Wiring concerns

1/19/2018 at 1:04:52 PM

This is very unsafe. Each apartment should have its own panel/breaker. I would be telling the landlord to fix this. If he doesn't comply, call the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) about it. They will make him fix it!

1/19/2018 at 5:16:21 PM

Hi Ben,

So depending on the style apartment you live in, new, old, renovated, legal or just a 2 level home turned into a few apartments, there can be various answers. Honestly, it would be hugely hazardous if the breakers were not tripping because when they trip, they work properly when overloaded.

Homes converted into apartments may have mingled circuits sharing top and bottom floors and this is generally what happens when they are not done properly, but investors want cheap so they don't separate the circuits properly.

There is nothing saying they don't have overloaded circuits, but 90% of the renovations or flipped homes for rental or investment properties are always done bare minimum.

What I would be most concerned about is working smoke alarms that are interconnected with all bedrooms and levels of the home (INTERCONNECTED MEANS WIRED TOGETHER AND DONE SAFELY). If there are none, than I would call the landlord and get them wired in ASAP, or call the rental agency for the province and demand them to be installed. Can you post a picture of the electrical panel area?? I am curious about the loading and wires going into the panel.

1/19/2018 at 7:27:18 PM

If the breakers are tripping, then they are doing their job; albeit a very annoying situation.

Essentially the electrical code requires that each tenant have access to the electrical panel; that does not necessarily mean that they get their own panel. Additionally, there is only a requirement to separate circuits if you have your own meter and are paying for your own electricity. If the landlord is paying for all the electricity then there is no requirement.

It does sound like you have some issues with overloaded circuits, some in some respect you should be happy that the breakers are tripping and keeping you safe. Robert's comment regarding the smoke alarms and detectors is also very important.

Cheers

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc

1/19/2018 at 9:30:48 PM

Hi Ben, I highly recommend you call a local licenced electrician to come over and inspect your electrical work. Improper Electrical can cause many hazards and needs to be addressed with a licensed electrician. Best of luck. Jeff