Common Mistakes To Avoid When Rewiring Your Home

Rewiring a house is not an easy task and requires careful attention to detail. It is a time-consuming process that involves opening walls, lifting carpets and floorboards to access wiring. It may take days to complete a house’s rewiring.

1. Overloading Outlets

Overloaded circuits can cause fires because they overheat and melt wire insulation. To prevent an overload, you need to know what each circuit does and how much power it can handle. Some circuits are dedicated to appliances like your furnace or microwave, while others provide electricity for multiple outlets and standard receptacles. The number of devices that can be plugged into one outlet is called its load rating. The total load of all the devices connected to that circuit should never exceed that maximum draw, or it could heat up and melt the wire insulation. If you see any signs that a circuit is overloaded, move all the devices from it to another general-purpose circuit before flipping the breaker back on or replacing the fuse.

2. Failing To Install A Junction Box

When it comes to wiring your home, it is important to be safe and follow electrical codes. Even a single mistake can lead to a dangerous situation that could cause harm to you or your family. This is why it is very important to always install a junction box, where all wire connections (splices) can be easily and safely made. These boxes are available in metal and plastic materials. Both types can accommodate a variety of wire sizes and number of conductors, depending on their size.

3. Cutting Wires Too Short

One of the most common mistakes that people make when rewiring their homes is cutting wires too short. This is a mistake that can cause a serious electrical problem, as well as pose an unsafe fire hazard. A short circuit occurs when a hot wire touches a neutral wire or an object that isn’t meant to carry electricity. The resulting sparks can singe wires, outlets, and walls. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent short circuits from occurring. For example, hot and neutral wires should always be insulated, which prevents them from touching each other. However, over time, the insulation can degrade and lose its effectiveness. If you’re unsure if your wires are insulated properly, have an electrician check them out to ensure they are.

4. Electrical Circuitry

The lights turn on when you flip the switch, the TV works and your fridge keeps food cold — not bad for a home built more than 40 years ago. But if you’re in the market for a major home improvement project, you don’t want to overlook the electrical circuitry. A lot of time and effort goes into designing and installing a new system, but the end result should be a happy family and a functional powerhouse for many years to come. Unfortunately, a lot of well-intentioned do-it-yourselfers are prone to making the wrong type of electrical missteps, which can lead to both minor and major problems down the road.

5. Failing To Install A Circuit Breaker

Your home’s circuit breaker is a crucial safety device that prevents electrical fires and dangerous shocks. When a switch on the breaker detects too much current, it trips and breaks the circuit, shutting off the power to all connected devices and appliances. The switch can be reset, but if the excess current occurs again, it will trip immediately and prevent power from flowing through the circuit. Before you begin rewiring, make sure you’ve installed a new breaker in the right spot. Your local electrician will help you determine the best spot for a new breaker.

Categorised in: Wiring

This post was written by admin