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Your home’s electrical system provides power for lighting, appliances, and electronics—but a malfunction could be dangerous for both people and property. If you’re concerned about problems with your home’s outlets, have an electrician inspect them for potential issues. Below, Michael Lawrence Electric of Pico Rivera, CA, explains a few reasons why homeowners might be worried about outdated wiring and outlets.

How to Tell It’s Time to Update Your Outlets

1. Ungrounded Outlets

Some home electrical outlets only come with holes for two-pronged plugs. But many appliances and electronics have plugs with an extra prong which allows for them to be grounded. The grounding wire gives excess energy a place to go, which is critical after a lightning strike or power surge. This prevents electrical fires, personal injury, and damaged electronics. Having an electrician replace the two-pronged outlets with three-pronged ones will make life more convenient and keep your home and family safer.

2. Lack of GFCI Technology

electrician Pico Rivera CAHave you ever noticed the little buttons on the outlets in near the kitchen and bathrooms sinks? Those are called ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, and they protect people from electrical shock. Water conducts electricity, which can make having an outlet near a sink risky, even if it’s essential for a small appliance. GFCI outlets shut off the flow of electricity as soon as they detect a disruption in the circuit, whether it’s a person or water source. If these devices are absent from your home or damaged, then you may need electrical repairs or a new installation.

3. Older Home

While many older homes are livable without major design modifications, the electrical wiring should be updated for your safety. Today’s electronics, lighting fixtures, and appliances draw more power than previous models, which can result in performance issues if the wiring is original to the house. If flickering lights and blown fuses are a persistent issue, then have an electrician update the wiring scheme and outlets to ensure their compatibility with your belongings.

When you need a reliable electrician to update the fixtures in your home, Michael Lawrence Electric is the team to trust. These commercial and residential electricians will take care of any indoor or outdoor electrical installation or repairs you need to make your home safer and more functional. Call (213) 591-0829 to schedule a consultation, and visit their website to learn more about their services.

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