Does Your Home Need An Electrical System Upgrade?

Worried about your home’s electrical safety? Use this electrical inspection checklist to identify potential hazards, and see if it’s time for an upgrade.

1. Is the panel rated appropriately?
   Your home should have sub-panels that are sized according to their load. If you’ve added on or remodeled your kitchen, bathroom, etc., you may need a larger sub-panel than what was originally installed.
   An electrician can review your home’s electrical system and determine whether additional capacity is required.
2. Are all receptacles grounded?
   If not, some of your modern appliances (such as new computers and cell phone chargers) may not work correctly with older outlets that lack grounding wires.
   Depending on space, you might want to install an extra receptacle or two to make up for this.
3. Do the wiring colors match the receptacles?
   In general, black is used for hot wires and white for neutral wire connections. Green is commonly used as a grounding wire connection.
   If you find that different colors are present at a particular receptacle box, then this may be a sign of improper wiring – possibly by an amateur – which could pose a fire hazard.
4. Is there sufficient ventilation around your electrical outlets?
   Old or loosely fitted faceplates can cause overheating, posing a potential household fire hazard. This is especially important if pets often climb onto electrical appliances such as TVs and stereos.
   Modern outlets have built-in thermal protection to prevent overheating, but older models may not.
5. Are your outlets worn out?
   Loose-fitting faceplates or cracked or splitting casings can allow water to enter the outlet. This may pose an electrocution risk by creating a short circuit if any metal objects are dropped into the receptacle while it’s in use.
   If any of your electrical outlets are malfunctioning, then they should be replaced immediately.
6. Is there more than one power source feeding different rooms?
   Doors between rooms shouldn’t act as their wall outlets; this could pose a fire hazard if something were to be plugged in behind the door where you couldn’t see it (bathrooms are especially at risk for this).
   Adding a power source to the room is much safer than stringing wires between rooms.
7. Do your light switches work?
   Outdated or faulty wiring can cause light switches to wear out quickly if they’re not receiving full voltage.
   If any of your lights flicker, dim at certain times of the day, or burn out quickly, then it’s time for an upgrade.

These are only a few of the checkpoints during an electrical inspection. For a more comprehensive assessment and other electrical services, you need to call in a professional electrician.

Get Reliable Electrical Services

Do you live in Lincolnwood and would like an electrical system inspection or upgrade? At True Power Electric, we deal with all electrical-related services, and our services are affordable and customer-based.

If you’d like us to work on your system, contact us today, and we will be glad to help.