Upgrading your home's wiring

If you have an older home, its wiring may not be up to the loads demanded by twenty-first century life. Microwave ovens, computers, V-C-R's, larger T-V's, and a host of modern appliances place an ever-greater strain on a home's energy system. Checking to see if your wiring is sufficient for your needs takes a bit of time and some simple math. First, determine which electrical outlets are operated by which circuit breakers or fuses. Much of this information will probably be written on the panel in the circuit box, but you may have to use trial-and-error to check some outlets. Just plug in a desk lamp or other small device, then flip the breaker switch. If the light goes out, that outlet connects to that breaker. Do the same throughout the house until you know exactly what controls what. Next, add up the wattage of all the electrical devices that are connected to a given circuit. The number of watts each device uses is usually listed on a plate on the bottom. Once you have the total watts, the mathematical formula is: amperage equals watts divided by volts. Most household current operates at 120 volts. So calculating how much power is being used by a given circuit involves simple division. A 60-watt bulb, for example, uses half an amp, or 60 divided by 120. Once you determine how many amps are required for a given circuit, compare that number to the amperage listed on the circuit breaker or fuse. If you're near capacity, any new device you add might cause frequent blown fuses or tripped circuits. See an electrical contractor for the best options in upgrading your wiring for future demands.