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Electrical Upgrades in Eugene, OR
When you’re making electrical upgrades in Eugene, OR, it’s important to follow safety and building codes. Electrical codes specify the requirements for a compliant home. While electrical code compliance upgrades are essential for your safety, they’re also a consideration for your homeowner’s insurance company. If you’re thinking about selling your home, inspectors, appraisers and prospective buyers will want to know the upgrades you’ve completed. Specifically, it’s important that your electrical system upgrades are compliant with local and national codes and performed by a licensed and experienced electrician. At Excel Electric, our electricians keep up to date with the latest code changes so that we can provide high-quality upgrade services.
call our team now for electrical upgrades in Eugene, OR: (541) 234-8864!
Electrical Code Compliance Issues
Think about all the devices and appliances you have now that you didn’t have or didn’t exist 20 years ago. Most homes today include several smartphones with chargers, multiple tablets or laptops, a flat-screen television or two, a big refrigerator and other gadgets that use a lot of electricity. Homes that were built 20 or more years ago might not be compliant with today’s electrical codes. Modern code requirements reflect all the products that are in a typical home and an average household’s use of heating, cooling, refrigeration and other systems.
Electrical Services
If you’re not selling your home, there’s no requirement to upgrade your wiring or circuit breaker. However, it is a good idea to do these things. You’ll be safer, and you’ll enjoy more peace of mind. Your belongings and home will be protected. One part of electrical code compliance in Eugene, OR relates to national requirements. These pertain to what’s required for household and commercial wiring. The other part of electrical code compliance is local. Each city’s code requirements can be different, and our electricians at Excel Electric know all of the regulations in Eugene, OR.
The general code requirements are national. These include circuit requirements. National codes state that circuits deliver 120 volts and 15 amps. However, kitchen circuits must deliver 20 amps. There are also national rules for wiring; the 15-amp general household circuits require 14-gauge wire, and 20-amp kitchen circuits require 12-gauge wire. The code also states that each fixture, outlet, switch and box must be grounded. Boxes can be plastic or metal under the national code, but local codes can restrict homeowners to metal boxes. In most cases, non-metallic cable is accepted. However, national electric code stipulates the use of armored cable or conduit if the cable will be exposed.
There are additional code requirements to be aware of. For example, a pull-chain isn’t allowed for activating a light in a bedroom closet. Bathroom receptacles must be GFCI outlets. Exterior outlets must have a waterproof cover.
Why It's Important to Stay Current With Electrical Codes
If you’re starting a home remodeling project, you or your contractors might find some shoddy DIY repairs or upgrades that aren’t up to code. Leaving those in place could mean your home won’t pass inspection. Leaving poorly done electrical work in place also puts your home at risk of a fire.
Homes built in the 70s or earlier have old wiring. That old wiring and the breaker box might not be in good condition. If a wire overheats or an overloaded outlet short-circuits, your home could experience an electrical fire. Old wiring is inefficient and unsafe. It can also drive up your homeowner’s insurance rates or make it impossible to get an insurance policy. Excel Electric can handle an electrical inspection in Eugene, OR. Our thorough electricians will check every circuit, wire, fixture, receptacle, outlet and component of the electrical panel. Furthermore, we’ll identify what’s not code-compliant and fix it to bring your home up to current Eugene, OR electrical code regulations.
Reliable Electricians for Compliance and Code Upgrades in Eugene, OR
Whether you’re remodeling, upgrading or selling your home, it’s important to ensure compliance with Eugene, OR and national electrical codes. Our electricians at Excel Electric offer outstanding service on all compliance and code upgrades. For more information or to schedule an inspection, call us today at (541) 234-8864.