Your home’s electrical system may display one, a few, or several possible issues indicating you need to update your home’s electrical wiring. Mr. Electric of Baton Rouge has served countless homeowners, applying years of industry experience and quick, efficient service to upgrade electrical wiring in their old homes. We also have in-depth knowledge of the latest electrical code updates and perform wiring jobs to comply with them. Our team can explain what to look for that indicates it’s time for a home wiring upgrade. The following are examples of situations warranting new home wiring:

You Have Old House Wiring

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

You Have Ungrounded, Two-Pronged Outlets

Mr. Electric of Baton Rouge has seen virtually all signs of an outdated electrical system. One clear sign an update is necessary is ungrounded, two-pronged outlets. These outlets are a major safety hazard that endangers your electronics and your family. Because of their lack of proper grounding, a two-pronged outlet’s electrical excesses don’t have anywhere to go but into a person or device in contact with it. Even having a surge protector may not be enough to protect you and your devices from electrical excess. You can minimize 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 safeguard your devices and family against shock in areas around your home with high moisture. The current electrical code requires GFCIs in utility rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, spa or pool areas, unfinished basements or crawlspaces, and other areas. Generally, you also need GFCIs in all electrified areas outside your home. You have a higher risk of electrical shock if you don’t have these inexpensive and easy-to-install devices in your home.

You’re Missing AFCIs

AFCIs are essential to ensure safe and reliable energy use in and around your home. This technology prevents fire by acting like a circuit breaker. An AFCI will disconnect when a potentially dangerous arc happens. Electrical code requires AFCIs in bedrooms in all 50 states. In fact, some states require homeowners to have AFCIs in all circuits throughout their homes.

You Have Inadequate Appliance Outlets

Many outlets are different from each other in your home. For instance, outlets for appliances like washers, dryers, and ovens need to safely draw higher amounts of electricity to run them to their best performance. You didn’t always need special plugs for your home appliances, 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 Insufficient

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