If you are buying an older home, you need to make sure things are in good condition. One of these things is the electrical work. There are some electrical problems that can lead to fires, which can spread quickly. Keep reading to learn about what an electrician will inspect in your home.
Check Circuit Breakers
One of the most important things to inspect is the circuit breaker panel. This panel has breakers that power different areas of your home. For example, one breaker may power lights in a room, another breaker may power your stove or other appliance.
Newer electronics require more power, and circuit breakers may need to have higher amps. The electrician will ask you what type of appliances you are installing in the home, as well as what type of electrical devices you will have, such as computers, laptops, etc. Something like a refrigerator or stove that has a lot of electronics requires a lot of power.
If they find the amps are not high enough the electrician will replace the circuit breaker. Because the house is old you may want to consider the entire circuit breaker panel be replaced, along with the electrical wiring.
Check Outlets
The electrician will check all outlets in the home to ensure they are in good condition. They have a device they can use to test the outlet. If something is found, they will remove the outlet and install a new one.
If one or more outlets are dead the electrician will check the circuit breaker for the room the outlet is on. If the circuit breaker is off, the electrician will turn it on to see if the outlet starts working again. They will then determine why the breaker shut off in the first place as this is a sign there are other electrical problems in the home. Also, what you are plugging into the outlet may not be working so the electrician will plug something else into the outlet.
Something else to consider is the number of outlets is in each room. Because the home is older, it may have only one outlet in each room. Consider the electronic devices that you have, such as smartphones, laptops, or tablets, that all need to be charged. The electrician can add more outlets for you.
The electrician will likely check many more things in the home, such as fuses, lighting, and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
For more information, contact a company like Etheridge Electric Company Inc.