Electrical Safety

Why Do Electrical Fires Occur?

  • More often than not, it's because of poor connections on electrical devices due to careless, inexperienced, or unlicensed installers. 
  • Nails from straps or straps that are nailed too tight against wood framing when the home was originally wired or updated.
  • Pesty rodents chewing on wires behind the walls. 
  • Nails driven into walls or floors can puncture wires. 
  • Pets chewing through cords.

How Can Arc-Fault Breakers Help You?

  • Arc - Fault Breakers send test signals throughout your existing wiring in your home looking for the start of an electrical fire.
  • They shut down the entire circuit BEFORE an electrical fire starts!
  • It will prevent 98% of electrical fires on protected circuits.
  • Studies have shown that more than 50% of electrical fires today can be avoided by arc-fault breakers.
  • Arc Fault breakers have been required in all new homes since the 1999 National Electrical Code was implemented.

Knob & Tube

Knob and Tube wiring is an old wiring method that consists of hot and neutral wires separated from each other. The knob and tubes are both ceramic, knobs connected to the house framing to hold the conductor in place and tubes running through framing members to protect the conductors.


Unsafe Knob and Tube Wiring


Knob and tube wiring is mostly safe. If the wiring was there and no one has touched it, then it’s fine. 


Damaged wiring: knob and tubing wiring that was insulated with rubber breaks down from excessive heat, exposing the wire.


If you are buying a home with knob and tube wiring, make sure the home inspector has dealt with this type of wiring. Make sure you have insurance coverage for your home. If the inspector finds any problems with it, have an electrician inspect and repair it. That’s where CEP can help.