how to upgrade an older home electrical

john_bry

I want to upgrade a fusebox panel and probably the conduits.
ITs an older single story small home with 2 br and a bath.
All the conduits are running in the attic ontop of the rafters.

If i get a new "service" is it ok to run the conduit above
the rafters instead of thru the rafters?

If the receptacles are really loose in the cinderblocks should
I think about getting a whole new "electrical service" done?

thx

oh'mike

New wires are usually pulled through the existing conduit----even when old the conduit is seldom replaced.

Is there a reason you wish to do that?

New boxes can be added to the existing conduit if the old boxes aren't suitable for todays needs.

I'm not an electrician--one will be along soon,

Where are you? Most places in Canada and the US allow Romex in residential construction---so wiring could also be added using that instead of conduit.

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Glennsparky

Ditto, what oh'mike said. FYI, "electrical service" usually refers to some combination of, the weatherhead, meter can, and, first and/or largest panel. Get detailed estimates to know how each electrician defines that term. Replacing all the rest of the wiring is a whole house rewire.

A whole house rewire is probably unnecessary. Additional circuits may be advisable. Existing conduit is safe above the rafters and grandfathered in.

Conduit resists physical damage much better than romex, and it lasts forever, except for rust. To rust out conduit requires chronic and severe water damage, seldom found in attics. Loose conduit joints can compromise your ground. And if you have wobbly boxes, you may have hidden, loose joints. The easy fix is to include a bare wire with any replacement pull.

Rafters are load bearing. There are building codes that specify the size and location of holes. For safety, know before you drill.

Expansive hydraulic cement might be the answer to loose boxes in cinder block. It expands to wedge the boxes in tight. Regular cement shrinks. Fill a plastic bag and cut off a small piece of the corner. Use it like a pastry chef. Fill between box and block.