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 With the large amount of electrical
equipment found in the modern home, it's no wonder that electrical upgrades are
becoming more common. Handling the electrical needs of today's homeowner is no
small task, and to keep everything running smoothly, new electrical wiring is
often a necessity, especially in homes built many decades ago. If you are
considering an electrical upgrade for your home, there are a few things you
should be aware of; an electrical wiring project is no small task, and the more
you know about what's available, the better you'll be able to communicate to
your contractor what you expect from the job.
Planning an Electrical Wiring
Project
A large electrical wiring project adds a considerable load to your
main electrical service. In about 25 percent of all homes, some type of service
upgrade is needed before new wiring can be installed. For example, many
homeowners will need to replace an older 60-amp electrical service with a new
service rated for 100 amps or more. A licensed electrician is needed for a job
like this.
Careful planning of a wiring project
ensures that you will have plenty of power for present and future needs.
Whether you are adding circuits in a room addition, wiring a remodeled kitchen,
or adding an outdoor circuit, consider all possible ways the space might be
used, and plan for enough electrical service to meet peak needs. One of the
worst things you can do as a homeowner is to spring for an electrical upgrade
that doesn't upgrade enough. With technology getting bigger and better, it's
important to make sure that your electrical wiring isn't simply good enough for
now, but good enough for whatever may come in the future.
Electrical Upgrades for Your Circuit
Breaker
Electrical wiring is not a job for most homeowners to tackle
themselves, but it is a good idea to know a little about what will be required
to bring your house up to speed when talking with your contractor.
One way to plan a new wiring project
is to look in your main circuit breaker. Though some homeowners might be
intimidated by their circuit breaker, most should easily be able to find the
size of the service, and read the amp rating printed on it. In most cases,
100-amp service provides enough power to handle most loads. A service rated for
60-amps or less may need to be upgraded.
Look for open circuit breaker slots
in the main circuit breaker panel. You will need one open slot for each
120-volt circuit that you may plan to install, and two slots for each 240-volt
circuit. If your main circuit-breaker panel has no open breaker slots, you will
need to have a sub panel installed.
Electrical Inspectors
Remember,
all electrical wiring work requires review by your local electrical inspector
to make sure the changes conform to local electrical and building codes.
Failure to have proper permits and inspections can cause problems that can cost
far more time and money than some homeowners (or unscrupulous contractors) may
think they can save by doing work "under the table." You could have trouble
reselling your home in the future, or worse, your homeowners insurance could
refuse to cover your loss in a house fire because the house was altered
illegally!
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