Tag Archives: dangerous wiring

Electrical Dangers Behind Your Walls

Our electricians were called by this homeowner to diagnose a circuit for the upstairs bedroom lights that were not functioning correctly. In most homes there are often multiple light switches and outlets on a single circuit, this is typically where we find the issue.

After a multitude of circuit traces, continuity tests, voltage tests, and repairs made along the way to correct other issues, a junction box was found hidden behind the drywall. (Photo 2) This junction box was not Code compliant, as all junction boxes must remain accessible.

This junction box contains multiple circuits. It also contains burnt-up connections, identified as the primary cause of the lights malfunctioning. When you look closely at photo 3 you can see that the protective coating on the wiring has melted. You can also see the jumbled mess of the wires shoved into the wall.

In photo 4, our electricians re-terminated the designated circuit and placed a cover over the junction box. The client can rest easy knowing that they no longer have this electrical concern in their upstairs bedrooms.

This situation is a perfect example of why it’s important to hire only licensed and certified electricians who undergo regularly updates on the electrical Code. This sketchy junction box situation could have easily started a fire in this home.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Electrical dangers in Infested Walls & Insulation

While in the process of rewiring a house that was over 100 years old, our electricians came across this home/nest within our client’s home. These critters had infested the walls and insulation making this a dangerous electrical situation.

Rats, mice, squirrels, termites, ants, and cockroaches find the insulation material on some electrical wiring very tasty. In fact, these creatures can and will even strip the wiring right down to the bare conductor. This leaves exposed energized wiring inside attics and walls, thereby greatly increasing the risk of a house fire.

In this particular situation it is counterproductive to fix the electrical if the rodents can come back at a later time. Once you’ve found the critters, hire an exterminator to remove them from your walls, and then close up any holes or animal made entrances so that there is no future damage. Your safety and peace of mind is our primary concern when it comes to wiring and maintaining the electrical in your home.

These burnt dryer outlet photos are a perfect example of why it’s important to have a regular safety inspection of your home. You never know what unknown secrets may hide in your home’s walls.

Electrical Permits are Important

Electrical permits are important to everyone and not just your insurance company. A recent conversation with a local electrical inspector has reaffirmed what our electricians have been explaining to homeowners for years. If regulated electrical work is completed without an electrical permit in place, your homeowner’s insurance policy will be compromised. An insurance claim will likely be denied in the event of a disaster. The inspector stated that this has been a hard lesson for some homeowners in recent incidents in the Lower Mainland.

I know Electrical Permits are Important, but can’t this just be my little secret?

Nope. Electrical permits are important, to the extent that they fall under the public Freedom of Information Act. So your secret is out there for the world to see. This means that anyone, from insurance providers, realtors and potential home buyers to your next door neighbor, can search your property’s electrical permit history by just contacting the regulating authority in your area and providing your street address.

Depending on the age of your home, the first electrical permit may be from when the home was built and subsequent permits will follow in chronological order. Permits will state the scope of electrical work covered by the permit, in addition to the name and qualifications of the person responsible for the electrical work.

The absence of an electrical permit for regulated electrical changes also speaks volumes. It sends a very clear message to an investigator implying that electrical work was likely done by an unlicensed, amateur installer and therefore safety and quality of workmanship are suspect. This gives insurance companies all the reason they need to refuse claim coverage.

Potential home buyers will usually shy away from a home that holds electrical secrets. In addition to your asking price, buyers will imagine a long list of possible expensive repairs to deal with, not to mention the fear of moving into a house with obvious unauthorized electrical changes.

Homeowners need to understand that electrical permits are important and the risks in avoiding the electrical permit to save a few dollars is just not worth it.

Dangerous Wiring Hidden Behind Walls

Dangerous wiring, hidden behind the walls, is a common find for a service electrician and can result in anything from a circuit power failure to a residential house fire. This problem is a ticking time bomb as the danger can sometimes lay hidden for years before a failure occurs.

A fire requires three things to burn: an ignition source or spark, a fuel source and oxygen.

