


Our homes grow old just like we do. They begin to creak and moan. They begin to show their age.
Some of those problems are obvious. Others cannot be seen. That means our homes need periodic checkups just like we do.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), many older homes that still have outdated wiring can’t handle the electrical load of today’s modern appliances and could pose a fire hazard.
As electrical components age or become overloaded, the system can overheat and wear out insulation. This can lead to arcs and short circuits — the two main causes of home electrical wiring fires, according to the CPSC. In addition, old rubber wire insulation can become brittle and easily flake, leaving wires exposed.
Older knob-and-tube wiring was commonly used in homes built before 1950. It can handle around 60 amps at most, while most houses need at least 150 amps. This can overload the wiring, posing serious safety and fire hazards.
If your house was built between 1965 and 1973, it could be dangerous for another reason. Aluminum wiring was used in about 1.5 million homes that were built during that time period. Unfortunately, this poses a significant fire hazard because it’s more brittle, oxidizes more easily and expands more when heated compared to copper. Homes wired with aluminum are 55 times more likely to have a connection reach fire hazard condition than homes wired with copper according to the CPSC.
If you own an older home, consider calling a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical system so you know it’s safe and adequately meets the needs of your home.
This is especially important if you notice any of the following:
- Frequent circuit breaker tripping or blown fuses
- Unusual power draws or dimming or flickering lights
- Discolored or warm outlets
- Appliances shut off when you turn on a light
- Burning smell or popping or sizzling sound coming from electronics
You should also consider upgrading your outlets if you can only use two-pronged plugs (and not three-pronged plugs) because they are not grounded. Also check to make sure you have ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) near faucets or other sources of water in your home.
Wiring Warning Definitions:
Electric Overload — If the electric system in your home becomes overloaded it can cause shocks or a fire.
Short Circuit — A short circuit happens when electricity leaks out of the path wires set for it. This often happens when insulation deteriorates or is damaged. A short circuit can cause an electric arc, which could in turn start a fire.
Ground Fault — A ground fault is similar to a short circuit in that electricity has gone off path. In a ground fault, the electricity is not leaking aimlessly, but is instead headed to the ground. Electricity will get to the ground the quickest way possible, even if that means traveling through a human body. An electrician can install ground fault circuit interrupters, which detect and prevent these situations. You should have GFCIs anywhere water and electricity could meet, such as bathrooms and kitchens.