I had never heard of the Paragon home wiring system until I started researching ways to update the electrical system in my 1970s era house. As I dug into the history and technology behind Paragon, I realized it was a revolutionary wiring method that transformed home electrical installations due to its safety, flexibility and ease of use. However, Paragon never gained widespread popularity or recognition, even though it solved many of the problems with traditional home electrical systems.
What Is the Paragon Home Wiring System?
The Paragon system is a method of wiring a home using insulated aluminium cables that plug into outlets and fixtures using special connectors. It was developed in the 1960s as an alternative to traditional knob and tube wiring and armored cable wiring.
Some key advantages of the Paragon system include:
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Safety - The insulated cables and connectors reduce the risk of shocks and fire. The aluminium conductors emit heat faster than copper if overloaded.
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Flexibility - Cables can be routed anywhere and are not permanent installations. New circuits can be added by simply plugging in a new cable.
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Ease of use - No special skills or tools required. Homeowners can wire their own homes.
The Paragon system consists of:
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Aluminum wiring cables - Insulated with a thermoplastic jacket rated for 240 volts. Available in different sizes.
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Junction boxes - Special boxes with built-in connectors to join cables.
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Outlet and fixture adapters - Allow cables to plug directly into outlets and light fixtures.
The Genius of the Paragon System's Design
The Paragon system solved many of the safety and usability issues with traditional electrical wiring methods used in homes. This revolutionary design made Paragon superior in many ways:
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All connections are pluggable - No loose wires to splice together. Reduces faulty and dangerous connections.
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No exposed conductors - Cables are insulated end-to-end. Virtually eliminates risk of shocks and short circuits.
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Aluminum conductors allow smaller gauge sizes vs copper - Cables are more flexible and easier to work.
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Junction boxes have built-in circuit protection - Prevents dangerous overloads on a circuit.
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Simplified installation - Modular design enables do-it-yourself installations. Minimal tools or skills needed.
The Paragon system was like an Erector Set for home wiring. It allowed any homeowner to safely customize their electrical system, add new circuits, rearrange outlets and lights, and complete upgrades or repairs without any special training.
Why Paragon Never Caught On Despite Its Benefits
Given the significant safety and usability advantages of the Paragon system, it is surprising that it did not become the standard for home wiring across America. There are a few key reasons Paragon never gained widespread adoption:
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Higher upfront costs - The specialty cables, boxes and adapters made Paragon costlier than traditional wiring on initial installation.
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Lack of code approval - Many local building codes did not include specifications to allow Paragon, hampering adoptions.
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No industry support - Electricians resisted Paragon because do-it-yourself installations reduced their workload.
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No major backer or market leader - Paragon was produced by small companies without the marketing budgets to drive large scale adoption.
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Shift back to copper wiring - After a brief period of interest, aluminium wiring fell out of favor again due to safety concerns.
So while Paragon provided an innovative and problem-solving approach to home wiring, the entrenched electrical industry and changing market winds prevented it from becoming a widespread success. But for those who did adopt Paragon, it modernized and enhanced their home's electrical system for comfort, safety and flexibility.
My Experience Installing Paragon Wiring in My Home
When I bought my 1970s home, it still had the original aluminum wiring which was notorious for safety issues. I wanted to upgrade to a safer, more modern system but did not want to pay an electrician or tear open walls for new wiring. This led me to research alternative wiring solutions, and I discovered the Paragon system.
I decided Paragon was ideal for my needs because of its safety features and flexible DIY-friendly design. Ordering the Paragon components was easy - I could purchase pre-cut cables, outlet adapters, junction boxes and all the parts I needed.
Working with the Paragon system was simple. The modular plug-and-play connections let me run cables anywhere without splicing. I could add new circuits by just plugging in a cable between the junction boxes. Swapping out old outlets and switches was a breeze with the adapter connectors.
In the end, I felt empowered to have customized and upgraded our home's wiring myself using Paragon. I gained peace of mind knowing the house now had a modern, safer electrical system. While Paragon never reached mass adoption, I'm thankful it provided the perfect solution for modernizing the wiring in my older home.