When homeowners and businesses need professional outlet wiring in Hamilton and Niagara, ON, they choose Kraun Electric. While it’s easy to take your outlets for granted, they’re integral to your convenience, safety, and energy efficiency. If your home has older outlets, we can upgrade them to achieve modern code compliance. Our electricians can add outlets in rooms where you often seem to lack sufficient electrical connections. We can also enhance your home with the latest features, including smart capabilities and USB integration.
Contact Kraun Electric today to learn more about your outlet wiring options throughout Hamilton, Niagara, and the surrounding communities.
Importance of Proper Outlet Wiring
Proper wiring for outlets is an integral aspect of electrical safety. Incorrectly wired outlets or deteriorated wiring increase the risk of shocks, fires, and other hazards. If you have outlets in your home that are older than 15 years, they may need to be replaced. The wiring, connections, and even the outlets themselves may be wearing out. It’s also likely that the installation techniques used aren’t up to modern standards. Modernizing your outlets will not only make your home safer but also more energy efficient. It can also extend the lifespans and improve the performance of major appliances, electronic devices, and more.
- Loose outlets
- Missing grounding
- High electricity bills
- Arcing or scorch marks
- Warm or even hot outlets
- Buzzing or crackling sounds
- Lamps flickering or dimming
- Slow or inconsistent charging
- Reoccurring tripped circuit breakers
Upgrading Outlets for Safety and Function
It’s important to ensure that you have enough outlets available in each room. You should avoid using power strips to overcome outlet limitations. Using power strips in that manner creates a potentially dangerous environment and can damage devices. Use Level 3 surge protection, provided by surge protector strips. Alternatively, you can have us install outlets with integrated Level 3 surge protection. That will let you reduce the need for dedicated surge protector strips that can clutter your living spaces.
Ensuring safe outlets throughout the home requires installing ground-fault (GFCI) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI). GFCI outlets protect against electric shocks. Modern code requires them wherever there is water present. These include kitchens, bathrooms, attached garages, outdoor installations, and even rooms with aquariums. AFCI outlets protect against electrical fires caused by arc faults. Modern code often requires them in bedrooms and hallways. We also install GFCI-AFCI combination outlets for living areas that require both forms of protection.
Integrated surge protection is just one of the modern features available for your outlets. Our electricians can install smart outlets that integrate with your home automation system. They can prevent standby drainage and shut off devices on timers through even more advanced programming. Many homeowners opt for outlets with integrated USB ports to eliminate the need for dedicated chargers. Your outlets can support many other connections as well, including Ethernet, FireWire, and more.
Installation, Repairs, and Code Compliance
A common mistake homeowners make is not scheduling electrical services until there’s a problem. We recommend a whole-home electrical inspection every few years. It’s especially important for older homes that may soon be due for electrical upgrades. You’ll know how your outlets are aging and be able to replace them long before they become hazards. We can also help you consider the latest features that your current outlets may not have.
Our electricians perform outlet repairs, replacements, and new installations. In order to be code-compliant, an outlet must be on an appropriate dedicated circuit that isn’t overloaded. Additionally, outlets must have GFCI and AFCI protection as required by the building code. The panel should provide at least 100 amps of coverage and as much as is needed for the household’s power demand. Another consideration is whole-home surge protection, as outlets are a common source of internal surges. While not yet a Canadian Electrical Code requirement, it likely will be soon, and most local electricians recommend it regardless.
- Future-proofing
- Higher energy efficiency
- Increased property value
- Protection from arc faults
- Better protection for connected devices
- Minimized risk of shocks and electrical fires
Schedule Outlet Wiring Service With Kraun Electric
We’re a fully licensed and insured electrical company that’s served the region for over 25 years. Our business is HomeStars Verified and has earned many five-star reviews on Google. We back all our work with a satisfaction guarantee and a one-year workmanship and material warranty. You can schedule service with us by phone or online through our website. If you need repairs, we offer same-day service and have electricians on call around the clock for emergencies. Our company provides in-person consultations and estimates for installations at no cost and without obligation. We also have flexible installation financing options available on approved credit.
Kraun Electric is a local, trusted electrical contractor for outlet wiring in Hamilton and Niagara. Call today or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to several of the most common questions about our outlet-related services. If you have additional questions, contact us at your convenience.
How can I tell if my outlets are wired correctly?
The best way to know if you have incorrectly wired outlets or deteriorated wiring is to schedule us for an inspection. We’ll perform a comprehensive review of your electrical system and provide you with professional recommendations. If you do have outlet wiring problems, they will often manifest as symptoms that affect your daily life. These can include dead outlets, warm outlets, outlets that arc, flickering or dimming lamps, inconsistent charging, and so forth.
Can I add more outlets to an existing room?
The answer is typically yes, but it depends on several conditions related to your electrical system. Our electricians can often add outlets to an existing circuit as long as it won’t overload it. If a panel has the capacity for more circuits, we can add one or more circuits to accommodate the new outlets. If the panel has the capacity but lacks the physical space, we can add a subpanel to accommodate the circuit breakers.
What is the difference between GFCI and standard outlets?
GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter. GFCI outlets have an integrated sensor that detects ground faults and disables the device within milliseconds. This feature protects against electrical shocks and prevents injuries and even deaths. Modern code requires GFCI outlets in any rooms where water is present, including kitchens and bathrooms.
Do you handle outdoor and specialty outlet wiring?
Yes, we install all manner of outlets for residential and commercial applications. Code typically requires GFCI outlets for outdoor use, and we recommend weather-resistant devices for longevity. Our team installs heavy-duty outlets that can withstand the rigors of harsh weather and frequent use. Outdoor outlets can also have modern convenience features, including smart capabilities and USB integration.
