Fixing Faulty Wiring

Have you ever started an electrical project and encountered a faulty wiring job done by a homeowner do-it-yourselfer or a less-than-professional electrician? Unfortunately, it’s a problem that is all too common.

In fact, in a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), home inspectors reported that improper electrical wiring is the second most common problem they find in their inspections. And, according to the National Fire Protection Association, faulty and improperly installed electrical wiring is a leading cause of fires in homes and commercial buildings.  

Who’s At Fault?
Amateur wiring connections, it seems, are everywhere. “We run into that all the time,” says Ray Holder, director of education at Electrical Seminars Inc. of San Marcos, Texas.

“Homeowners do not comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) because they’re not familiar with it. They will improperly wire things and we have to go back and fix it. That’s an everyday occurrence. Most of the time it’s a small, inexpensive fix. But, if the problem is very severe, the cost is greatly increased.”

Homeowners are not the only problem. When a wiring job is left to an unlicensed professional, bad results can happen. “Only licensed professionals should be allowed to offer their services,” Holder says. “Some states do not require electricians to be licensed and the local enforcement agencies are lax or nonexistent. When this condition exists, the public is exposed to unsafe procedures.”

Some Common Problems
The following are some examples of common faulty wiring problems encountered by electrical contractors.

Homeowner errors. When they encounter faulty wiring in electrical panels, many do-it-yourselfers attempt to make their own modifications and create unsafe conditions in the process through splicing errors or using unsafe wiring materials.

Voltage drop. “The average homeowner is not familiar with things like voltage drop,” Holder says. Defined as the amount of voltage loss that occurs through all or part of a circuit due to impedance, this can be caused by using the wrong size wire or insulation. “Typical  results of excessive voltage drop are lighting fixtures dimming when appliances or motors are turned on, overheating in motors and appliances, and a shortened lifespan of appliances, such as computers and TV,” he says. The NEC recommends limiting the voltage drop from the breaker box to the farthest outlet for power, heating, or lighting to 3 percent of the circuit voltage.

Substandard materials. The use of substandard materials can also pose real risks. Homeowners or unlicensed electricians use the wrong materials for an application, Holder says. “For example, nonmetallic sheathed cable, or Romex®, is approved for use in dry locations only. If an individual is not familiar with the procedures and techniques outlined in the NEC, he may install that cable in a conduit or pipe underground, which is a wet location. It’s just not the proper wiring method in that situation.”

Quick-wiring. Many electrical failures can be blamed on the use of inexpensive receptacles and wall switches with a “quick-wire” provision. While quick-wiring saves labor time and money, these devices do not provide a lasting electrical connection.

“When you use quick-wiring methods on receptacles, you can choose push-in terminations or the set crew type,” Holder says. “I recommend using the set crew type. We’ve encountered problems with the push-in type of receptacles. The wire does not make good contact with the termination end.”

Inadequate wiring. Many older homes are not adequately wired to accommodate today’s high-demand electrical loads. When demand from electrical devices is greater than the main panel ability to supply, it may be time to install a new panel.

Symptoms of Poor Wiring
When properly wired, an electrical system should prevent excessive voltage drop, wasted energy, and overheated wires. If a homeowner complains that lights are dimming, motors are slowing when appliances are turned on, or fuses blow and circuit breakers trip frequently, you may have an inadequate wiring situation on your hands.

More often than not, wiring faults are hidden behind walls and panels and are generally difficult to find. “One of the ways that you can tell the wiring is bad is when the insulation is discolored or brittle,” Holder says. “That tells you that you have a problem like an overload.”

A Problem with High Costs
“Defective electrical wiring should be replaced, because it presents a hazard to persons and property,” Holder says. “Annually, millions of dollars are spent and thousands of people are injured or killed due to exposure to faulty electrical wiring. The impact is tremendous.’