One of the major reasons cloth covered wiring isn’t safe is due to the fact the cloth becomes brittle over time and falls off the wiring. This leaves the wiring exposed. If anybody happens to touch the bare wires, they risk being shocked. Bare wires that come into contact with each other can spark, resulting in a devastating house fire.
Another issue with many of the old-fashioned cloth insulated wiring systems is the fact they are not always grounded. Ungrounded systems can be dangerous. Grounding a system allows excess electrical charges to be sent into the ground instead of the wiring in your home. Devices like computers, refrigerators and any other appliances or entertainment systems may have their lives cut short by these electrical charges. A system that is properly grounded can help prevent electrical shock should there be some kind of accident involving an electrical appliance.
Your best bet is to upgrade your home’s electrical wiring if it is currently cloth. A house rewire is your best option to protect your sensitive electronics, protect your family and reduce the risk of a home fire caused by faulty wiring. If you are unsure about the type of wiring your home has and your home was built before 1950, give Applied Electric Inc. a call and schedule a free home safety inspection. We will be glad to help you with cloth insulated electrical wire replacement and cloth covered electrical wire replacement.