It’s no secret that owners of older homes often have trouble finding a company who will insure their asset. By avoiding insuring older homes, insurance companies protect themselves from claims related to damage done by outdated electrical systems. This is not unreasonable, as electrical fires can quickly turn an old home into a major disaster. Residential electricians in Calgary are no strangers to this, and they are a good resource for homeowners who find themselves in this predicament.
While this can be a frustrating experience for homeowners, it is something that electricians see on a regular basis. Any residential electrician in Calgary will be able to help you with upgrading your system. Calgary electricians generally see two types of electrical systems that insurance companies balk at. One is 60-amp electrical service, and the other is knob and tube wiring.
60-amp electrical service is common in homes built prior to 1950. This type of system, according to residential electricians in Calgary, is prone to overheating and can potentially cause electrical fires.
With knob and tube wiring, parallel hot and neutral wires are separated by knobs and ceramic tubes. There are two risks associated with this type of wiring, as How To Become A Licensed Electrician In Texas opposed to modern systems. These are: no ground wire, and susceptibility of the casing to wear, resulting in wire exposure (and potential disastrous results).
The ways that insurance companies deal with these two types of systems is different, and therefore, the service provided by residential electricians in Calgary is not always the same.
When it comes to 60-amp wiring, many companies require the system to be completely replaced by 100 amp service (the current standard), while others may require that a switching device be installed in order to ensure that multiple major appliances are not being used at the same time.
With knob and tube wiring, you will usually need to hire a Calgary electrician to replace the entire system with permanent, new wiring before an insurance company will consider insuring your home.
In some cases, insurers will consider covering homes with older electrical systems provided that a very recent electrical inspection is done by an electrician approved by the Electrician Demographics company, but the experience of residential electricians in Calgary is generally that insurers most often require the system’s replacement before they will offer coverage.
If you have an older home that you are having trouble insuring because of outdated electrical wiring, consider the possibility of contacting a Calgary electrician to do your inspection. Many Calgary electricians will be able to offer you a free, no-obligation assessment of the work that needs to be done, as well as determining whether or not your electrical system is a threat to the safety of your home. And while they can’t deal with the insurance company for you, you will be able to sleep well knowing that your electrical system does not pose a threat to your family’s safety and well-being.
