Should I upgrade outlets in a 1971 house?
#1
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Should I upgrade outlets in a 1971 house?
I'm trying to get some practice doing electrical things around the house. I'm going to try and add a light and switch in the basement near my new workbench, so I've been wondering about doing some other things also for practice.
A few months ago I blew out two outlets and had to have an electrician come in a fix them and when I asked him something about upgrading outlets or wiring or something he said "Well, where do you want me to start?"
Everything seems to work fine and all the outlets are 3 prong, but is there anything I could do to upgrade them? Is it worth the time, etc?
What about putting GFCI's in kitchen?
Thanks
A few months ago I blew out two outlets and had to have an electrician come in a fix them and when I asked him something about upgrading outlets or wiring or something he said "Well, where do you want me to start?"
Everything seems to work fine and all the outlets are 3 prong, but is there anything I could do to upgrade them? Is it worth the time, etc?
What about putting GFCI's in kitchen?
Thanks
#2
If plugs fit tightly they are okay. If plugs fit loosely I'd change them out because it can cause over heating are even burning of the plug. Also be sure all wires are on the screws, no in back, and only one wire per screw.
Definitely. Best you need two dedicated 20 amp receptacle only (no lights) circuits. A dishwasher or garbage disposal should not be on either of the kitchen receptacle circuits.
What about putting GFCI's in kitchen?
#3
Adding gfi protection in the areas where the code requires it in new construction also applies to when changing receptacles out in old construction. It also will enhance safety.
The same applies to AFCI protection. IIRC it may apply to adding tamper resistant devices also.
The same applies to AFCI protection. IIRC it may apply to adding tamper resistant devices also.
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Thats going to be difficult to find out for me at this stage (2 20 amp circuits dedicated, etc). Also, while I'm at it. Should I buy and voltmeter and multimeter?
Is there a way to map out my house circuits other than tracing them physically? Can I purchase a map? lol
Excuse my ignorance, I'm just learning all this stuff from scratch, but it's fun ..... until I get electrocuted! lol
Maybe I should slow down a little ...
Is there a way to map out my house circuits other than tracing them physically? Can I purchase a map? lol
Excuse my ignorance, I'm just learning all this stuff from scratch, but it's fun ..... until I get electrocuted! lol
Maybe I should slow down a little ...
#5
Most houses are not wired with plan drawn by an architect. Mapping out the circuits will take some time, and will go faster with a helper. Breaker finders are available, but still require you to move the transmitter around the house.
#6
Should I buy and voltmeter and multimeter?
Thats going to be difficult to find out for me at this stage (2 20 amp circuits dedicated, etc)
Is there a way to map out my house circuits other than tracing them physically?
#7
You can also plug in a radio turned up. Go to the panel and flip breakers until the radio goes off. Identify circuit. Also look to see what else is now dead. Leave first circuit off and repeat process. Each time you identify a circuit leave it off to avoid duplicating effort.
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Thanks ray, I'll do that as soon as I get some free time. What if the 20 amp circuits DO have lights on them?
We don't have a dishwasher, but a we DO have a PIG, and of course fridge, oven and microwave in Kitchen.
Now I'm also learning about dedicated circuits and I just read that CODE says each kitchen appliance such as FRIDGE, STOVE, etc and the DRYER (that's all I have in that category) should each have their own dedicated circuit. I'm gonna have to test this out, but I thought when I switched the power to install the LED light above the kitchen sink that the FRIDGE went out also. Not positive though, just going on memory. So a dedicated circuit means that one of the switches on the panel should say FRIDGE and THAT'S IT on that one circuit?
We don't have a dishwasher, but a we DO have a PIG, and of course fridge, oven and microwave in Kitchen.
Now I'm also learning about dedicated circuits and I just read that CODE says each kitchen appliance such as FRIDGE, STOVE, etc and the DRYER (that's all I have in that category) should each have their own dedicated circuit. I'm gonna have to test this out, but I thought when I switched the power to install the LED light above the kitchen sink that the FRIDGE went out also. Not positive though, just going on memory. So a dedicated circuit means that one of the switches on the panel should say FRIDGE and THAT'S IT on that one circuit?
#9
Should you do it, yes for safety reasons.
It's amazing how changing these to Decora style modernizes the house.
I would also change all your Heat/AC registers. It's a small change that makes a difference in appearance.
It's amazing how changing these to Decora style modernizes the house.
I would also change all your Heat/AC registers. It's a small change that makes a difference in appearance.
#10
The dryer and stove are dedicated circuits. The refrigerator can share the counter top circuits.
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Thanks guys!
I have baseboard heat that I think has hot water go through them. You can see how knowledgeable I am lol! Do those take electricity? Wow, I really need to get with it!
On second thought I think OIL goes through them. I also DON'T have a separate HOT WATER HEATER, but just a boiler. So I assume that the boiler makes hot water? Actually on 3rd thought! ..... maybe HOT WATER goes into the heater to heat them? Can someone help me out here?
I have baseboard heat that I think has hot water go through them. You can see how knowledgeable I am lol! Do those take electricity? Wow, I really need to get with it!
On second thought I think OIL goes through them. I also DON'T have a separate HOT WATER HEATER, but just a boiler. So I assume that the boiler makes hot water? Actually on 3rd thought! ..... maybe HOT WATER goes into the heater to heat them? Can someone help me out here?
