Existing Home Owner Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I get my home's electrical system inspected?

As a recent study from the Fire Protection Research Foundation showed, older homes can have serious electrical conditions that need to be inspected and fixed by electrical experts, such as a qualified electrician. Electrical fires that start behind your walls can be among the most serious and deadly. Your family and the smoke alarms in your home may not detect an electrical fire until it is fully engulfed, giving you less time and fewer options for escape. Having your home inspected by a trained electrical professional, such as a qualified electrician, is a simple step to protect you, your family, and your home.

Who would be considered a “qualified electrician?”

A qualified electrician is a trained professional who has skills, knowledge, and experience related to the installation and repair of electrical wiring and equipment. These electricians should be familiar with the electrical building code requirements in the localities in which they work, and should also be familiar with the latest requirements of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®). If you have an older home and want it inspected, you also might want to consider finding an electrician who is familiar with the NFPA 73, Electrical Inspection Code for Existing Dwellings.

How much does an electrical inspection cost?

For a variety of reasons, the cost of an electrical inspection may vary, although it is typically small in comparison to other costs related to purchasing a home. Most importantly, the value of such an inspection is clear. By identifying potential hazards before a dangerous situation occurs you will be protecting your family and your home.

My electrical outlets look new. How do I know if there is a problem in my home?

A recent first-of-its-kind study from the Fire Protection Research Foundation shows that real electrical system dangers can exist and may remain hidden within and “behind the walls” of older homes. The best way to assess and improve the electrical safety of your home’s electrical system is to have it inspected by a qualified electrician.

Can I do my own wiring?

Our lives literally depend on the safe use of electricity in our homes. Electricity is a leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Even what some might think of as a “minor” problem can lead to fire. So, it is always safest to consult a trained electrical professional before having any electrical work done.

What type of wiring should my home have?

If wiring is properly installed and maintained, even older wiring can continue to perform effectively and safely. Problems can occur in any type of wiring when it has not been properly installed or maintained. Problems also occur when changes, that did not meet well recognized, proven safety provisions, have been made in the electrical system after the home was originally constructed. For owners of older homes, it is critical that their entire electrical system be inspected by a qualified electrician. Consult these professionals to find out what wiring would fit your home best.

What is the National Electrical Code® and how does it impact my home?

The National Electrical Code®, or NEC®, is the world's most widely adopted electrical safety code. The code is regularly updated to include the latest safety provisions and is published by the National Fire Protection Association. Homeowners should ensure that all electrical work done in their home meets the current electrical safety provisions. To do so, work with a qualified electrician.

What kinds of electrical safety hazards can I look for on my own?

• Check electrical cords to make sure the wires are not damaged, cracked or loose. If the cords need to be repaired, take the item to a professional repair shop, hire a qualified electrician, or replace with a new item.
• Make sure cords are not running across doorways or under carpets and avoid pinching cords against walls or furniture. If necessary, have a qualified electrician install more outlets.
• Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) reduce the risk of electric shock by interrupting the electrical circuit when a shock hazard exists. Your home should have GFCIs around kitchen countertops, in bathroom(s), near laundry and utility sinks, in the garage, outdoor areas, in crawl spaces, and in unfinished basements.

But remember, the recent, first-of-its-kind study from the Fire Protection Research Foundation shows that real electrical system dangers may exist and can remain hidden in older homes. The best way to assess and improve the electrical safety of your home is to have your home inspected by a trained electrical professional, such as a qualified electrician.

Where are ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) required to be installed by the current NEC®?

The 2008 National Electrical Code® (NEC®) mandates GFCI protection for all 125V, 15A, and 20A receptacles installed:

• in bathrooms
• to serve kitchen countertop surfaces
• near wet-bar, laundry and utility sinks
• in garages and accessory buildings
• in unfinished basements or crawl spaces
• outdoors
• near a pool, or just about anywhere else you're likely to encounter water or dampness.

The NEC® also now requires that if you replace an existing outlet in a location requiring GFCI protection, you must install a GFCI.

If your home doesn’t have GFCIs in these areas because the electrical system was installed in accordance with prior editions of the NEC®, you may want to consider installing GFCIs anyway. In the U.S., GFCI outlets are very affordable. Evaluate your own risk factors: Does your finished basement ever get wet? Do you have small children? Do you use your garage outlets to power outdoor tools? Does water or melted snow ever puddle inside your garage? If so, you should, at a minimum, have GFCI protection in those areas.

What problems constitute a fire risk?

Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have:

• Recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
• A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance or other metal objects
• Discolored or warm wall outlets
• A persistent burning smell or rubbery odor coming from an appliance, room, or area
• Flickering lights
• Sparks from an outlet
• Animal or insect infestation with the possibility of them gnawing on wiring
• Degradation due to moisture or flood damage
• Older homes with outdated wiring that may show signs of cracking or damage to the wire insulation.

Again, check with a qualified electrician before doing any work on your electrical system.

If my house does not meet some of the rules and regulations, what should I do?

If you are planning to change your wiring, first check with your local building department about the licensing, permitting, and inspection requirements that may apply in your community. Before doing electrical work, we recommend that you have your home’s electrical system inspected by a trained electrical professional, such as a qualified electrician. And, make certain that work done in your home meets the most current electrical safety requirements.