Your home’s electrical system may display one or more of many possible signs indicating it’s time to update your home’s electrical wiring. Mr. Electric of Central Iowa has helped countless homeowners with upgrading electrical wiring in their old homes with quick, efficient service and years of industry expertise. We also understand the latest electrical code updates and complete wiring jobs to comply with them. The following are examples of signs you need to update the electrical wiring in your home:

You Have Old House Wiring

Rewiring a house’s electrical system is a large and complex project. Fortunately, electrical experts like Mr. Electric of Central Iowa don't always need to replace an old home's wiring completely. However, some of its wiring will typically need to go. For instance, aluminum wiring you might find in homes built in the 1960s and 1970s are well-known safety hazard. Other examples of hazardous wiring include knob and tube wiring in pre-1930s homes and non-metallic wiring in homes from the 1940s and 1950s. We also replace frayed wires and loose connections from botched do-it-yourself projects or wear and tear over time.

You Have Ungrounded, Two-Pronged Outlets

Mr. Electric of Central Iowa has seen various signs of an outdated electrical system, one clear sign being ungrounded, two-pronged outlets. These outlets are a significant safety hazard, endangering your family and your electronics. Because of their lack of proper grounding, a two-pronged outlet’s electrical excesses have nowhere to go but into a device or person in contact with it. Even having a surge protector may not protect you and your devices from electrical excess. You can reduce shock risks quickly and easily by having our technicians install three-pronged outlets and grounded wires.

You’re Missing GFCIs

You can identify outlets with GFCIs by the “Test” and ”Reset” buttons on their receptacles. GFCIs protect your family and devices against shock in areas with high moisture around your home. The current electrical code requires GFCIs in kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, laundry rooms, spa or pool areas, garages, unfinished basements or crawlspaces, and other areas. Generally, you need GFCIs in all electrified areas outside your home as well. You risk a shocking experience if you don’t have these inexpensive and easy-to-install devices in these residential areas.

You’re Missing AFCIs

AFCIs are an essential way to ensure safety and reliable energy use throughout your home. This technology prevents fire because it acts like a circuit breaker, disconnecting when a potentially dangerous arc occurs. The electrical code requires AFCIs in bedrooms in all 50 states. Some states require homeowners to have AFCIs in all circuits throughout their homes.

You Have Inadequate Appliance Outlets

Not every outlet is the same in your home. For example, outlets for appliances like ovens, washers, and dryers need to safely draw higher amounts of electricity to run them to their best performance. Home appliances didn’t always require special plugs, but today’s appliances require a 240-volt outlet for each heavy-duty appliance. You’ll find three-pronged plug wiring for older electrical systems. Most of the latest 240 plugs include four prongs to improve safety because of the ground wire addition.

Your Home’s Electrical Panel is Inadequate

Do you know how many amps power your home? 60-amp breaker wiring was sufficient for homes a couple of decades ago, but today’s houses typically need 100 to 200 amps to successfully power all electronics and appliances people use simultaneously. These devices include refrigerators, air conditioners, flat-screen televisions, and mobile devices. Installing upgraded breaker box wiring is the best way to meet your home’s increasing energy needs.