A loose outlet plug, charred switchboards, power surges. From harmless to hazardous, here are a few things you need to check before buying your dream home.
So you want to buy your dream home but are not sure if it is safe for your spouse and kids. Electricity is both a boon and a curse. Worried about house wiring? Here are 5 Things to check about the wiring before buying a home.
1. Check the mainboard wires
The first thing to do is to check your main electrical service. It is usually located real close to the meter. Pull off the cover and shut the main power off. It is very important to make sure all power systems are shut down from the main. Look out for any black marks that may have resulted from short circuit or sparks and also make sure all connections are tight.
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They shouldn’t have any loose ends. This might result in leakage. Next thing is to check the breaker wiring and amperage of the breakers. Breakers protect the wires. Tugging at them and making sure these are nicely secured is good enough for starters. Wires and breakers should be sized properly and there should not be any sparking. The aluminium lugs need to be shiny, this means that there has been no sparking and the lugs are brand new.
2. Insulation Resistance Testing
Another thing to keep in mind is insulation. You can locate faults in your cable insulation by using a digital cable insulation fault tester or an analog device. There are various other methods to check if the insulation is wearing off. First of all, make sure your megger machine is working by testing after clipping the leads together and then apart. The reading should be around zero and an open circuit, respectively.
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This is one of the basic safety testing standards. The ohmic value of insulation is measured under a stable voltage. Standards suggest that the insulation resistance test should be carried up to a maximum voltage of 1500VDC. Insulation resistance testing is not only essential for safety, but it is also used as a tool for quality control measurement.
3.Faulty Receptacles
This is a common problem in many homes. To test and fix faulty receptacles, plug in an outlet tester. The tester has multiple lights that suggest different things. It also has an index printed on the top for reference. Before turning off the circuit breaker, test your voltage detector.
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Once you are sure that the circuit breaker is off, remove the wall plate and take out the receptacle. Use a voltage detector to double-check there are no hot wires in the receptacle. Closely examine the receptacle and make sure all the connections are tightly secured. Also, examine the wago lever nut for any loose connections. Give them a final tug to make sure they are all tight.
4.1. Which wires to choose? Copper vs Aluminium
Copper is hands down a better electrical conductor. However, there are other important factors that should be considered while choosing the correct wires for your home. Although wires with high resistance are often preferred, there are two major factors that need to be considered before making a decision.
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Cable size and insulation material used, also matter a lot. If you are dealing with cables that carry super high voltage and cover a long distance, you might want to consider aluminium wires. They conduct electricity better and are way more economical than copper ones. Aluminium might lag behind in conductivity but weighs almost 30 % of copper wires. They are easier to work with and cover a better surface area. These spread across without hassle.
5.Circuit Overload
Make sure the circuit supports your appliances. Many homes have too many appliances sourcing from one circuit. This causes circuit overload. Circuit breakers going haywire and appliances heating up very fast are some of the telltale signs of a circuit overload.
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So this is what you can do to avoid and solve and overload problem. Note down the date and the time of the overload and which appliances are plugged in at the time. Do this for a couple of times to mark out the appliances that are causing an overload. You can then figure out which appliances go well together and which don’t. Connect the right power cord with the right device and do not leave them plugged in when not in use. Do not daisy chain your power boards and unplug all devices that are not in use at the moment.
Follow these simple steps before buying your dream home and take your time to make sure the electrical set up is safe for your family. It is better not to be a DIY daredevil and call an electrician if need be. The issue with electricity is that it bites!
Also Read: 5 Signs Indicated a Serious Electrical Problem in The House
