This is the AA-MSA Inspection blog (www.aa-msa.com). AA-MSA Inspectors write about their actual building inspection and environmental testing experiences. This blog post is the hazards associated with old electrical wiring.
The wiring in most 19th century buildings is a mixed lot. Some of it is cable with a cloth covering that looks like canvas. Some is metal jacketed. Some is single strands that are strong onto glass knobs (http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/knob-and-tube-wiring.shtml and http://ezinearticles.com/?Hazards-of-Knob-and-Tube-Wiring&id=2058371).
Then there is the issue of fuses vs circuit breakers. If your system has been plagued by burned fuses because of overloaded circuits, do not solve the problem by substituting a larger fuse for a smaller one. Doing so is a major cause of household electrical fires. The wire in a 15-amp circuit has more resistance than wire in a 20-amp circuit. When a wire resists current, energy is dissipated in the form of heat, which in turn can cause a fire. Some insurance companies charge a higher premium when a building has fuses instead of circuit breakers. http://www.rusticgirls.com/electrical/household-fuses-3.html and http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/fusebox.php
Like plumbing, the electrical distribution system in an old building can become a hodge-podge of parts and pieces, often as a variety of people, not all of them professionals, make patches and repairs. A plumbing problem can cause quite a mess. An electrical malfunction can kill you or burn your house down. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,562098,00.html and http://www.ul.com/global/eng/documents/corporate/aboutul/publications/newsletters/thecodeauthority/tca_issue_2_2008.pdf
The first rule of thumb with wiring is to err on the side of caution. Be proactive and problems when you find them, even if the minor ones. Above all, make sure to become close friends with a good licensed electrical contractor!
If you are thinking about updating your electric system, call the experts at AA-MSA, Inc., 1-800-888-8107. We'll inspect your electric system for defects and write you a safety "prescription". Visit us on the web at www.aa-msa.com.
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