If you own an older house, you may be nervous about the results of an electrical inspection. An examination like this may be made easier with the services of electricians Hawthorn VIC. Even though the ensuing labour might be rather substantial at times, the rewards are usually well worth it. Your family and your property will be protected from any possible electrical threats if you keep the electrical system up to date and maintain it properly.
Furthermore, contemporary appliances may now use the necessary amount of power without often tripping breakers if the wiring is updated. You may be certain that your house is in accordance with local construction rules, that you and your family are secure, and that your insurance costs will be reduced. You will also have an easier time selling your property afterward if you get it inspected.
Common Electrical Problems in Old Houses that Electricians Hawthorn VIC, can Reveal
During an electrical examination of an older property, professionals will be on the lookout for a variety of typical issues. Some problems are annoyances that have the potential to develop into safety dangers in the future. On the other hand, some other problems are current concerns that need to be addressed as soon as possible. These are some of the most typical electrical issues seen in older houses. Electricians Hawthorn VIC, can inform you about it and provide suggestions, among other services.
1. Instead of a modern circuit breaker panel, a fuse box is there
When a circuit is overloaded, power is securely shut off by either a fuse or a circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel. When a circuit is overloaded, a circuit breaker may be switched off, and the wires can be unplugged and replugged. On the other hand, a fuse box can burn the wires, often known as "blowing a fuse." Because of this, the fuse has to be changed before power can be supplied to that circuit again.
2. A wiring system consisting of knobs and tubes
Developed in the 1950s and earlier, knob-and-tube wiring is an outdated home electrical wiring technique that does not provide enough power to operate current equipment. Knob-and-tube wires provide a fire danger due to their tendency to overheat. Fortunately, licenced electricians Hawthorn VIC, can assist with a complete swap.
3. Aluminum wires
The use of aluminium wire, common in buildings constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, is another example of an obsolete wiring technique. The metal becomes hotter than regular copper wires. And this makes it more likely that electrical connections may loosen and cause arcing, melting insulation, and potential fires.
4. When using electricity, circuit breakers frequently trip
A circuit breaker may trip when high-energy appliances consume more energy than the breaker is designed to handle. That being said, if this happens often or without the use of a high-energy appliance, it may be a sign that the electrical system has weak connections.
5. The use of two-prong rather than three-prong plugs
A lack of a third prong indicates the outlet is not grounded, meaning you can't use any of your three-pronged devices. This indicates that it does not include ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs.) These are the devices that protect people from being electrocuted in moist environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. The GFCI shuts off the circuit in under four milliseconds, preventing a potentially fatal shock.
6. There are no modern outlets for new appliances, which electricians Hawthorn VIC, can fix
Many older houses have fewer electrical outlets than our modern lifestyle and expectations need. To make up for this, some homeowners choose to wire more outlets into their homes' pre-existing electrical systems. Overloading individual circuits may have far-reaching consequences for the reliability of your electrical infrastructure.
How Does an Electrical Inspection Work?
Everything that uses electricity will be thoroughly inspected during an electrical inspection, from the outlets and switches to the wiring and the appliances, to make sure they are up to code. The following is some information that will give you an idea of what to expect from an electrical inspection carried out by electricians Hawthorn VIC:
- Every potential source of electric shock or electrocution shall be evaluated and fixed. Overloaded circuits and frayed electrical lines are two examples.
- The electrician will make sure that all arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are functioning as intended. Because of this, arcing caused by faulty connections will be prevented.
- All smoke detectors and CO detectors will be checked to ensure they are working properly, and their locations will be further checked.
- There will be a check of the electrical panel to make sure everything is labelled, has the right amount of amperage, and is functioning properly.
- In addition to that, the electrician will investigate any outside electrical systems that are there.
- All of the emergency and security lights must be inspected as part of this process. This makes sure the grounding system is set up and working properly to prevent electrocution in damp locations.
- During the course of an inspection of a house or place of business, licenced electricians Hawthorn VIC, will determine whether or not the light switches and wall outlets are in satisfactory condition. A part of this process is looking for telltale symptoms of overheating caused by defective wiring.
- Whole-house surge protectors will be put through their paces to make sure they are in good working order if present in the residence.
What happens after the inspection?
When the job is done, a professional electrician should provide you with a comprehensive report. Your home's electrical system will be analysed, and the report will highlight any trouble spots. Licensed electricians Hawthorn VIC, will go through the report with you, provide in-depth explanations of any problems they find, and address any concerns you may have.
