Commonly Encountered Electrical Installation Problems
With every big remodeling project, there is always the potential for costly and stressful mistakes, especially if you have entrusted your electrical work to someone who didn’t have the experience or the knowledge to make sure the task was done correctly. Electrical mistakes during remodeling projects or during installation services can be extremely dangerous, posing a significant fire hazard to your home and threatening to cost you a lot of time and hassle to sort out. Our licensed and knowledgeable electricians at Cheetah Electric have been in the business since 1978, and in that time we have had to clean up the work of many sub-par electricians. Electrical issues that come up during installation are some of the simplest to repair, but can also be the most dangerous if they are overlooked. Here is a short list of some of the most common electrical installation issues we encounter when having to go back and fix someone else’s work.
Insecure Wiring
The staples that hold your wiring in place need to be driven in to a fairly precise degree. If they aren’t driven in far enough, your wires will be loose and could come loose, and if they are driven in too tight around the wire, it can actually cause the wire to become damaged. If your wiring is stapled too tightly against the beam or stud, the wire itself can start to break down, causing lighting and appliances powered through it to have issues and can even lead to electrical fires.
Wrong Wiring Sizes
If the person you have entrusted your electrical wiring to uses the wrong type or size of wire for your home, you could have a serious problem on your hands. The wrong size or type of wire can quickly cause it to overheat and possibly start a fire as the wiring could be forced to carry more electrical current than it was built to withstand. In most cases, the thicker the wire, the more current it can safely carry, so it is extremely important to have the right size wiring for your home.
Improper Wire Length
In order to create an effective wiring connection, sections of your electrical wiring need to be stripped down to their metallic core. The length of wire that can legally be stripped like this is subject to code regulation, and if you have entrusted your electrical wiring to someone without this knowledge, you could be looking at some serious and costly issues in the future when it has to be redone. In addition, if the person performing your work improperly strips your wiring, you could have nicks on the metal that can interrupt connections and cause short circuits.
Unprotected Wiring
Wiring can get damaged if it is left uncovered or exposed to harsh weather or tampering. A very common issue our Moscow Electrician runs into with homeowners is that whoever did their electrical work in the past didn’t install a covered power box to protect their outdoor wiring.
Connections
Making sure your wiring connections are tight and secure is an important part of any electrical installation. Loose connections can cause arcing and overheating, which can easily lead to house fires and personal injury. An experienced electrician will be able to find the right connectors for your wires and make sure everything is lined up properly to ensure a tight connection.
