Every home needs an electrical system. Heating and cooling, illumination and cooking, as well as countless forms of technology all require electricity. But to ensure the optimum safety in your home that system needs to be well designed.
The best way to summarize safe electrical design is to ensure that it follows code. The national Canadian Electrical Code spells out the limits and specifications that are necessary for your home and gives your electrician a guideline and benchmark for the work performed. But you need to ensure that you hire an electrical contractor that will follow the code and use components that are manufactured with the code as a reference. You'll also need to plan for the future and keep your electrical system neat and tidy for to allow for expansion.
Hiring a Pro
Most homeowners will rely on the services of a professional electrician to design and install the wiring, switches and transformers in our home. In order to make sure your wiring is up to code and safe, it's important to hire an experienced and conscientious electrician.
Be prepared to pay for all of the applicable permits and arrange scheduling for your job around the various inspections needed throughout the process. Beware of contractors that push you to ignore the code. If you're in doubt, look up the guidelines yourself. A copy of the simplified electrical code is available across the country and is good to have for quick reference and as a guideline should you be inclined to DIY.
Safe Components
Not only do you need to be sure that your home wiring is installed according to code, but you should always use CSA approved parts. Wiring, switches, boxes, transformers and panel boards all need to be built based on electrical code specifications. With exception of the screws or nails that hold up the boxes and switch plates, every component of your house electrical system should be approved for safe use in your home.
Using a low quality part could result in a trip within the system, an overload and even a spark. You could cause damage to your home with unapproved components and could also damage the equipment or appliance that is plugged in.
Future Planning
A good electrical design won't just take the current needs into account. The best design will plan for the future, including the ability to expand the system easily. Whether this means empty slots on the panel board or extra boxes in the wall, you need to plan for the future in some fashion.
Even though much of the new technology in our homes is going wireless, you will still need an enormous amount of power available for essentials. Plan for any possible renovations that may happen down the road as well. Even if you “rough in†the wiring, it will make the space more usable before any renovations that place.
Most people are intimidated by the prospect of electrical design. As long as the electrician follows the code, uses CSA approved parts and components and plans for future needs, your home wiring and electrical system will be well-designed and safe. Throw in a reliable product and experienced service and your home will be top notch for safety in every electrical aspect.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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