Monday, March 10, 2008

Are You Up-to-Date with the Latest Electrical Code Revision?

Now that you’ve got a hint of the hell-and-brimstone that awaits you if you ignore electrical safety and code requirements, you can take a fresh look at your own system. As we’ve already mentioned, a new system can almost be ignored until you’re ready to add to it. A system meeting the 1996 or 1999 NEC will be grounded, will have plenty of receptacles including GFCIs, and will have power properly distributed among a series of circuits throughout your house.

What if you have an older system or one that’s been altered? Your home might have had an addition or two put on by past owners. How can you be sure these were done according to past building codes? Let’s start with some basics as you review your electrical system.
There are some basic differences between older and newer electrical systems, such as …
➤ The presence or absence of a grounding conductor.
➤ Fuses versus circuit breakers.
➤ Nonpolarized outlets versus polarized outlets.

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