San Diego Electrical Professionals Society

Electrical Upgrades for Older Homes

Older homes will always have that quaint, vintage charm, but any contractor will say that one of its least charming attributes are the upgrades that would have to be done to keep it safe an up to code.

The San Diego Electrical Professionals Society is urging owners of older homes to ensure that their residences have electrical fixtures and systems that are up to the current code to avoid accidents and penalties in the future.

SDEPS President John Lucas says it is important that an older home be inspected upon purchase, and have all the necessary upgrades made even before the new owner moves into it.

“Older homes do not have the electrical capacity for the new appliances, home equipment, and even personal digital devices of today. This may be a safety issue, and an issue of convenience. They may not also have enough outlets, as the generation of today would like to have,” explains Lucas.

Realhomes.com explains that the usual electrical fixture that needs an upgrade in older homes is its wiring system. Independent Electrical Contractors Association:

“If your house has not been rewired within the last 25–30 years, then it will likely need rewiring at least in part. If you are unsure, don’t take any chances — call in a competent electrician to check. To ensure everything stays working as it should, it’s good practice to have electrics professionally inspected every 10 years. On completion of this, the electrician will produce an EICR or Electrical Installation and Condition Report.” Read the rest of the explanation here.

Possible Repercussions of outdated electrical systems

HouseLogic says there are a host safety issues that an outdated electrical system may present. Unfortunately this includes electrical fires which can cause loss of lives and property. Association of Edison Illuminating Companies

“The older your house is, the greater the chances that the wiring might be outdated or unsafe. Old wiring—even knob and tube wiring that dates back to the early 20th century—isn’t inherently dangerous, but unless you were around when the house was built, you can’t be sure the electrical system is up to code. Plus, materials such as wire insulation can deteriorate over time.” Check out the full explanation here.

According to the SDEPS owners of older homes should be aware of the warning signs of an outdated wiring. Here are some to watch out for:

Flickering lights or lights that suddenly dim even if the bulbs are new.
Fuses repeatedly blow, and breakers trip every time.
Slight shock whenever you touch an appliance or electrical fixture
Burning smell
Burnt or discolored marks on sockets and outlet plugs

The SDEPS says to ensure the electrical safety in an older home, it will always be best to consult a licensed electrician and have him perform a thorough electrical inspection.