#12
Baseboard heat can v be fed from a hot water bolier or can be electric.
Electric heaters can be straight resistance elements or hydronic which are fluid filled.
Electric heaters can be straight resistance elements or hydronic which are fluid filled.
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"The dryer and stove are dedicated circuits. The refrigerator can share the counter top circuits."
I sure HOPE they are. I have a bad feeling maybe the wiring in this house is all screwed up! Oh GOD that would be a big project for me to rewire the whole house! I remember when I asked the electricians about a few months ago about possible things that could use upgrading with the electrical system and he said "Where do you want me to start?" ......
I sure HOPE they are. I have a bad feeling maybe the wiring in this house is all screwed up! Oh GOD that would be a big project for me to rewire the whole house! I remember when I asked the electricians about a few months ago about possible things that could use upgrading with the electrical system and he said "Where do you want me to start?" ......
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Does the home have aluminum wiring? 1971 was pretty much right in the middle of that era, I believe.
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"Does the home have aluminum wiring? 1971 was pretty much right in the middle of that era, I believe. "
I don't believe so. All the wires I see in the basement say 14/2 and stuff on them and are a white cable.
I don't believe so. All the wires I see in the basement say 14/2 and stuff on them and are a white cable.
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"
and are a white cable.
So was aluminum cables. You have to look at the color of the actual wire. "
From what I remember when I was replacing the kitchen light it was bronze colored, but I'll have to check again to be sure. Can I check near the PANEL somewhere instead of having to open a junction box and take off the wirenut?
and are a white cable.
So was aluminum cables. You have to look at the color of the actual wire. "
From what I remember when I was replacing the kitchen light it was bronze colored, but I'll have to check again to be sure. Can I check near the PANEL somewhere instead of having to open a junction box and take off the wirenut?
#23
Can I check near the PANEL somewhere instead of having to open a junction box and take off the wirenut?
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Here's the pics I took this morning. I've never heard of Cadillac Brand, but remember this is from 1971! I hope it's not aluminum!
How old is this panel? Is it ok? It's an "enclosed panel" I guess it says.
How old is this panel? Is it ok? It's an "enclosed panel" I guess it says.
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Can I replace wire without a permit? Would there be any benefits to replacing this wire?
Tomorrow I'm going to start mapping the circuits to the panel. Is it ok to use black marker very small next to each switch to show what it operates?
Tomorrow I'm going to start mapping the circuits to the panel. Is it ok to use black marker very small next to each switch to show what it operates?
#28
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As for mapping each circuit, as mentioned before, I'd just turn on all lights etc, then turn off one breaker at a time, go inside & see what lights, clocks etc dont work. Check microwaves & anything like window air conditioners not in use at the time. See what all does NOT work while that breaker is off. Use a little meter or a lamp, radio etc to see which outlets dont work, then write down everything that doesnt work.
KEEP IN MIND, that some rooms share circuits. So be sure to check adjoining rooms. Our master bedroom is on one circuit, then half of the walls in the adjoining bedroom all on the same circuit. Then the other 2 walls & light are on the same circuit as the 3rd bedroom.
So, write down everything that is off while the first breaker is off. Once completed, turn breaker number 1 back on.... then turn off breaker number 2, & repeat. Do this for all the breakers.
Once done, you can make a spreadsheet or use a word processor on your computer to make a neat, tidy list of what is on every breaker. Then just tape that inside the breaker panel door.
I just did this when remodeling after a flood in 2016. I replaced all outlets & light switches in a 1970's home for updates. Labeled everything & its all neat now & every light switch & every outlet is neatly labeled.
Hope this helps.... good luck.
KEEP IN MIND, that some rooms share circuits. So be sure to check adjoining rooms. Our master bedroom is on one circuit, then half of the walls in the adjoining bedroom all on the same circuit. Then the other 2 walls & light are on the same circuit as the 3rd bedroom.
So, write down everything that is off while the first breaker is off. Once completed, turn breaker number 1 back on.... then turn off breaker number 2, & repeat. Do this for all the breakers.
Once done, you can make a spreadsheet or use a word processor on your computer to make a neat, tidy list of what is on every breaker. Then just tape that inside the breaker panel door.
I just did this when remodeling after a flood in 2016. I replaced all outlets & light switches in a 1970's home for updates. Labeled everything & its all neat now & every light switch & every outlet is neatly labeled.
Hope this helps.... good luck.
#29
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Another thing I want you to be very careful with is, double light switches. In our dining room which joins our carport, there is a double light switch near the carport door. One switch works the dining room light switch & one works the carport light. What I learned the hard way, was they are on different circuits. I turned on the dining room light & turned off the breaker. The light went out. It never crossed my mind that a double light switch would be on two circuits/breakers. But the dining room light switch was on one circuit & the carport light was wired from another circuit/breaker. Once the breaker for the dining room was off, I went to work removing the switches. I don't think I need to go into a lot of detail about what happened next.
If you have a face plate with two light switches or two outlets behind it.... check it! Test it!... make sure! Do not assume!
If you have a face plate with two light switches or two outlets behind it.... check it! Test it!... make sure! Do not assume!
#30
I use a spreadsheet to make my panel directory. You can get full page stickers and apply the sheet inside the door.