electrical systems a home owner might be subject to.

The dangers of outdated electrical wires.

As our lives are more electrically convenient and dependent, our outdated electrical systems become overloaded. Overloaded and outdated electrical systems, cause a significant amount of fires and deaths every year. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi), home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Experts and professionals are doing their part in reducing these numbers every year and so must the consumer. One way a consumer can contribute to electrical safety is to be conscience of what type of electrical system they have and the dangers involved with that system. Once determined they should consult with Curtis Electrical Solutions, Inc. and plan a course of action that will appreciably raise the safety factor in that home. Here are some of the electrical systems a home owner might be subject to:

Knob and Tube

Knob and Tube wiring was used in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s (1880’s-1930’s). This wire was all the rage in home building. It is made up of a single-insulated copper conductors. These conductors were installed through joists and studs using porcelain insulating tubes and supported using porcelain nailed-down knob insulators. Where these wires entered wiring devices such as light fixtures or switches they were protected with a cloth loom. These looms were made up of asphalt-saturated cotton cloth or rubber. The electrical connections in this system relied on solder and then wrapped in the same loom materials. Some of the connections were not covered at all. This type of wiring was eventually replaced by more cost effective solutions such as cable assemblies.K&T wiring is outdated and is unsafe, in part due to its lack of the third, grounding, wire and the materials used when it was produced many years ago. These materials will most likely be brittle today after so many years of use and constant heat. This brittleness will lead to exposed electrical conductors giving way to potential electrocution hazards. The porcelain insulating knobs helped keep the electrical wires away from the wood framing and other combustible materials. But today’s homeowners are adding much needed insulation into their attics and walls which is covering the knob and tube wiring in turn adding to the problems and hazards. Compound these issues with the lack of the ground wire and the overcurrent device may not operate as expected leaving you and your family even more at risk.
If you are unsure if you are in need of a wiring upgrade CALL US TODAY for an inspection and a free, itemized quote.

Cloth insulated cables

In the 1930’s a quicker installation method was developed. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable was born and it incorporated a black, silver, or white exterior insulation. The individual wires within the cable may be insulated in rubber or fabric-covered rubber. Later versions of this cable assembly used plastic for the internal wires. Some of the cloth materials used were cotton braid sealed with varnish or a tarlike substance and in later designs rayon was used. Some of these wires may have also been insulated using asbestos.The cloth insulation in these cable assemblies become fragile over time due to the heat generated in the electrical system. This cable assembly is much like the knob and tube wiring except the individual wires are now installed together. This is an issue when the insulation deteriorates and a short circuit is formed. Hopefully, when this happens there is an operable and dependable breaker to interrupt the current flow. 
If this is the type of wiring you have in your home, or you are not sure, call us today for an inspection and a free quote.

Aluminum Wiring

Aluminum wiring was used in the 60s and 70s. Aluminum wiring has become known for issues regarding faulty terminations at receptacles, switches, light fixtures and equipment as well as connections made in attics and walls due to oxidation. Tremendous heat is generated at these oxidized connections. Aluminum is also a soft material compared to copper and some other electrical conductors. This fact has contributed to the conductor breaking causing electrical arcs inside walls and attics exposed to combustible materials.While aluminum wire is still used today in electrical distribution and transmission due to the cost of copper, it is not recommended to install inside the home. Branch circuit wiring (the wiring from the breaker to the last outlet in a circuit) has many connection points. Every connection point is a potential problem with any material used. Aluminum only adds to the risks and potential fire hazards.If you have, or suspect you have, aluminum wiring you should call a professional electrician with experience dealing with this type of wiring. We have many years’ experience dealing with aluminum wiring. From repairing electrical connections using approved and unique connectors used with aluminum wiring to replacing entire systems with updated copper wiring. We have the experience and resources you need to handle your electrical wiring issues so Call us today.