Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 8, Issue 2, February 2004

Copyright 2004 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article below in your research. Be sure to cite the Seattle Sun as your source.

AROUND THE HOME:

Proper home wiring needed

for new electronic devices

By MATT MAURY

Have you ever noticed the ads in the paper that feature special prices for extension cords with six or more outlets? Or, have you walked into an electronics department and found a wall of multiple outlet power cords?

This single household item is a big clue as to why home power consumption is at an all-time high. Americans have a craving for more and more electrical appliances, toys and gadgets. In most older homes, there aren't enough power outlets for all the plugs. Or, if there are, they are not properly grounded. Thus, the need arises for multi-outlet power cords.

However, often the problem is not in the number of outlets, it is behind the walls in the home.

Older homes, built before the advent of electric toothbrushes, DVD players and hot tubs, were constructed under electrical codes that are outdated for today's needs. These old systems have fuse boxes with up to 100-amp capacity. (To put this into perspective, a microwave oven or dishwasher should each have a 20-amp fuse.)

Each fuse has a rated capacity of, say, 15 or 20 amps. When the power flow is increased above this level, the fuse blows. As more electrical appliances, games, gadgets, lights, etc., are added to a circuit, the more often a fuse will blow.

So, sometimes, a homeowner will replace an original fuse with one of higher amperage (perhaps a 30-amp for a 20-amp one) under the impression that the larger fuse is better because it doesn't blow out as often.

Nothing could be farther from the truth!

The original low-amperage fuse is the "safety valve" that blows out before the wiring become so hot that it could set a home on fire. The higher-amperage fuse allows overheating to take place in wires in the walls, thereby becoming a potential cause of a serious fire.

If you live in an older home and fuses blow out frequently, wall outlets are overloaded through three-prong adapters, and electric lights dim as appliances turn on, then serious thought should be given to updating the electrical system.

This starts with the installation of a new 125-amp or larger electrical panel with circuit breakers. Then, the wall outlets will be wired for three-prong plugs, with new outlets added, as needed, for lamps, computers, and appliances.

Microwave ovens, dishwashers, computer systems, furnaces (the air-circulating fans), hot tubs, power tools and any other big energy users should be on separate dedicated circuits.

The cost of updating can be from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the project.

When selecting an electrician, it is comforting to know that Washington State licenses them only after they pass a competency test. There are four types of electrician's licenses issued: a Low-Voltage License (good for installing security systems, etc.); a Residential License; a Commercial License; and an Elevator License.

An electrician with either a Residential or Commercial License can rewire a home. However, it is recommended that you search around to find an electrical contractor that has experience working in older homes, so as to minimize the damage to existing walls, plumbing, floors, etc.

As might be guessed, a contractor who does the wiring in new homes, before the sheet-rock is up, would probably be challenged by rewiring an existing structure. A good electrician will make sure that an electrical permit is secured (it's required!) from the local building authorities, who will inspect the work when it is completed.

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Matt Maury is president of the Home Owners Club of Seattle. His column is intended to help homeowners better understand the complexities of owning and maintaining their residences.

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