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Was your home built before the 1940s? Do you have knob and tube wires running through your basement or attic? The electrical systems of older homes were not designed to handle today’s electrical demands.

The kitchen is the area where this is most noticeable, with the introduction of microwaves, coffee machines, toaster ovens, large refrigerators, and other appliances designed to make our lives more convenient. The load requirements for these appliances far exceed the design limitations of many older homes. Today’s electrical code requires smoke detectors in every bedroom; GFCI protection in bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors, and in the garage; arc fault breakers that can detect a spark in a plugged-in appliance or lamp and eliminate any chance of fire or hazard. These are only a few of the hundreds of changes keeping us safer today. Our electricians have extensive experience working on older homes in Lincoln and surrounding neighborhoods.

The National Fire Alarm Code, developed by the NFPA, requires a smoke detector in each sleeping room and on each level of the house.
Because smoke rises, mount detectors high on a wall or on the ceiling. Place them in an area away from air vents. The basement ceiling near the steps to the first level is a good location. But don’t install the detector at the top of the basement stairs where there is a closed door, dead air space near the door may prevent smoke from reaching the detector. There is more to checking a smoke detector than just pushing the test button. Dust and even small insects can sometimes block a photo-eye type or ionization type of smoke detector. They also should be cleaned periodically. Don’t go to long before changing batteries. If they are hard wired make sure they have a battery back up. Smoke detectors should not be taken lightly. They could save your life.

Some Insurance companies are requiring that homeowners replace their fuse boxes with circuit breaker panels in order to comply with the current fire and safety standards. Even the old Federal Pacific Electric FPE Panel/Breaker Hazard Summary breaker panels installed in new homes built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s are documented to be a fire hazard.
Make an appointment today to have your service panel checked by an expert.

Link to learn more about arc fault breakers http://www.afcisafety.org/qa.html