Should You Replace Old Electrical Wiring?
People often take their home's wiring for granted, but without it, there would be no electricity and, thus, no appliances like electric stoves or televisions. But even more importantly, like many other human-made systems, electrical wiring can break down.
Faulty wiring is a fire and health hazard, and a serious one at that. Cases of excessive faulty wiring may require a complete system replacement.
But should everyone replace their electrical wiring system? Let's examine the conditions and solutions to determine the best course of action.
Not better with age
The first step in considering whether to perform electrical wiring replacement is identifying the age of the system. The oldest electrical wiring system found in a home is called "knob-and-tube" wiring. This system incorporated individual wires — the white wire was neutral and the black one hot. This system would go throughout a home. Ceramic insulation served to keep the wires from coming in contact with other materials and possibly sparking.
Since these wires are ancient (and were often installed before 1940), the wires are probably dust-covered. Therefore, physically identifying which one is black and which one white can be complex and, more importantly, dangerous.
It's best to replace this kind of wiring system.
No ground system
Every modern electrical wiring network features a ground system for extra safety. The knob-and-tube wiring system has only two wires, meaning no ground system. Although this doesn't mean that the wiring is not safe for use, the system lacks a hugely important safety feature: it doesn't protect other electronics and appliances, which increases the power surge probability.
Can a ground system be added to a knob-and-tube system? To put it simply, no. We recommend wiring replacement when it comes to groundless systems.
Do I have to change the old wiring?
In most instances, under current regulations and most local codes, the knob-and-tube wiring system type doesn't dictate obligatory replacement.
Adding extensions to knob-and-tube systems isn't recommended. It is often legal, especially for owners of historic homes that receive special permission to do so (usually for restoration work).
Most likely, you don't have to change the old wiring for a newer-type home. However, we recommend wiring system replacement even if you live in a historic home.
Potential hazards
To emphasize the importance and the benefit of swapping out an old electrical wiring system for a new one, let's examine the everyday problems of systems like knob-and-tube.
Damaged wire insulation: This damage occurs when the wire's metal part is exposed, increasing the electrical fire hazard. A professional electrical contracting firm should easily be able to repair this.
Insulation type: Fill or batt insulation is a problem for knob-and-tube wiring. Be careful when applying this insulation in an attic.
Exposed splices: This indicates that the wires were not well-soldered. A professional should handle this situation.
Over 15-20 amps in the fuse: Old wiring systems like knob-and-tube cannot manage 30 amp or more oversized fuses. Unfortunately, modern homes often have 30-50 amp fuses. This case can create a hazardous situation.
Should it be replaced?
You don't necessarily have to replace an old electrical wiring system. But, it doesn't mean that you should not do a replacement. We generally recommend that you perform a replacement as soon as possible to avoid dangerous situations related to the system's age.
A.B.T. Electric is a licensed residential and commercial electrical contractor in Anthem, Az. We are committed to continuing expertise, safety, and customer satisfaction. Call (623) 521-3939 today!