Pre-1972 Homes Have More Electrical Problems

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If your house was built prior to 1972, you may have an elevated risk for electrical fires and other related problems. This is because homes built during this period were wired with aluminum electrical systems, which can be prone to oxidation. However, the problem is more complex than it sounds.

Aluminum wire is actually perfectly safe in most applications. For instance, commercial jets utilize this lightweight conductor in their electrical systems. The problem in older homes is that the aluminum wire is exposed at points of connection throughout the house. Without the insulation covering it, aluminum wire tends to rust. Rust resists conduction, causing the wire to heat up when the power is switched on. This heat is what causes electrical fires.

Changes in pressure or temperature can also affect aluminum wire, leading to loose connections and sparks. If aluminum wire is connected to other metals, chemical reactions can also affect the flow of power. And, although aluminum wire was commonly used during the ‘60s and early ‘70s, electricians back then rarely took care to avoid these complications. As a result, a surprising number of homes still have faulty aluminum wiring. This is especially prevalent in neighborhoods with older homes, such as certain parts of Burbank or Pasadena.

If your home contains aluminum wiring, or you suspect it does due to its age, contacting a professional electrician in Los Angeles for an inspection is your best move. They can check for the presence of aluminum and recommend the appropriate solution. In most cases, this means rewiring the entire home or replacing the contact points. Either way, shoring up your older home’s electrical systems will help ensure that your lights and appliances continue to work and that electrical fires don’t start.