rewiring or just ground outlets?
I have a 1910 limestone and would like to have electrical work done. I have spoken to 5 electricians and none have said with assurity that I do or do not need to comepletely re-wire my home. Can someone tell me how to ascertain whether I need to comepletely re-wire the house or just ground all the outlets. Also, Does anyone know of a great electrician?
If you’re in the Houston area, one of the best electricians is Mister Sparky. I have had several electrical problems at my office and they have fixed them every single time. Their prices are very reasonable as well. Check them out at http://www.mistersparky-houston.com/.
First and foremost do not take recommendations of electricians from people on the internet. Talk to neighbors or friends who have used electricians in your area. Visibly check the work of the electrician. Not all electricans are equal. Because of the age of your building should you need work, you do not want a butcher who will hack away at studs and floor joists to bring up wire. You are also looking to see that each outlet is placed at the same height as the others, and the receptacles are placed in neatly, it does make a difference.
But before I got started with an electrician, I would if I were you, is to look at you electrical panel. It will either be glass or paper fuses or electrical breakers. If it is glass or paper fuses, change you Panel box and bring it into the 21st century. Next check to see the amount of amps coming in. If you have at least 100amps coming into your house, you should be fine for most of your needs. That is if you do not have every electrical gadget. You will be fine for central air as long as it is only one compressor and that you are not zoning each floor.
2nd look at any exposed wiring, you will find the wiring in any electrical box ie: switch or outlet box. Or you may see exposed wiring in you subasement if you have one.
If you have bx, you still may have old wiring. See if the wiring inside is a paper insulation or plasstic. If it is plastic chances are your wiring current or least some of it is. The best way is to look at least ceiling light boxes, and some of the outlet and switch outlets to know if your up to date. You also want to see which circuits controll what to the house. That is if you have a fuse or breaker you want to know how many lights or outlets that breaker controlls. Let common sense be your guide. If one breaker is controlling to much of your outlets or switches than it is.
The next thing to look for is the amount of outlets per wall space. You should have at least one outlet per 10ft. min., especially in todays world, it is not uncommon to have outlets every 6ft.
Should you need 20 or 30 amps for large window air conditioner. you should think that part through if you hire an electrician.
A good electrician will be your guide but know your needs as well.
Hi Anon of 10:22-its a catchy name! If you would prefer to email me: szigetre@yahoo.com & thank you for your help!
btw I just learned from speaking to yet another electrician today that if the circuit breaker is made by “Federal Pacific” it has to be removed-it is not safe because it does not trip properly. . .oh the things I am learning. . .
I would also be interested in the electrician information, so please post it. Thank you.
I would also be interested in the electrician information, so please post it. Thank you.
Its funny to be known as anon 10:22 .. ïŠ let me see if I can find their info. They seemed to know their stuff pretty well, and more reasonably priced than some of the other estimates we received. If I remember correctly they checked every outlet in the house; they charged around $150 for this but deducted it from the total balance. I’ll look for one of their invoices tonight to find their contact info. Should I post it here or email you?
Hi Anon of 10:22 -I am the original poster-would love to know who your electrician was if you have the info. The problem is I don’t know the condition of my wiring-nor whether it has ever been re-wired. I would lile to find an electrician who actually investigates to give a proper analysis. . .Of the five I have spoken to and come to the house, none have opened anything up to take a look or used teh gizmo to test the “load”. . .
Thanks for your help.
Hi, I am anon 10:22; I forgot to mention that all of the existing wiring was pretty new. It all had circuit breakers (no fuse boxes). The main problem with our wiring was that there weren’t enough dedicated lines, and we had to add a bunch of new outlets. Also, the house was dark in a lot of areas so we had to add new electric and switches for new light fixtures. Ended up being pretty expensive… not $30K though.
I got much the same advise from my electrician that Anon. 10:22 received. That was in 1974. I too kept the old wiring and installed some new lines, especially for appliances that use alot of current. The only trouble I had was about 15 years ago with an old fuse box on my top floor that I had been told I could leave alone. It cracked and caused intermittant problems that took a good deal of detective work to solve.That box was replaced with a new circuit breaker box and I’ve had no problems since. The only additional work I’ve had done in the last 32 years was to run new circuits for additional AC units. BTW, BX seems to go back much further than 1960. In the course of finding the cause of my intermittant problems, the electrician, Tony Beherens, pulled through som slack in 1930s BX going tosome ceiling boxes and exposed fresh wire (w/o crumbling insulation).That wasn’t the cause of the problem (which turned out to be the cracked fuse box i mentioned earlier)but was a good thing to have done.