This was clearly emphasized at a local Fire Department’s training session that our crews attended many years ago. So our electricians explain this to homeowners whenever they come across open splices buried inside walls like this one found today. Everything about this unpleasant find is WRONG and DANGEROUS!

When wiring is properly terminated inside a correctly rated and installed electrical box, it is isolated from nearby combustible materials (wooden studs, beams, etc.) and although an electrical box is not airtight, the amount of oxygen inside the enclosure is quickly depleted should any arcing occur. The spark is also contained and can not reach a fuel source, so it is quickly starved of both fuel and oxygen, and the potential fire dies out.

We’d like to say that this type of find is unusual, but it’s not. Our electricians come across this problem much too often, and in homes of almost any age. If you suspect there may be unauthorized, amateur wiring somewhere in your home, please call us and we can investigate and correct the issue before it becomes a serious problem. We can not emphasize enough the importance of hiring a licensed electrician to complete all regulated electrical work.

Tamper Resistant Receptacles

During a six year period between 2003 – 2009, more than 360 Canadian children, under the age of six, were injured in accidents involving electrical wall receptacles. The extent of the injuries range from first to third degree burns. But tragically, these electrical injuries also account for an average of four deaths by electrocution each year. Over seventy percent of these incidents occurred in homes where adult supervision was present at the time of the incident. These unfortunate statistics have initiated one of the important changes to the 21st edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, revised for 2009.

Better Safety at Last!

The introduction of a tamper resistant receptacle to the general public in a residential environment is a much needed safety measure. Tamper Resistant receptacles are now available on the market and can easily be identified by the TR marking or the words Tamper Resistant. These receptacles are now mandatory in all new residential dwellings except in areas not accessible to small children such as attics and crawl spaces. Tamper Resistant receptacles are preferred over products with caps or sliding covers as caps may be lost, and could also become a choking hazard for certain age groups. Children can learn to master sliding receptacle covers when they watch adults use them. TR receptacles provide security against the insertion of objects other than cord plugs into the energized parts.

The reality is that accidents happen very quickly, even under the most watchful eye. The installation of Tamper Resistant receptacles will reduce the incident of electrical shock and injury in your home.

How is this product different?

The TR receptacle will work just like any other electrical outlet except it has a built-in, spring loaded shutter system behind the face plate that closes off the contact openings or slots of the receptacle. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle, both springs are compressed and then open, allowing the metal prongs of the plug to make contact and create an electrical circuit. Because both springs must be compressed at exactly the same time, the shutters will not open when a child attempts to insert an object into only one receptacle opening. Consequently there is no contact with electricity and an injury or tragedy is avoided.

Life just got a little easier for Parents and Caregivers

Although TR receptacles are not required for existing homes, parents have been waiting for this technology. In order to provide a safer environment for their children, many homeowners are choosing to replace their existing receptacles with the Tamper Resistant version. The convenience and peace of mind knowing that automatic protection is always in place, whenever a plug is removed, is comforting for anyone who has been entrusted with the care and supervision of a busy toddler.

The installation of Tamper Resistant receptacles are an important step in making your home a safer place for all children. A licensed, certified Blue Crest electrician will be able to assist with this task. Please call us at any of the phone numbers listed on our contact page.

Note: The TR receptacle examples shown here are Pass & Seymour products.

Electrical Service Panel Safety

We depend on electricity everyday but we often forget that electrical service panel safety is important. Blue Crest Electric understands that everything seems to be electronic and when the electricity to our home is interrupted for some reason, our lives come to a halt and we are quite inconvenienced. Almost every home has five or more large appliances, and most people have at least one computer, a microwave, a stereo system, one or more televisions, cell phones, clock radios, and the list goes on. Some of us consider many of these things as basic necessities of life, and all require electricity to function.

