What is the most used but least maintained item in your home? Your plugs and switches! Also called receptacles, outlets, devices. But do plugs outlets and switches wear out?
Think about how many times a day you turn on and off a light switch. Some of them you might turn on and off 20 or more times in one day. And when’s the last time you replaced these highly used switches and receptacles?
It’s not an often covered topic as you can’t really see the wear and tear that happens inside an electrical plug outlet or switch but just like any other mechanical device these devices wear out too.
How to tell if outlets and switches are worn out?
Yes, the receptacles and switches in your home are likely the same ones that were installed when your home was built. And no, plugs -or more specifically receptacles- do not last forever. Here is a guide on how to determine if it is time to replace those receptacles and switches.
- Terminal wear, loose connection to plug-ins.
- Flickering light fixtures.
- Crackling sound from inside.
- Plug-in is loose, moves around.
- Receptacle is no longer supported correctly and has fallen into the wall.
- Full degradation of outlet or switch, breaking apart.
See our article here on what can an electrician do to see if it can be taken care of for you.
How old are my outlets and switches?
The truth is most manufacturers don’t publish how long their devices should last or how to tell their age so here are a couple tips on how to tell if it’s time to replace your outlets and switches.
- They are the old school toggle Style switches that stick out. electricians have not been installing the style of switches in homes since the early 90s. Unless a specific replacement has been installed but even then in most cases we will upgrade them with the new rectangular “Decora style”. Take a look around your home and see if you have the old school toggle style switches and it’s likely that they are the ones that were installed in your home when it was built however many years ago.
- Look for light almond devices; those are the ones that are off-white colour. These are popular in the 80s to 90s so if you have light almond style receptacles or switches in your house it’s likely these are 20 years old or more.
- Look for standard style receptacles. These are receptacles that have to semi-circles with a screw in the middle. Just like the switches, these styles of receptacles have not been a common installation since the 80s. If you have these in your house it’s likely that most of them are the same that were installed when your house was built.
- Do you see a little TR symbol on the face of the receptacle? This is a new ultra-safe style receptacle that keeps kids from Jobing things into the outlets and getting shocked. They will be clearly marked on the faces so if your receptacles do not have a TR on them they are not the most current most safe style of electrical outlet.
What kind of plug-ins and switches do I have in my home?
There are many different kinds of electrical devices and styles of each. Here is a list of the most common devices that you would have in your home.
- Standard Receptacle
- GFCI Receptacle
- Smart Receptacle
- 1 Pole Switch
- 3 Way Switch
- 4 Way Switch
- Dimmer Switch
- Timer Switch
- Smart Switch
That is a list of the most common types of electrical devices you’ll find in your home. All of these devices are made in 2 different styles.
- Standard: These were the most commonly installed style of electrical devices installed in homes up until the mid-80s. They are still used in commercial applications And are still available as replacement devices for what you may have in your house.
- Decora: This style of device is the most common. These devices look really nice and because they are the most commonly installed style of outlet or switch there are many different options available. The style of devices I’ve been getting installed in homes since the mid-80s.
Why would I want to upgrade my outlets and switches?
Now will your house burn down from old receptacles and switches? The honest answer is no, it’s not likely. Receptacles, even the old ones are built very well and are CSA approved. So why would you want to replace your old ones?
Poor connections inside a worn-out receptacle can cause internal arcing and sparking. these little Sparks and interruptions and power can cause little power surges in your devices which can cause sensitive devices like computers, TVs, smart home equipment, Google home devices and more to suffer from failure due to a power surge.
Cool new smart home connected devices can be installed in key locations throughout your house that will allow you to turn on lamps or lights through your Google home or smart home connected devices. No more forgetting to turn out the lights when you leave or walking around in your house in the dark when you can program the system to come on and off when you need it to.
Like new paint on the walls new electrical devices in bright white that are clean and free of scratches also go a long way in making your home look fresh and new and can even raise the value of your home to a potential buyer.
Are worn out switches and receptacles dangerous?
As mentioned earlier it’s not common that a worn out and old electrical device will cause an electrical fire in your home. Not saying that that hasn’t happened, it’s just not the most likely thing. However there are some things that can happen to electrical devices throughout time that are worrisome and you should take a look at your plugs and switches to make sure you don’t see any of these telltale signs it’s time to replace:
- internal crackling, sparking sounds
- black marks around outlets
- plugs falling out
If you notice any of these issues with your Outlets or switches it’s likely time to give a professional a call. Most electrical companies including us will offer at minimum a free over the phone consultation and in most cases they will do a quote for replacing your devices.
How much does it cost to upgrade my devices?
The cost of upgrading your receptacles and switches can vary quite a bit depending on what exactly you want to have replaced. Check out our article here on the cost of having your electrical outlets and switches upgraded for some more information.
Can I replace my own receptacles and switches?
Replacing your own electrical outlets and switches is totally a task a Handy homeowner can take care of. There are a few steps you’ll want to take to make sure you don’t get shocked replacing your Outlets or make a mistake and cause an electrical short. We’ve written up a really nice article on how to replace your own electrical devices here, click the link to check out our article.
Check out these cool new upgrade devices that can make your life easier.
So you may have determined that it’s time to upgrade the electrical devices in your house. Now that you might be considering I change there are some really cool upgrade options you might want to have a look at. Everything from smart home connected devices to dimmers or considerations you may want to make when getting an electrical upgrade package put together.
Looking for some inspiration on cool new outlets and switches for your home? Click below for free catalogue download from our preferred manufacturer.
Click here to download a free brochure from Legrand Canada.
Have a specific question about the devices in your home? Reach out to us with your question and we will get back to you right away.
Find out more about us and book a quote on our website by clicking here.
