Fortifying Your Home: Essential Electrical Services from Westphal & Co.
Ensuring the safety and functionality of your home’s electrical system is paramount. At Westphal & Co., we provide a range of critical electrical services designed to enhance your property’s security, efficiency, and adherence to modern safety standards.
1. Modernizing Your Electrical Panel
The electrical service panel serves as the central nervous system of your home’s power distribution. While contemporary residences typically feature 200-amp panels, older homes, particularly those constructed between the 1950s and mid-1960s, may still operate on outdated 60-amp or even 100-amp systems. Upgrading your circuit breaker panel is a prudent investment if you possess one of these older units.
A 200-amp panel doesn’t inherently consume more electricity; instead, it significantly increases your home’s available electrical capacity, enabling the safe integration of additional circuits to power new appliances and technologies. It’s crucial to note that, in Wisconsin, only state-licensed electrical contractors are authorized to perform electrical work, including circuit breaker panel upgrades.
2. Addressing Urgent Electrical Repairs
The U.S. Fire Administration reports approximately 347,000 home fires annually in the U.S., with electrical malfunctions accounting for about 6.8% and appliances/equipment contributing over 5%. A seemingly minor electrical issue can escalate into a devastating fire in mere seconds. Such hazards often originate from faulty electrical wires or outlets, caused by age, overloaded wiring, or even damage from rodents. Older homes with aging electrical infrastructure are particularly susceptible.
Common indicators of potential electrical hazards include:
- Overloaded outlets
- Persistent flickering lights
- Non-functional outlets
- Evidence of rodent damage
If you observe any of these warning signs, it is imperative to promptly seek electrical repairs or comprehensive rewiring. Delaying these critical interventions can drastically increase the risk of a house fire.
3. Electrical Code Compliance Updates
The Wisconsin state electrical code is a legally binding standard applicable to all property owners, including homeowners, throughout the state. Given periodic revisions to these standards, many existing homes pre-dating such updates may no longer be code-compliant. Frequent violations include wire overcrowding, overloaded or undersized circuits, improper use of old wiring for new light fixtures, and mislabeled circuits. Furthermore, many older properties lack essential GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) or AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection, which are now mandatory.
To ascertain your home’s code compliance and identify potential hazards, consider scheduling a comprehensive electrical safety inspection. Our electricians will not only pinpoint violations and dangerous situations but also educate you on the necessary repair or upgrade options available.
4. Enhancing Safety and Security System Installation
Your local licensed electrician from Westphal & Co. can significantly bolster your home’s security infrastructure. We specialize in the installation of exterior security lighting to brightly illuminate your property’s perimeter. Additionally, our expertise extends to installing interior safety lights and advanced home lighting automation systems. Our electricians are also adept at the precise installation of video doorbells, enhancing your property’s surveillance capabilities.
5. Implementing Whole-Home Surge Protection
Power surges, triggered by lightning strikes, grid fluctuations, or even internal factors like the use of high-power equipment (e.g., air conditioners), pose a significant threat to your valuable electronics and appliances. These sudden spikes can cause immediate internal damage, frying circuit boards or destroying sensitive LED lightbulbs. Even minor, frequent surges can lead to the slow deterioration of your expensive devices over time.
A whole-home surge protector provides a crucial defense, safeguarding your assets from these destructive effects. The cost of such a system is typically a fraction of what you might otherwise incur to replace appliances and electronics damaged by power spikes.
Secure Your Home with Professional Electrical Services
These five critical electrical services are fundamental to maintaining a safe and secure home environment. From essential panel upgrades to complex wire repairs, a licensed electrician from Westphal & Co. is equipped to perform all necessary work safely and efficiently.
Ready to enhance the safety and security of your Wisconsin home? Our dedicated team at Westphal & Co. is prepared to assist you. Connect with us today, and we will be delighted to address all your electrical needs.