A 2003 survey by the Canadian Department of Natural Resources found that 63% of homes were constructed before 1980. Many of these older homes are still using the originally installed electrical equipment. Some have only a 60-amp electrical service providing power to the home. These electrical systems were installed at a time when the average load on the system was much less than what it is today and perhaps even decades before many of our modern electronic conveniences were even invented. These facts point to a problem. Older homes are at risk, unless the electrical system has been consistently and carefully maintained or completely upgraded. Aging or neglected electrical systems may not be able to safely handle the demands placed upon them by today’s homeowner.

When is an electrical service panel replacement necessary?

Older homes, with aging or outdated electrical service panels, cannot handle today’s electrical demands. In the past, a 60-amp service was considered to be more than sufficient to meet the needs of any household, but current power demands requires a minimum 100-amp service with many homes needing 200-amp service panels. Modern electrical panels that lack regular periodic maintenance, or are exposed to undesirable conditions, may also create safety concerns.

Serious consideration to full electric panel replacement is recommended if you have any of the following:

The fuse box is the precursor to the modern electrical panel box. This relic can be easily recognized by its’ distinctive round glass fuses. If a current over load or short circuit occurs, the fuse will “pop” and need to be replaced. Problems occur when the blown fuse is replaced with an incorrectly sized fuse, as over-heating creates the risk of fire. If a replacement fuse is not readily available, some homeowners have discovered that an inserted penny may also restore the power. Unfortunately this creative little trick also comes with significant risk as it leaves the circuit completely unprotected. There is nothing to trip the circuit and stop the flow of electricity in the event of a surge or short circuit.

The split-bus panel presents unique challenges as well. Instead of the main breaker found on current updated panels, these panels have a smaller breaker feeding the bottom half of the panel. These smaller breakers have been known to melt or burn due to the excessive demand placed on them. Given today’s energy needs, split-buss panels probably would not be considered a safe option any more.

A damaged panel is not a safe panel. If the panel has missing parts, if the wires and/or devices show signs of deterioration or if there is obvious corrosion (rusting) due to environmental conditions, panel replacement may be the best option.

You might also consider a panel upgrade or replacement when:

Major renovations or a home addition are planned.
Appliances don’t seem to be running on full power.
Outlets are only the two pronged (non-grounded) type.
Multiple extension cords are being used throughout the home,
More circuits are needed.
Breakers seem to trip easily and often.
A sub panel is needed.
A 240v circuit is require.
A ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlet is required.
You want to increase the resale value of your home.

The circuit breaker panel is one of the most important parts of your home’s electrical system. Its’ function can be compared to a human heart. A healthy panel works quietly and efficiently, as it regulates and distributes the flow of electricity to all the branch circuits in the home, much like the heart pumps blood throughout the body’s circulatory system. A defective, damaged or aging panel can cause serious damage and possibly tragedy. With regular maintenance by a licensed electrician, experts say that today’s electrical panels can function safely for 30+ years. We recommend that every panel be inspected, calibrated and rejuvenated approximately every three years.

Serious panel problems that require immediate attention include:

Panel surface is warm to the touch.
An unusual odour around the panel.
A crackling or buzzing sound.
Visible arcing or sparks.
Visible charring or melting.

If you detect any of these symptoms, immediately turn off the flow of electricity to the affected breaker, or turn off the entire panel by switching the main breaker OFF.

Then call us at any of the numbers listed on our contact page as this repair should only be handled by a trained professional electrician.

Do you own a federal pacific panel?

Federal Pacific Electric Company (FPE) was one of the most common manufacturers of circuit breaker panels in North America from the 1950s to the 1980s. Millions of their panels were installed in homes across the continent. Yet, as the years passed, electricians and home inspectors often found Federal Pacific Electric panels failed to provide proper protection to homeowners and their families. Experts now say that FPE panels can appear to work fine for years, but after one overload current or short circuit, they can overheat and become fire hazards.

