The importance of preventive maintenance on the electrical system
If the electrical installation is provided by competent and reliable electric company Toronto, the homeowner expects that nothing wrong will happen. However, deterioration of the electrical system is normal. Deterioration is a gradual and slow process meaning that it can take years for the system to fail but in severe conditions, the system can become overloaded and the circuits can exhibit excessive duty cycling which can progressively make the problem worse. Insulation is used as protection on the electric wires but it can breakdown due to age which makes it a safety hazard. Electrical systems that have been installed decades ago lack the grounding system that creates a path to the ground to prevent fires and short circuits. Preventive maintenance will ensure that all potential hazards are eliminated so that the electrical system is able to comply with local building and fire codes.
Indications that the electrical system is a safety hazard
- Breakers trip frequently
- Fuses blow regularly
- Lights dim and flicker
- Burning smell is present in a particular appliance
- Outlets and switches become discolored
- Tingling sensation is felt when wall switches are touched
- Rooms that are exposed to moisture like the bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms lack ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
The threat of wiring installations before 1966
Electrical wirings that have been installed before 1966 poses the most serious safety threats because electrical wires then were insulated with rubber. Rubber can crumble when it becomes hard and brittle and the live electrical wires are exposed. Knob and tube wiring was the standard method of installation for an electrical system in North America from 1800 to the 1930’s. While many consider that the old knob and tubing is as safe as the modern installations, certain modifications to the system can make it particularly hazardous. The basic K&T installation only allows for 12 circuits in a home and it is not prepared to provide for the needs of high end appliances and electronic equipment that is the rave in this generation. The electric company Toronto can send an electrician so that the K&T electrical installation can be upgraded to modern wiring and declared safe.
Electricity provides many advantages for homes but it can be a serious threat if overlooked. Investment in preventive maintenance through the electric company Toronto will pay off in terms of safety. Preventive maintenance also reduces the needs for costly repairs and replacements as well as the elimination of electrical failures. Remember that nothing lasts forever and this includes your electrical system.