Testing your electrical system

All repairs and alterations to electrical systems, outlets and switches should be carried out before any walls are closed. Be careful when working with electricity as it is very dangerous.

Any replaced electrical cables, systems and outlets must be carried out in compliance with the provincial building codes and any rewiring, repairs or alterations to electrical systems must be carried out by a qualified electrical contractor with a provincial license.

Keep in mind, renovations – especially the do-it-yourself kind – are a leading cause of electrical fires and are not covered by insurers.

Anytime you work on an outlet, switch or electrical ceiling fixture, switch off the power supply and use a voltage wand to make sure there is no live current before you touch any wires.

The electrical power in your home is distributed via the breaker box, which houses circuit breakers and cables. There are two common types of trip breakers. Single pole breakers are used for 120V circuits, while double pole breakers are used for 240V circuits, which supply electricity to heating systems and water heaters.

Electrical control boxes often contain outdated labels. Take the time to update each circuit in the circuit breaker panel so you know which one is at fault when a switch is tripped. Proper labelling will also come in handy when it comes time to renovate or add new appliances to your home, and during power outages.

Electrical wires are standardized by colour. 120V circuits use white cables while 240V circuits use red wires. Older wires may be not be coloured accordingly. If your wires look worn or frayed, have them inspected. Check the condition of the cable covers, which will usually show wear or tear.

If you are installing ceiling fixtures, plugs or switches, check your installation twice and don’t ignore the ground wires.

Washers, dryers and kitchen ranges must be hooked up to special outlets. GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets, which shut off electricity within 1/40 of a second if sufficient current leakage is detected, are used for outdoor wiring and in garages and bathrooms.

Make sure all outlets are properly mounted to the walls, and consider installing plastic outlet covers or child-proof receptacles if you have children.

You should also check your home’s ventilation systems, including the range hood filter in the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, to make sure they are working properly.