For safe, effective electrical outlet installation, it is essential to hire professional, licensed electrical contractors in Woodstock, GA.
With video tutorials on nearly every aspect of home renovations, many homeowners attempt electrical outlet installation on their own. The problem is that homeowners rarely have professional training for working around electricity, putting themselves, their homes, and their electrical systems at risk. Before attempting outlet installation, consult with your local expert electrical installation contractors in Woodstock, GA.
How to Know It’s Time to Install New Electrical Outlets
When moving into a new home or considering upgrades for your current one, knowing when you need new electrical outlets installed helps you safely plan for electrical updates. Modern technology requires more energy to power the various appliances we depend on for comfort and convenience. Some homeowners believe that a new, shiny cover plate means they have an up-to-date electrical outlet, but professionals know that looks can deceive untrained eyes.
Easy ways to tell whether you need to upgrade your electrical outlets or install new ones include:
- A circuit breaker that trips more often than other ones
- The need to use power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords
- Outlets with two prongs as opposed to three
- Damage to plugs, including discoloration, cracks, or a loose fit
How to Know if Your Outlets Are Up-to-Date
Before beginning an upgrade or installation, professional electricians in Woodstock, GA, ensure that your wiring stands up to scrutiny. Older wiring consists of black and white wires, each performing a different function.
Black Wire
Called hot wires, black wires bring electricity from the breaker panel into the outlets.
White Wire
Called neutral wires, white wires take any unused electricity delivered to your outlet and return it to the breaker panel.
New electrical set-ups require hot and neutral wires but include an additional ground wire. Encased in green, the ground wire typically won’t actively move electricity. However, if your outlet suffers from unstable electrical conditions, the ground wire absorbs the unstable energy and wires it into the ground and away from your home.
Once your electrician establishes that your electrical set-up meets modern-day safety standards, they’ll move forward with your outlet installation.
Is It Safe for Homeowners to Install Electrical Outlets?
Long View Lighting’s first priority involves the safety of homeowners and their houses. Trained electricians don’t recommend that homeowners attempt electrical outlet installation. Without professional training, homeowners often don’t have awareness regarding these considerations:
- The age and condition of existing hardware and circuits
- The tools and testing equipment required for safe electrical outlet installation
- The safety conditions that guarantee problem-free electrical work
- The recommended or legally required upgrades when replacing an existing outlet
What Are Some Examples of Electrical Outlet Installation Code?
Since different rooms have specific electrical needs, the National Fire Protection Association has established safety codes to protect homes from electrical malfunctions. Some examples of these safety codes include:
General Outlet Installation
- Walls wider than 24 inches can have an outlet.
- Hallways longer than ten feet require at least one outlet.
- General room electricity requires 15 amp circuits.
- There should be an outlet placed every 12 feet.
Kitchens
- GFCI outlets only
- No face-up electrical outlets
- Kitchen islands require at least one outlet
- Countertop outlets need at least two branch circuits
Bathrooms
- GFCI outlets only
- No face-up electrical outlets
- At least one outlet installed within three feet of the sink basin
What Can Happen with DIY Electrical Outlet Installation?
Each year in the U.S., over 20,000 electrical fires affect homes. Improperly installed electrical outlets contribute to that number, making outlet installation a dangerous undertaking for DIY projects. With approximately 1,400 injuries and 500 deaths reported each year, the risk of self-installation far exceeds the cost of hiring a professional electrician.
Besides causing a fire, you could also suffer electric shocks while attempting an electrical outlet installation. Whether at the outlet itself or the circuit breaker, amateur hands quickly turn into lightning rods. The amount of electricity coursing through your home can cause burns, internal injuries, or even death if you mishandle it.
When You Need Electrical Outlet Installation, Stay Safe by Hiring Woodstock, GA, Electrical Professionals
Safe electrical outlet installation requires a working knowledge of electricity, experience with electrical tools and equipment, and a thorough understanding of electrical code. Attempting to install or exchange your electrical outlets independently can create dangerous conditions for your health, home, and electrical system. Call to learn more about electrical outlet installation with Long View Lighting in Woodstock, GA, or to explore the guide to puppy-proofing wires.
LūME Sales & Marketing