History of Home Electrification in THE US

The history of home wiring in America is a fascinating journey that has evolved significantly over the years. Here's a brief overview:

Early Wiring Methods (Late 19th Century): In the late 19th century, as electricity began to be introduced into American homes, wiring methods were rudimentary and often hazardous. Knob and tube wiring, consisting of porcelain knobs and tubes to support and protect wires, was one of the earliest wiring methods used. Knob and tube is generally still sized correctly to operate if you have it in your home. However, it has several drawbacks. It is run as a two-wire circuit, meaning it lacks grounding, making it unable by its nature to clear ground faults. The cloth and rubber insulation on knob and tube will fail eventually, which can cause arcs. It was designed to dissipate heat into free air, so insulation should not be installed over it.

Introduction of Romex Cable (1920s): In the 1920s, the invention of Romex cable revolutionized home wiring. Romex, a brand name for type NM cable, consisted of multiple insulated wires encased in a flexible jacket. Romex provided a safer and more efficient alternative to knob and tube wiring, leading to its widespread adoption in residential construction. Today’s NM cable is available color coded, with three conductors, and at every big box store. There’s a reason it is the go-to method for residential wiring. It is fast, reliable, and simple.

Adoption of National Electrical Code (NEC): The National Electrical Code (NEC), first published in 1897, established safety standards and guidelines for electrical wiring installations in the United States. Over the years, the NEC has been regularly updated every three years to incorporate advancements in technology and improve electrical safety in homes and buildings. The whole purpose of the NEC is “the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity“. It is not an instruction manual about how to install XYZ product.

Aluminum Wiring Controversy (1960s-1970s): In the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring gained popularity as a cost-effective alternative to copper wiring. However, concerns arose about its safety due to issues such as expansion and contraction, which could lead to loose connections and fire hazards. As a result, many homes with aluminum wiring underwent remediation or rewiring with copper. Today’s alloys of aluminum have been engineered to eliminate the expansion and contraction issues of the original aluminum wiring methods. However, if you have aluminum wire in your home, it is strongly recommended that it get replaced.

Introduction of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs): In the late 20th century and early 21st century, advancements in electrical safety led to the widespread adoption of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in residential wiring installations. These devices provide enhanced protection against electrical shocks and fires by detecting and interrupting dangerous electrical faults.

A common misconception is that standard breakers are there for protection of people from shocks, but it only takes about 0.7 amps to kill an adult man. Obviously, a 15 amp circuit breaker will not trip at 0.7 amps. GFCIs detect any current that is not returning to the panel on the grounded conductor and is designed to trip before .006 amps of current leakage.

AFCI’s detect small arcs resulting from damaged wiring. Think of these arcs as little welding arcs. They create intense heat and can easily ignite wood, fabric, or similar. The only drawback of AFCIs is that old equipment tends to cause nuisance tripping.

Smart Home Technology and Integration: In recent years, the rise of smart home technology has transformed the way homes are wired and connected. From integrated home automation systems to wireless communication protocols, homeowners now have access to a wide range of innovative solutions for controlling and monitoring their electrical systems remotely.

Overall, the history of home wiring in America reflects a journey of innovation and a massive quality of life increase balanced with safety improvements and thoughtful, tragedy-inspired regulation.