Electrical Systems Tips for Home Renovation

Are you looking for tips for your electrical systems during a home renovation? You’ll want to make sure that your home’s electrical system is not up to code, so it will pass inspections. It’s also just as important that it meets your needs.

Here are some basic things you need to know about your home’s electrical systems:

• Consists of the actual electricity supplied within and around your home
• Service includes lighting outlets, electric sockets and hardwired appliances
• Must be able to accommodate the home occupants’ lifestyles
• Is generally between 100-200 amps, or 400 amps for huge homes
• Electricians install the systems service, and often cable TV and telephone wires

Installing Electrical Systems According to Code

Your home’s electrical system must be installed according to building code. This is done in order to protect your property, as well as keep you and your family safe. Here are some of the required safety measures:

• Circuit Breakers – Cut off the supply of electricity to specific areas of the home if there’s a short in a wire. Helps to prevent fires.
• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) – Shut down power to the circuits in high-moisture areas like pool areas, bathrooms, garages and kitchens. Helps to prevent electrical shocks.
• Smoke alarms – Hardwired to home’s electrical system, which interconnects them to each other. In most cases, also have backup batteries in case of power outages. Alerts occupants of smoke and fire.

Installing Electrical Systems According to Lifestyles

The good thing about a home renovation, is that you get the chance to customize your electrical systems to meet you and your family’s lifestyle needs. Here are four tips for doing just that:

1. Plan according to usage – Take time out to determine how each room of the home will be used. Where will you be setting up audio systems, TVs, computers and other electronic equipment? Are there light switches that should be installed for special needs? For example, if someone in the home is in a wheelchair, you may want to install switches at lower heights.
2. Talk to your renovator – This should be done during the redesigning phase. Take a walk-through of the home with your renovator. Show him/her where you want to place cable and telephone lines, as well as electrical outlets.
3. Decide on basement and garage lighting – For brighter lighting, use standard fixtures. If you want more efficient, visually appealing lighting, go fluorescent.
4. Label the panel clearly – This is very important during electrical maintenance of any kind. Don’t let the electrician label the electrical panel without your input. Instead, you tell the renovator what you want each of the bedrooms to be called. Bed 1, Bed 2, etc… is not very efficient during an electrical emergency.

An electrical inspector will need to come in and check the systems installation when you first begin wiring it. It will need to be inspected once again after the home renovations are complete. This will ensure that all codes have been met for the safety of you and your family.