When a breaker fails to trip, an extreme amount of electricity, from the outside electrical supply, surges into a home’s panel and circuits. Once that happens, it cannot be stopped or shut off manually. Electricity will burn until it runs out of fuel or the wires melt. The panel could overheat and catch fire, causing serious harm to a home and its occupants. Many Federal Pacific Electric panels and breakers can operate properly for years. But if and when they do malfunction, a disaster could occur. For more information on this specific panel problem, go to www.ismypanelsafe.com.

These photos were taken of an FPE panel after it caught fire. Note the manufacturer’s nameplate on the second photo. Photos provided by R. Franco, PhD., PE., Electrical Engineer www.Electrical-Forensics.com.

What to do if you have a Federal Pacific Electric panel

If you suspect that you may have a Federal Pacific Electric panel supplying power to your home, we strongly recommend a panel change. Please do not assume that because the panel has worked without incident up to this point that you may have gotten “a good one”. There is just too much evidence against FPE panels to take that risk.

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to have your FPE service panel replaced, please Contact us here or call us at any of the numbers listed on our contact page. All work quoted in advance.

Is Knob & Tube Electrical Wiring Safe?

Knob and tube electrical wiring, also called open wiring, was a common wiring method used in the 1900’s to the late 1940’s. It is estimated that there were approximately 200,000 homes, with knob and tube wiring, built in BC during this time, with a large number located in Abbotsford, Langley, and the Lower Mainland. Contact one of our residential electricians to find out how we can help you update old knob and tube wiring.

Knob and tube wiring is a single conductor, ungrounded system, where electricity is brought from a 60 amp service to different areas of the home by running copper wires, covered with a cloth and rubber insulation sheathing, through the walls, attic and floor spaces. As seen in the photo, porcelain knobs are used to secure the wires in place and keep them from contacting combustible surfaces. Where ever the wire needs to cross through a stud or joist, holes are drilled and fitted with porcelain tubes through which the wire has been threaded, thus the name, knob and tube wiring. The alternate name of open wiring suggests the importance that an open airspace be maintained around the wire at all times to prevent overheating.

IS KNOB AND TUBE ELECTRICAL WIRING SAFE?

If the knob and tube wiring system remains unaltered, has been carefully maintained, and all repairs have been made by a knowledgeable electrician, knob and tube wiring would still be safe to use today. Unfortunately this is almost never the case. As the system ages and deteriorates, porcelain knobs and tubes may crack or break, old wires sag and fray, and the sheathing turns brittle and falls off, exposing the live wires. Homeowners improvise their own repairs as replacement parts may not be readily available which results in some very dangerous modifications.

Homeowners unknowingly create a dangerous situation when household insulation is installed over the tube wiring. The cloth/rubber sheathing around the wires is not approved for contact with insulation as it requires an unrestricted airspace around it to dissipate any build up of heat. Add to this picture the unsafe practice of modifications made to modern appliance cords in order to make them compatible with the old and outdated 2 prong receptacles, extensive use of extension cords and power bars in order to glean more power than the aging electrical system was intended to provide, and you have the potential for a serious problem.

A combination of knob and tube electrical wiring and modern electrical wiring is what is usually found in these older homes today. If this work has been done by someone unfamiliar with the unique requirements of knob and tube wiring, the potential for disaster is certainly present. The tinder dry beams in this attic would have been instant fuel for a spark from this dangerous wiring combination of old and new. But in many cases the “updating” is not visible in the attic or basement. Rather, it is hidden behind the walls as it was probably done during a previous renovation or addition to the house.

Aside from deterioration as a result of age, the majority of problems with knob and tube wiring are caused by tampering and when alterations are made to the original system by amateur handymen. So, to answer the question is knob and tube electrical wiring safe, the answer is NO. This method has long out lived it’s time and should be replaced with current products and modern procedures.

DOES KNOB AND TUBE ELECTRICAL WIRING AFFECT HOME INSURANCE RATES?

Insurance companies are wary of homes with knob and tube wiring and view this wiring method to be a definite safety hazard, and therefore a claim waiting to happen. Some of our clients have reported paying extremely high insurance rates as a result of the knob and tube wiring. At the very least, an inspection by a certified electrical contractor is requested which, given the information shared above, usually requires that the knob and tube be completely replaced before a homeowner’s policy is issued or renewed. This leaves the homeowner with little choice but to address the problem.

