Should I Update the Electrical Wiring for My Home Office?

5 July, 2021 Hi-Lite Electric Inc.

As more and more companies develop plans for a post-pandemic hybrid workplace, your remote office will likely become a permanent feature. But your home office may need more electricity than other parts of your home.

Your home office is likely a hub of activity and if you have your phone, tablet, computer and other devices all plugged in you may be running short on outlet space. Stacking up power cords can be a hazard in your home. Updating the electrical wiring for your home office is a straightforward way to solve your problem.

When It’s Time to Update Your Wiring

Not sure if your home office needs electrical repair? Here are some signs that your home could benefit from new wiring:

• Old wires – If you have a home that is 40 years or older and the wiring hasn’t already been updated, it’s time to change it. Older wiring may have frayed and won’t have the capacity to meet your modern-day needs.
• Broken outlet covers – Wear and tear can be tough on outlet covers. From slight cracks to more significant breaks, it allows dust and debris to collect inside, near the wires. This presents a serious fire hazard.
• Dimming/flickering lights – Do you notice a change in the lighting of your home when you turn on your appliances? Do they dim or flicker? It could be a sign of system overload and you should have it looked at by a professional.
• Not enough outlets – If your home office is full of cables and extension cords, you could benefit from more outlets. Having too many appliances plugged into sockets can increase the risk of fire.
• Lack of GFCIs – Also called ground fault circuit interrupter, these outlets have test and reset buttons. They are a must-have in high-moisture areas of your home. It protects you from electric shocks. If your home office is located near a bathroom, utility room, or spa or pool area, you may want to consider adding GFCIs.
• AFCIs – Also called arc-fault circuit interrupter, these outlets are best for bedrooms and may also be helpful to have in your home office. They act as a circuit breaker and can disconnect to prevent fire.
• Lack of power – If you’ve noticed that your devices do not run as well as they should, it could be that they are competing for electricity. While 60 amps may have been enough in residential homes years ago, it is not enough to meet today’s demand. We have more electric devices that need power and smart home features that take a lot of energy – plus we are now spending more time in our homes. You should have 100 to 200 amps to keep up with your needs, especially if you will be working from home for the long term.

Benefits of Updating Your Electrical Wiring

Updating the electrical wiring for your home office has several advantages, such as:

• Safety: Having too many items plugged in can present safety hazards. Beyond electric shocks and power surges, bad wiring also presents a fire risk. Updating your wiring system involves having a professional come out and assess what you currently have in your home. Doing this will eliminate older, worn-out wires that pose a fire hazard.
• Provide sufficient power supply: Working from home has its challenges but you don’t want to add the performance of your computer or other devices to the mix. New wiring in your home office will ensure that all your equipment has the power it needs.
• Compliance with standards: Building code standards often change to stay on top of safety issues. Updating your wiring will help you do electrical repairs that bring your system up to code.
• Prepare for future growth: While your office may be good enough for you to work in now, if it becomes a permanent setting where you want to be your most productive, things may need to change. Adding extra outlets and ensuring your electric system can supply modern equipment with enough power will help you prepare for changes in the future.

Tips for Electric Wire Repair

Once you decide to update the electrical wiring in your home office, here are the steps to take to get the most from your system.

• Guard against surges and spikes: Power surges or spikes have the potential to seriously damage your equipment. They are not just caused by storms but can also come into your home through the electrical system. To protect your home and remote office, install surge protectors to prevent a surge from hitting circuits in the panel.
• Change your outlets: Upgrading your outlets will ensure they can supply the amount of power that your home office needs. You may also want to install outlets with built-in USB ports and surge protectors to prevent damage to your devices.
• Add circuits: If you have multiple workstations in your office, adding additional circuits to the room will make everything run more smoothly. You can even ask your professional electrician to split the outlets.
• Change the wiring: Creating a space with different types of cables can expand your bandwidth, allowing you to get more done in your home office. Consider adding some CAT 5e/CAT-6 Cables, which can be used to connect telephones, audio/video and home automation equipment. You may also want to add coaxial cables to distribute your cable-provided broadband throughout the house.

Your home office should help you be more productive. If you are struggling with the electric power supply at your home, call a professional to see if it’s time to update your wiring.

For more information about upgrading your home office’s wiring, call Hi-Lite Electric at (416) 241-9296 or contact us here.