Electrical Safety Inspection
Originally written by Rory Ward of Rortech Electric
A lot of homeowners take their electrical systems for granted, but due to the many potential safety hazards, you should have yours professionally inspected on a recurrent basis. A safety inspection will give your electrician a chance to check the condition of wiring and other components to ensure safe, efficient system functioning.
One safety issue most people are unaware of is the age and condition of their electrical panels. Due to increasing reliance on electrical power, outdated panels are often insufficient to provide for modern needs. What’s more, certain older panels are known to pose fire hazards—specifically, those manufactured by Zinsco and Federal Pacific. When a circuit overloads on these panels, the breaker fails to detect it, and instead of tripping like it should, it overheats and catches fire.
Another common electrical safety issue is improper wire splicing. When wires are loosely or otherwise incorrectly connected, they can overheat at the connection point, creating a fire hazard. For this reason, it’s important to make sure your home’s connections are properly twisted, cut clean and capped.
Other things an electrician will check for during a safety inspection are loose outlets, improper grounding, and missing GFI protection in bathrooms and kitchens. In addition to addressing these safety hazards, your electrician will be able to recommend upgrades to save energy and improve performance.
