You depend on your electrical wiring to provide power to every area of your home and property in Ocala, Florida. Making sure your wiring is safe and up to the task of delivering electricity to your appliances and devices can provide you with valuable peace of mind about your electrical safety at home. The skilled electricians at Mister Sparky offer a full lineup of electrical services for our customers. We can diagnose ongoing electrical problems and can perform complete rewiring for your home to ensure the most reliable power for you and your family this year and in the future.
The Most Common Types of Electrical Wiring
Your electrician can select from a wide range of options when determining which type of electrical wiring is right for your project. If you are planning to rewire your entire home, different types of wiring may be needed to accommodate the electrical demands of appliances, rooms and circuits. Some of the most common varieties of electrical wiring include non-metallic (NM) cables, underground feeder (UF) cables, armor-clad (AC) cables, metal-clad cables and low-voltage wiring:
- NM-B cables are the most popular type of electrical cable for residential use. The B in NM-B refers to the heat rating of these cables, which is listed at 90 degrees Celsius or 194 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat rating or temperature rating of cables indicates the upper limit of temperatures that the insulation of a specific cable can withstand without damage to its insulative properties or structural integrity. NM-B uses thermoplastic insulated wires and sheathing to provide reliable electrical service in dry interior spaces.
- UF cables are rated for installation underground and in areas that may become damp like basements. The wires for UF cable are encased in solid thermoplastic rather than individually insulated in thermoplastic, which provides additional protection against moisture. This allows UF cable to be used in a variety of outdoor and indoor settings.
- AC cables are less commonly used in modern electrical systems but may be present in older homes. These cables incorporate insulated hot and neutral wires along with a bonding wire. This wire bundle is then wrapped in paper and surrounded by a metal sheath that also acts as the ground for these cables. Sometimes referred to as BX cables, AC cables are not for use in damp areas or outdoors.
- Metal-clad cables are generally reserved for commercial and industrial installations. Metal-clad cables consist of insulated neutral and hot wires with a bonding wire and an additional ground wire. These wires are encased in plastic to provide added insulation and protection against moisture. This type of cable is designed only for indoor use.
- Low-voltage wiring may be required for security systems, thermostats, doorbells and certain types of outdoor lighting fixtures. Circuits using low-voltage wiring usually carry less than 50 volts of current.
Other types of electrical cabling and wiring may include coaxial cable, speaker cables, landscape cables, HDMI cables and many other wiring options used for electronics and specialty applications. Your electrician will advise you on the best wiring options for your specific project or for the various areas of your Ocala home.
Should I Select Aluminum or Copper Wire?
Aluminum, copper-clad aluminum and copper are the most common materials used in electrical wiring. The consensus in the electrical industry is that copper is preferable in nearly all ways to aluminum and copper-clad aluminum alternatives. Some of the reasons to choose copper over aluminum when replacing wiring for your home are listed here:
- Durability: Copper lasts longer than aluminum in electrical applications. This can potentially save you time and money on replacement costs by delaying the need for those replacements well into the future.
- Reliability: Copper wiring is much less likely to experience shorts and other electrical faults than copper-clad aluminum or aluminum wiring.
- Resistance: Aluminum has a higher resistance that makes it much less conductive than copper wiring. This can present issues for larger electrical loads.
- Size: Aluminum wire must be thicker in gauge than copper to carry the same amperage.
- Increased vibration: Because aluminum can vibrate when current passes through it, connections may loosen over time to create electrical faults and shorts in your wiring.
- Potential for corrosion: Aluminum wiring must be protected against air, moisture and other metals to prevent it from corroding and becoming even less conductive.
The primary reason to choose aluminum over copper is its lower price. Most homeowners, however, will pay for this small savings with reduced durability and increased problems with their electrical system throughout the life of the aluminum wiring installation.
Choosing the Right Size
The size of your electrical wiring is measured both in the amperage it can carry and its diameter or gauge. Larger gauge numbers generally mean smaller wires. Some of the most common sizes used for Ocala home electrical systems are listed here:
- 3-gauge wire typically carries up to 100 amps and is used for feeder wire and service entrance wiring.
- 6-gauge wire carries 55 amps and is designed to provide power for large appliances.
- 8-gauge wire will usually carry up to 40 amps for large appliances.
- 10-gauge wire can carry up to 30 amps and may be used to power clothes dryers and air conditioning systems.
- 12-gauge wire is used for washing machines and appliances. It can carry up to 20 amps of electricity.
- 14-gauge wire carries 15 amps for lighting and most outlets in your Ocala home.
Your local electrician will use the most appropriately sized electrical wiring in every area of your home to ensure that you have reliable electrical power for years into the future.
At Mister Sparky of Ocala, our team of electricians can recommend the best electrical wiring solutions for your needs. We can resolve issues with flickering lights, overtaxed circuits and other problems that may arise with your home electrical system. Our team is here to help with emergency repairs and upgrades to your home wiring or electrical panel. Give Mister Sparky a call today to schedule an appointment with us. We’re always here to help when you need us.