10 Typical Electrical Wiring Problems of Older Homes – Part 2

As mentioned in Part 1, older homes have a greater chance of hiding hazardous electrical problems therefore regular inspections should be performed by a licensed electrician. Part 2 will discuss five more typical electrical wiring problems.

Outlet Shortage

There is usually a lack of outlets in older homes because of modern electrical usage. You may have to depend on power strips and extension cords in order to supply all your appliances and electronic devices with electricity. However, this may lead to overloading circuits and electrical fires. Consult with an electrician regarding your home’s electrical needs and discuss installing more outlets.

Overlamping

This is caused by using a light bulb that has a higher wattage than what the fixture is designed to safely handle. Intense heat from the bulb will burn and melt the socket and wire insulation and cause arcing, which results in sparks jumping from wire to wire and potentially causing a fire.

Overwired Panels

An overwired panel holds more circuits than what its rating can handle. This is a code violation, so it will certainly become an issue if your house is for sale and the inspector finds this problem. Fortunately, an electrician can easily add a subpanel with extra slots.

Ungrounded Outlets

If all your home’s outlets are 2-pronged, it means they’re ungrounded and there’s no safe way to conduct stray current. To get around this, people may use a cheater plug so they can plug in a device with three prongs. This may be hazardous if the grounding tab is not connected to an electrical ground. It’s recommended to hire a licensed electrician to replace these outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) breaker outlets.

Worn Receptacle Contacts

Worn receptacle contacts will permit electric plugs to come loose and fall out. This is dangerous because loose contacts may arc and ignite. This should be an easy and affordable fix if you hire a professional.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured. Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.