HOMEOWNER TIPS
Homes built before 1950 are likely to have been wired using the Knob and Tube method, (See image to the left). Homes built prior to 1963 may not have a ground for the branch circuits, (outlets, switches, lights, etc). If your home is older than 1963 you may want to condider having a safety inspection performed. We are very thorough with our home inspections and provide you with any recommendations for improvement if any issues are discovered.
Zinsco panels also known as Sylvania, Magnetrip, Challenger and GTE should be upgraded. They have an extensive history of failing. The issue is the connection of the circuit breaker to the bus. The circuit breakers are compromised when they are installed on the panel. The installation spreads the contact apart weakining the connection to the bus. This prevents the circuit breaker from contacting the bus with sufficient pressure to maintain a good connection. A loose connection causes resistance. Resistence leads to heat. Heat leads to fire. Any legitimate electrical contractor will not service or add additional circuits to these panels as they would only be compounding a condition you already have.
As temperatures change your panel heats up and cools down. This heating and cooling causes the metal components to expand and contract and the lugs loosen over time. Your panel should be serviced once a year by a qualified electrician. Loose connections can lead to flickering lights, intermitant power to circuits, arching and even circuit failure.
Homes are wired using either series, parrallel or both methods. Series wiring sends the load through the device where parrallel wiring sends the load through the conductors only, adding wires tapped into the branch circuit to serve each device. Many homes are wired in series. Why? It is fast reducing labor cost. Unfortunately it is also the cause of outlets overheating and melting or catching fire.