Upgrading the overhead electrical wiring in your home or business to meet current electrical standards is an important safety consideration that can prevent fires, electrocutions, and loss of power. As an electrician, I often recommend homeowners and business owners upgrade their outdated electrical systems to take advantage of improved safety features and increased capacity.
Reasons to Upgrade Overhead Electrical Wiring
There are several key reasons why upgrading overhead electrical wiring is recommended:
Safety
- Old wiring can become brittle and cracked over time, leading to exposed wires that can cause fires or electrocution.
- Insulation on older wiring often degrades, creating shock and fire hazards.
- Overloaded circuits from outdated wiring can overheat and ignite flammable materials.
- Upgrading to modern wiring like copper or aluminum helps prevent these risks.
Increased Electrical Load Capacity
- Older wiring may not provide sufficient capacity for added appliances and electronics.
- Upgrading allows safely meeting higher power demands from devices.
- It also allows circuit breakers to operate properly to prevent overloads.
Improved Reliability
- Faulty connections in old wiring can cause intermittent power losses.
- Corroded and loose connections in outdated wire cause flickering lights.
- New wiring eliminates these connection issues for more reliable power.
Added Safety Features
- Modern wiring includes grounding to reduce shock risks.
- Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) detect dangerous arcing and shut off power.
- Surge protectors guard against voltage spikes harming equipment.
- Circuit breakers that fully disconnect power improve safety.
Evaluating Your Existing Electrical Wiring
Determining if your overhead electrical wiring needs upgrading involves several important checks:
Age of Wiring
- Wiring over 30-40 years old likely needs upgrading due to degradation.
- Very old wiring made from cloth-covered copper is unsafe.
- Outdated aluminum wiring installed in 1960s-1970s is prone to hazards.
Wire Gauge
- Small gauge wire like 14 or 12 AWG wiring limits capacity.
- Larger 10 AWG or 8 AWG copper wiring allows more power safely.
Insulation Condition
- Brittle, cracked, or frayed insulation can expose bare wires creating dangers.
- New wiring should have thick, intact PVC plastic or rubber insulation.
Grounding
- Proper grounding is vital for safety and should be evaluated.
- 3-prong outlets must be grounded to prevent shocks and stabilize voltage.
Overloaded Circuits
- Tripped breakers, dimming lights, or overheated outlets suggest overloaded, insufficient wiring.
Options for New Overhead Electrical Wiring
When upgrading home or business wiring, key decisions include:
Copper vs. Aluminum
- Copper wiring is preferred for safety and reliability. But aluminum is cheaper.
- Larger gauge aluminum can be used safely in most cases by skilled electricians.
Wire Capacity
- For a whole home rewire, I recommend 200 amp service with thick 2/0 AWG copper feeders.
- Critical circuits like kitchens need minimum 20 amp capacity with 12 AWG wiring.
Wiring Installation Method
- Open overhead wiring with individual circuits versus bundled branch circuit wiring.
- Conduit or armored cable provide physical protection for wiring.
Added Safety Features
- AFCIs, surge protectors, ample grounding and GFCIs where needed.
- Include adequate circuit breaker panels for all circuits.
Electrical Codes for Overhead Wiring Upgrades
All overhead wiring upgrades must meet local and national electrical codes:
- National Electrical Code (NEC) contains wiring standards accepted nationwide.
- Local codes can impose added requirements so check with your city.
- Permits and inspections are typically required for overhead rewiring.
- Only licensed electricians should perform upgrades to ensure code compliance.
- Key aspects checked include wiring gauge, connections, grounding, and installation method.
Proper overhead electrical wiring is vital for safety in our homes and workplaces. Upgrading outdated, insufficient wiring requires evaluating your current system and making prudent improvements. Partnering with professional licensed electricians ensures your overhead rewiring project meets all electrical codes and provides maximum safety for decades to come.