Customer Newsletter, March 2010

Short Circuits: Old Wiring Could Be Hazardous

Did you know that one-third of American homes were built over 50 years ago? Think about the changes in demand for electricity since that time. Although most older home electrical systems have been upgraded over the years there may still be shortcomings. Homeowners in the 1930s didn't use a lot of electrical appliances except for a refrigerator, a few lights and a radio. An explosion of appliance purchases followed in the late ‘40s and early '50s, and the arrival of air conditioning during the ‘60s soon rendered many mid-century home electrical systems obsolete. More recently, residences built as little as 20 years ago might be insufficient for handling entertainment systems and personal computers.

"Residential electrical systems are seldom inspected after they are installed and tend to be destroyed in house fires," explains John Drengenberg, consumer affairs manager for Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. "Homeowners shouldn’t assume all is well simply because fuses aren't blowing, circuit breakers tripping, or they're not receiving shocks or smelling burnt plastic. Inside the walls, wire insulation could be cracking and crumbling, especially if wires are drawing more current than they were designed to handle. The wood frame above plaster ceilings could also become charred by light bulbs that are too close to the ceiling or higher in wattage than the light fixture's rating."

To avoid such hazards, consumers should understand the limits of home wiring systems. Often, this depends on when a home was built or if the electrical system was upgraded. In other cases, though, telltale signs may indicate a problem. Talk to a qualified electrician if:
  • You receive a shock from an electrical appliance, outlet, or wall switch
  • A fuse blows or a circuit breaker trips right after you replace or reset it
  • You have flickering or dimming lights
  • If receptacles or plugs are hot to the touch (may indicate an overload)
Another issue associated with older home wiring systems is the number of receptacles in each room. Today's electrical code requires outlets be placed every 12 feet of running wall space, about one per wall in the average 10-by-12-foot room. Houses built before 1956 were required to have outlets placed every 20 feet, while homes built before 1935 weren't required to have wall outlets at all.

Relying on extension cords is not the answer. Extension cords are meant for temporary use only and should not be a substitute for permanent wiring.

Proper grounding, meanwhile, prevents painful or even deadly electrical shocks when electricity flows through an improper path. Every home electrical system should have some type of grounding. Newer homes are wired with cables that include a ground wire. The ground wire allows for use of three-pronged receptacles needed to power certain appliances, particularly ones with metal shells, such as refrigerators and washing machines.

Many wiring systems installed in the 1950s and earlier used non-metallic wiring, which lacked a ground wire. Homes from this era boast only two-pronged outlets, unsuitable for many modern conveniences. Simply replacing two-pronged receptacles with three-pronged receptacles violates the National Electrical Safety Code if no ground path exists.

In some cases, older homes may feature newer wiring systems. But the era when the wiring was upgraded impacts electrical limitations. Before buying a home have someone certified in electrical work inspect the system to be safe.

Source: Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Other stories you'll find inside this edition:
  • Weathering the "Perfect Storm"
    • Our nation's electric utility industry is heading into a "perfect storm". More>>>
  • Refrigerator Recycling Program is Back!
    • Chances are, that old working refrigerator or freezer in your garage or basement is running up your electric bill. More>>>
  • EnergyWise Tip: "Conserving (Hot) Water is EnergyWise"
    • As a primarily agricultural-based state, water is especially important to the quality of live in Nebraska, and all Nebraskans have a responsibility to use it wisely. More>>>
  • Scholarship Applications Available
    • If you know a recent high school graduate, or a student who will graduate from high school in 2010, encourage that individual to apply for Southern's Utility Lineman Scholarship Program. The deadline is fast approaching: April 1, 2010. More>>>
  • Recipe Box
    • Bakes Pork Chops Enjoy!>>>