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While many electricians are skilled in various electrical tasks, not every electrician is qualified to undertake a full house rewiring. This is a major, complex project that requires specific expertise. You should hire a licensed master electrician or a reputable electrical contracting company with extensive experience in residential rewiring. They must understand current local building codes, the National Electrical Code (NEC), and be capable of creating a new electrical plan for your entire home. A full rewire involves accessing walls, upgrading the service panel, and ensuring the entire system is safe and can handle modern electrical loads. Always verify licenses, insurance, and references before hiring for such a significant job.
An electrician who fixes power lines is typically a lineworker, also known as a lineman or powerline technician. This is a specialized trade distinct from residential or commercial electricians who work inside buildings. Lineworkers are employed by utility companies, contractors, or municipalities. Their work involves the high-voltage transmission and distribution lines that deliver electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. This outdoor, high-risk job requires extensive training, often through apprenticeships, and includes tasks like installing, maintaining, and repairing poles, towers, cables, and transformers. They must be proficient in climbing, operating bucket trucks, and adhering to strict safety protocols to work on live electrical systems, often in challenging weather conditions.
The most common electrical service for residential buildings in North America is the single-phase, three-wire, 120/240-volt system. This setup provides two 120-volt "hot" legs and a neutral wire, allowing for both standard 120-volt outlets for lighting and appliances and 240-volt circuits for high-demand equipment like electric ranges, dryers, and HVAC systems. The typical service capacity is 100, 150, or 200 amperes, with 200A becoming the standard for modern homes to accommodate increased electrical loads. This configuration is favored for its efficiency, safety, and ability to power a full range of household devices while adhering to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations.
Residential electricians provide a wide range of essential services for homes, focusing on safety, functionality, and modern upgrades. Their core work includes installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, outlets, lighting fixtures, and circuit breaker panels. They perform crucial safety inspections and troubleshooting to diagnose issues like power outages or faulty circuits. A significant part of their service involves upgrading electrical systems to meet current codes, installing dedicated circuits for major appliances, and setting up home automation or smart home features. For new construction or major renovations, they wire the entire house from the ground up. They also handle the installation of safety devices like ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and surge protectors, ensuring the home's electrical system is both reliable and compliant with all national and local regulations.