Three Signs You Need Aluminum Wiring Repair in Blairstown, NJ

Aluminum house wiring is electrical wiring that is made from aluminum instead of copper. Aluminum wiring in homes was most common in the 1960s and 1970s as it was less expensive than copper. We now know aluminum wiring is more dangerous than copper wiring because it expands and contracts more significantly when heated and cooled. Over time, this expansion and contraction can cause the wires to loosen from the screws that hold them in place, increasing the risk of overheating and electrical fires.

At Seidel Electric, we offer comprehensive electrical safety inspections and can evaluate the age, condition, and safety of your home’s wiring. If your home has aluminum wiring, you should be aware of the early warning signs of wiring problems and call us immediately for aluminum wiring repair in Blairstown, NJ, or the tri-state area. Here are three warning signs that you need aluminum wiring repair.

Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips

If your circuit breaker trips frequently, you could have a wiring problem. When it senses an overload, your circuit breaker will trip or cut off power to all or part of your home. The circuit breaker trips to prevent overheating, electric shock or electrocution, power surges, and electrical fires. If it happens frequently, you should schedule an electrical inspection from our experts. You might also notice that the electrical panel is hot to the touch or has scorch or burn marks.

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights can be a sign of an electrical overload, poor balance between circuits, and loose electrical connections. If you notice that your lights frequently flicker, get dimmer or brighter, or turn off and then turn back on, you might have a problem with your home’s wiring. Another warning sign is if your light bulbs seem to burn out very quickly or you find yourself changing your light bulbs more frequently than you used to. You might also hear a buzzing or crackling sound or see sparks or arcs from your outlets or appliances.

Warm or Discolored Outlets

Warm outlets can indicate that your electrical system is overheating due to damaged wiring. If you see discoloration, brown streaks, or burn marks on your outlets, electrical panel, or the wall around outlets or switches, you should call our team right away. You should also call us if you smell a burning or fish odor. These odors can indicate damaged, deteriorated, or overheating wires or an electrical fire inside your walls.

Why Aluminum Wiring in Homes Can Be Problematic

While aluminum wires conduct electricity efficiently and safely, they can easily become overheated, and frequent expansion and contraction of the wires can lead to loose connections in your outlets and switches. When you connect an aluminum wire to a receptacle designed for copper wiring, the outlet and appliance can overheat. Changes in electrical loads can also increase the risk of an electrical fire, circuit overload, power outage, and electric shock or electrocution. Modern homes use a lot more power than homes did in the 1960s and 1970s when aluminum wiring was most common in homes. That means aluminum wiring might be outdated, inefficient, and even dangerous for your home.

How to Address Aluminum Electrical Wiring Issues

If you aren’t sure what type of wiring your home has or if you have noticed any of the warning signs of wiring problems, you should contact our team right away. We can conduct a professional electrical safety inspection and assess the age, condition, safety, efficiency, and performance of your home’s wiring, electrical panel, circuit breaker, and electrical components. We will look for signs of safety issues and make professional recommendations for repairs and upgrades that will make your home safer. We may recommend rewiring your entire home with copper wiring or fixing connections by patching in copper wiring.

Schedule an Inspection for Aluminum Residential Wiring

Don’t risk an electrical fire, electric shock, or electrocution caused by faulty aluminum wiring in your home. Call or contact us online to schedule an inspection for aluminum residential wiring in Blairstown, NJ, or the tri-state area. Our team of experienced, highly qualified electricians at Seidel Electric are committed to electrical safety and will thoroughly inspect every electrical component in your home. We have been in business since 1944 and specialize in commercial and residential electrical inspections, repairs, installations, maintenance, and upgrades.