10 Wiring Problems Solved

By: Josh Garskof, This Old House magazine (Page 6 of 13)

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #1
Overlamping is when a light fixture has a bulb with a higher wattage than the fixture is designed for

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #2
Uncovered junction boxes increase the risk of wire damage and shock

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #3
Lights flicker when it's windy because frayed wiring causes a short whenever the cables move

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #4
Not enough outlets means you're likely to rely on extension cords and power strips

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #5
GFCIs shut down circuits in 4 milliseconds to prevent fatal shock

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #6
Overwired panels contain more circuits than they are rated to handle

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #7
Popular in the 1960s and '70s, unsafe aluminum wiring is a cheap substitue for copper

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #8
Backstabbed wires are more likely to come loose

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #9
Undergrounded (2-pronged) receptacles means your home has no way to safely conduct stray current

Illustration: Ian Warpole

PROBLEM #10
Plugs fall out of their receptacles when contacts are worn

Illustration: Ian Warpole

Knob and tube wiring may be covered with building insulation, which causes overheating

Illustration: Ian Warpole

Armored cable insulation should be checked every 5 years or so

Illustration: Ian Warpole

Grounded receptacles cannot be retrofitted to two-wire plastic-sheathed cables

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5. NO GFCIs
What it means: Increased risk of electrocution in wet areas, such as baths and kitchens. GFCIs (ground-fault circuit interrupters) shut down circuits in 4 milliseconds, before current can cause a deadly shock.
Code violation? No; grandfathered in. (Codes today require GFCIs within 4 feet of any sink and on all garage, basement, and outdoor outlets.)
Danger level: High.
Solution: Replace old receptacles with GFCIs (about $12 each). This is a simple job that many homeowners do themselves. Electricians charge about $20 per outlet. (There will likely be a minimum job charge.) Note: As an alternative, GFCI breakers ($25) can be installed on the main panel. But then every time one trips, you have to go down to the basement to reset it.