Common Electrical Code Violations That a Professional Will Find and Fix

Electrical issues are to blame for more than 51,000 house fires and almost 500 deaths each year. Many of those fires result from easily preventable electrical code violations. Needless to say, that’s a good reason to ensure your Charleston, SC home’s wiring is up to code. Here are three of the most common violations that can be identified and fixed by a professional electrician.

Outdated Technology

Prior to around 1950, most homes were wired using a method called knob-and-tube wiring. It was the accepted standard practice from the late 1800s to the 1940s, but it’s now recognized as highly dangerous. Knob-and-tube wiring doesn’t include proper grounding, can’t handle modern amperage needs and employs wire insulation that’s prone to disintegrating. If you own a historic home that uses this technology, a complete rewiring is the only way to ensure safety and code compliance.

Dangerous Splices

There’s arguably no electrical practice more dangerous – or more common – than splicing together wires. It’s often done during temporary work, but any permanent splices in your home could be big trouble. They pose a substantial risk of malfunction, electrocution and even fire. If found, a professional will likely try to rewire the offending section without a splice. If a splice is unavoidable, it can be done safely by using a junction box.

Crowded Wiring

The wiring in your home needs to be well-insulated to prevent electrical and fire hazards. Unfortunately, there are some practices that can erode and strip away that protective insulation. One of the worst is cramming too many wires through the holes in your framing members during the rough-in stage. Packing wires through these holes can cause “burning,” damaging their insulation and creating a real fire hazard.

Finding out your home has electrical code violations is a nasty surprise, but it’s far better than risking a fire. A professional electrician can find these and other issues and repair them safely and effectively. To ensure your home is up to code, check out Mister Sparky® of Charleston’s electrical services or call (843) 418-0696.