Residential Wiring
Your older Minneapolis home offers a great deal of character and charm that is rarely found in new construction, but along with all that personality comes old and outdated wiring and electrical components. Homes built in the 1950s are likely to have knob and tube wiring, lacking a ground wire. In the 60s, copper was in short supply, so most wiring converted to aluminum, and any of the wires had fabric insulation. These materials met the needs of the day, being around 60 amps in the 50s and 100 by the late 60s; however, that in no way meets the current household demands of 150 to 200 amps or more.
Common Household Items Requiring High Amps
It is easy to assume that if your home’s items are functioning, then you have the necessary power, but if you notice lights dimming when an appliance turns on, your home is warning you that there is a significant issue. Flickering lights, appliances that are slow to turn on, and frequently tripped breakers are all signs that your home is not delivering enough power. Some of the higher amp devices in the average home include:
- HVAC Equipment
- Water Heater
- Washer And Dryer
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Computer
- Television
- Larger Computer Monitor
Home Workshops
Home workshops are another challenge for the typical residential electrical system. Tools like drills, lathes, routers, and sanders all require household service to be at least 100 amps, but 200 amps or more is recommended. When you get into commercial quality tools and equipment for a small or home-based business/shop, it is common to upgrade to 240-volt service in the shop area.
Your Home Office
Working from home offers some tremendous benefits. But it also means that you are likely to have a substantial number of expensive electronics and devices operating. From multiple monitors and computers to printers and security systems, they all require added electricity. And when power issues arise, you lose revenue while you shut down your business until help arrives.
The Safe Solution
When you have issues with power failures, surges, and spikes, the solution is a call to Lumberjack Electric’s pros. Our licensed electricians have decades of hands-on experience evaluating electrical systems in older homes and providing cost-effective upgrade solutions. Overloading circuits, wiring, and outlets increase the potential for an electrical fire or severe damage to your electrical devices and appliances, but all of those concerns can be eliminated with an upgrade from our team.
Other Sound Investments
Living in Minneapolis, the conditions are often harsh, and having no electricity even for a short time can create hardship. While discussing your electrical upgrade options with the Lumberjack team, also consider a battery backup system for your home office equipment or a backup generator to power your entire home. Much like an insurance policy, you might not think these features are worth the investment. But the moment you need them, you will be thankful for every dollar you invested in the system. Call 612-236-9052 to learn more about an electrical upgrade and a battery or generator backup for your home’s electrical system.