homeimprovementinfo's Journal: History of In-Home Electricity

There are probably very few people in North America who remember a time when it was not common for most houses to be built with their own electrical system.Most people have never lived in a time or a place where they could not flip a switch to light a whole room or did not have access to a licensed electrician . From the time when electricity was first installed in private homes to today, the technology involved with its use and safety has drastically changed.

History of In-Home Electricity

During the 1800s, in the urban areas of North America, many homeowners began to have electrical systems installed. At that time, companies providing electricity were privately owned, and there were no standardized voltages, equipment, and frequencies. Not only did this create problems with inefficiency, it also presented safety and fire hazards. In addition, it was difficult to find an electrical company that was willing to provide electricity to rural areas. This trend continued until the 1930s, resulting in only about 10% of the people in rural areas having electricity in their homes.

Changing Electrical Technology

Initial wiring techniques in homes were shoddy at best, and extremely dangerous at worst. The power conductors were either bare or covered with cloth and stapled to the frame of the house or its running boards. The earliest standardized wiring techniques in North America involved the use of a series of knobs and tubes placed strategically throughout a home. This technique was certainly safer than the earlier method; however, it still posed a significant fire and safety hazard. Todays wiring methods are considered safer than previous attempts. They usually consist of 2 to 4 wires that are wrapped in a thermoplastic insulation. There is always one wire left bare in order to act as a grounding wire. The long life of these modern materials ensures that most of the electrical components in newer homes can last for decades.

Know When to Ask for Help

Because of the access to a multitude of do-it-yourself websites and do-it-yourself television shows more people than ever before are tackling home-improvement projects and repairs themselves. Simple projects like installing ceiling fans or replacing some light fixtures are great projects for the average do-it-yourselfer. However, when it comes to more extensive electrical work it is always best to hire a licensed, trained, and experienced electrical contractor. Some of the benefits of hiring a licensed electrician are:

1. He or she will be able to spot potential problems and hazards before they manifest.

2. He or she will be up-to-date on the latest government mandated safety codes.

3. He or she will have access to the best equipment and materials, ensuring that everything used will be compatible with the equipment used by the local electric company.

The history of electricity in homes is rich and fascinating. It is amazing to think about how much safer the materials used in wiring a home are and how much knowledge a trained electrician must have. Remember, it is always safer to hire a professional to work on a homes electrical components.