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The electrical wiring in your home can be the cause of different hazards, such as a risk of fire or electrical shock and personal injury. Updating your household electrical wiring is something that needs to be done to reduce these hazards. Installing more service and updating outlets with modern ground fault protection are a couple of things that need to be done to make your home safer. Here are some electrical improvements that will make your home safe and reduce electrical hazards.

1. Upgrading Meters And Breaker Boxes To Expand Electrical Service

An older, undersized electrical system is a risk for fire and other electrical hazards. If your home does not have enough outlets and the breaker box does not have any available circuits to add to, it is time to consider upgrading your electrical system. Have a digital meter and a new breaker box installed to expand your electrical system. Make sure that the new breaker box also has plenty of space to add breakers and new circuits for any future electrical improvements that you may need to have done.

2. Inspecting Wiring For Shorts And Improper Insulation In Old Electrical Systems

In older electrical installations, wires can wear or be damaged, which leads to shorts. A faulty electrical wire is a major fire hazard and needs to be replaced. In addition, you want to ensure the right gauge and type of wire is used throughout your home. For example, outdoors and in bathrooms, you will want to use electrical wiring with a water-resistant insulation.

3. Adding Ground Fault And GCFI Outlets To Protect Against Electrical Shock

A ground fault is an electrical design that grounds outlets to trip breakers or fuses when a circuit is overloaded, and there is a power surge. These systems protect against fire hazards from overloaded electrical outlets and reduce the risk of electric shock. All the outlets in your home should be grounded, and outlets in areas with moisture should use a GCFI outlet. The GCFI outlets have a built-in fault to prevent electrical shock when a circuit meets water or moisture.

4. Propper Wiring Of 220-Volt Appliances And Using Power Cord Extensions  

Some household appliances require a 220-volt electrical circuit, which includes electric dryers, ovens, and other large appliances. These appliances should be installed on their own circuit to ensure they work correctly and your homes electrical system is not overloaded.  In addition, there may be appliances or devices that you need to use extension cords with. Instead of using a conventional extension cord, use a power cord extension, which is designed for appliances that their electrical needs. Power cord extensions will minimize hazards where you need to have longer cords to reach electrical outlets.

These are some tips to help make your home safer with electrical upgrades. Contact a company like Americord Power cords to get power cord extensions for appliances when you need them to have a longer cord.