4 Residential Electrical Violations That Need to Be Fixed
One of the last problems you ever want to deal with in your home is electrical issues that put your house at risk. Unfortunately, many of these issues are the direct result of electrical violations created by inexperienced or lousy electricians. To make things worse, these problems lay in hiding up until consequences like fire actually occur. At that point, it’s too late. The damage has already been done.
To avoid putting your home and those you love in danger, hiring a reputable electrician to carry out regular inspections is a must.
In this article, we want to talk about the various electrical violations that can be commonly found at home, and what can be done to fix them:
1. Splices
Although splices are legal in that they can be used for temporary lighting or for troubleshooting purposes, they should never be used permanently unless in a junction box. In fact, splicing is one of the worst code violations that can be made, and it can be hazardous if not inside a junction box.
If you need splicing to be done, then you will have to hire an electrician to install a junction box. Splicing should be done there and covered for protection, ensuring your home is safe from any risk of electrical fires.
2. Crowded wires
It is inevitable for some amount of crowding to occur with wires. However, forcing too many to be close together in a tiny hole no larger than an inch can do much more harm than good. Friction between wires can lead to issues like insulation being ripped away. The resulting exposed wires can significantly heighten the risk of electrical fires.
To fix this issue, simply make sure no more than three wires run through an inch-wide hole. This will leave enough room for the wires to move around without damaging each other.
3. Old wires for new lights
Old architecture should not really be paired with new technology, simply because there is no guarantee that the old implementations will actually support new requirements. This can be applied to the installation of new lights on old wires, leading to problems like overloading.
If you know that your house has wiring that is already old, you will need to install a splice box so that new wires can run and connect to the new lights. This allows you to still use old wires without having to rewire everything.
4. Knob and tube solutions
Not too long ago, knob and tube wiring were treated as amazing pieces of electrical technology that revolutionized the electrical industry. Unfortunately, it is seen today as an extremely dangerous electrical solution because the wires are not grounded.
If you believe your home to have knob and tube wiring, hire an electrician to inspect the house. This type of wiring is not the safest for modern homes, and it’s wise for homeowners to have the whole home rewired if this is the case. The cost may seem hefty, but the safety of your home and loved ones is priceless.
Conclusion
Whether you have noticed any of the above electrical violations in your home or simply suspect that they are there, hire an electrician to inspect your home. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to electricity, and with an expert licensed electrician looking through your electrical system, any hidden issues can be drawn out and addressed. That being said, do invest in fixing any of these violations to ensure your home is a safe and comfortable place to live in!
B Town Electric is an OSHA 10 certified electrical services provider offering electrical work covering residential, commercial, and industrial needs. If you are looking for licensed residential electricians in Hampshire County, Hamdpen County, or Franklin County, MA to fix any electrical violations in your home, contact us right away!
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