Do You Need to Update Your Home or Business's Electrical System to Meet Current Code?
As a Kansas homeowner or business owner, it’s very important for you to stay on top of current code requirements. Keeping your home or business up to code can help make sure you’re keeping up with current electrical needs and safety guidelines. If your home or building is older, you may not have proper safety devices and adequate electrical systems in place. You keep other things in your life updated, like cars and appliances, and your electrical system is no different! We offer inspections where we’ll come out and inspect the panel and current electrical system on your property. With the inspection, we can make recommendations and give you pricing on the work that needs to be done.
Whether you just want to make sure you’re up to code, or you’re renovating and want to keep things current, our team can help. Safety is our top priority and at Young Electric. We never cut corners, especially when your safety could be at risk.
Below is the most current Safety and Code Information from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
Safety Devices:
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI): Available as circuit breakers and receptacle. AFCIs protect against electrical fires from malfunctions. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 50% of home electrical fires can be prevented by proper AFCI protection.
Surge Protective Devices (SPD): Surge Protective Devices protect against surges that can damage or reduce the lifespan of your electrical system and devices.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI): Available as a circuit breaker and receptacle. GFCIs protect against electric shock and are required in areas where water and electricity may come in contact.
Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRR): Tamper Resistant Receptacles function like normal receptacles but they include an internal shutter system to prevent foreign objects from being inserted into the outlets.
2020 Code Requirements
Renovating the following areas in your home? The following protection is required in these areas as of the 2020 National Electrical Code
Bathrooms
Basements & Crawl Spaces
- AFCI protection (finished basements)
- GFCI protection (crawl spaces at or below grade)
Bedrooms
Common Rooms (Family, dining, parlor, libraries, dens, recreation, and similar rooms)
Garages
Hallways & Closets
Kitchens (Where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces or where receptacles are installed within 6 feet of a sink)
- AFCI protection
- GFCI protection
Laundry Areas
- AFCI protection
- GFCI protection
Outdoors
2020 National Electrical Code Highlights
- All receptacles in homes, garages, accessory buildings, and common areas of multifamily homes must be protected by TRRs
- New and replaced service equipment are now required to be protected by listed Type 1 or Type 2 Surge Protective Devices
- Outdoor emergency disconnects are required for new construction and homes having their service replaced.
Safety Device and Current Code information provided by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)