WHAT IS THE BEST KNOB AND TUBE ELECTRICAL WIRING SOLUTION?

Realistically, complete replacement of the old wiring is the best option. The presence of knob and tube electrical wiring means the house was probably built 60 to 100+ years ago when this was the only wiring method available. Demands on the home’s electrical system were minimal back then, as lighting was often spartan at best, and homeowners owned only a few small electrical appliances. Fast forward to today and compare this to your daily electrical needs and you soon realize just how out dated the knob and tube system is.

Removing the old knob and tube electrical wiring and replacing the entire system with new copper wiring to meet today’s electrical safety code standards is without question the best solution. Replacing the old ungrounded switches and receptacles with CSA approved devices is another important safety measure. If it has not already been done, installing a new electrical service panel at this time, that provides for the needs of today’s average household usage and also allows for any possible future needs or plans, addresses the problem of blown fuses, over loaded circuits and other safety concerns.

HOW MUCH DOES KNOB AND TUBE ELECTRICAL REWIRING COST?

So you’ve found a beautiful heritage home for sale in the real estate market that is just perfect for you. You love the home’s history, character and location. There’s only one problem. A home inspection has revealed the presence of knob and tube wiring which is still being used to bring electricity to part of the home. You know that some modifications have been made to the original system but there is no documentation to verify who did the work. What are your options?

A site visit by one of our licensed electricians will provide you with exactly the information you need. As each home is unique, it is important for us to do a careful assessment as to the exact plan of action that is best suited for your specific situation. In most cases, this job may take a week or more depending on the size of the home and complexity of the task, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $25,000+. Keep in mind that the resale value of your home will increase after this work is completed, so not only is your home safer for you and your family, your home is also now more desirable to potential future buyers.

DO I HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF MY HOME?

In most cases knob and tube wiring work can be done without the need to relocate the homeowner, although the fewer obstacles (furniture) in the technician’s way, the more efficiently the work progresses. Homeowners need to be aware that it may be necessary to create some openings through which to access or pull circuits. Our approach is always to cause as little damage as possible. As a result, the amount of follow up repairs is kept to an absolute minimum.

The beauty and charm of your heritage home remains intact but the safety concerns regarding the electrical system have been eliminated.

Call Blue Crest Electric Ltd. today for fast and friendly knob and tube wiring service or professional electrical service. With the right team working for you, the job will be done right and in no time.

Client Testimonial

“I recently had my old knob and tube electrical system updated to modern wiring by Blue Crest. It was great knowing how much it was going to cost me in advance instead of wondering how much more it would be every time they discovered some strange new wiring configuration. The electricians were always professional and friendly and did their best to make everything exactly how I wanted it. Even though they re-did the wiring in almost all of my house (some had already been upgraded), they only cut about 6 small holes in the ceiling–everything else was done by “fishing” through the walls of existing openings. They cleaned up after every day of work and had as much electricity on again in the evenings as I needed. The office staff was great. Overall, I found the experience entirely positive.” – C. Marlor, Mission

“My home had knob & tube wiring and Blue Crest rewired my home. I was presented with a price and a plan which Blue Crest delivered on without exception. These people were polite, careful and punctual. Blue Crest went above and beyond in their service, finding solutions to issues that could not be foreseen. I won’t hesitate to use Blue Crest again or to recommend them to others.” – Jack D. – Abbotsford

Thanks for your review Jack. Homes with Knob & Tube wiring will also have delicate lath & plaster wall construction. Rewiring these heritage homes requires an electrician with specialized skills and exceptional creativity to keep the amount of wall damage to a minimum. Our team is especially proud of this particular home rewiring project, because it was completed without a single hole made in the walls. This saved the home owner considerable costs in wall repairs and resulted in a faster renovation completion date, not to mention less mess and inconvenience.

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