How to Get Your Home’s Electrical System Up to Code

The electrician at your local home improvement store has probably warned you that you’re not up to code. He probably also told you that it would cost you a small fortune. If you’re in the market for a new house, you may want to consider the costs of retrofitting your home so that you can live there. But you don’t have to sacrifice safety for comfort. Here are a few tips on how to get your home’s electrical system up to code.

Safety First

Before you even look at the electrical system of your new home, you need to be certain that it meets the safety standards that you have set for your home. For example, you may decide that you want your home to be free from the dangers of electrical shock. It is a good idea to start by contacting the local building department. They may require that the electrical repairs in Birmingham, AL meet their safety codes before they will issue a permit for construction. If the electrical system is too old to meet your requirements, you may need to look for a home that is new and meets the requirements of your building department.

The Electrical System

The electrical system in your home is a vital component that needs to be in good working order. To make sure that your electrical system is up to code, you need to make sure that the following things are installed properly:

  • An electrical panel that has been properly wired
  • A circuit breaker that has been installed to meet local code
  • Electrical service that has been properly installed and is ready to be connected to your home’s electrical system
  • Pole conductors that are in good condition
  • Grounding system that is in good working order
  • Main panel ground wire that is free from damage

In addition, you need to make sure that any of your appliances are connected to a properly wired circuit breaker. The circuit breakers should have the minimum amperage required by the appliances. For example, your refrigerator has an amperage rating of 1,000 amps. If you need to connect the refrigerator to a circuit breaker with a 1,500 amp rating, then you need to make sure that you have a 1,500 amp breaker installed.