Smoke alarms fall under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Building Code, playing a crucial role in our homes. When purchasing a home, you’ll likely encounter one of three types of smoke detectors. The first type, commonly found at big-box stores and lumber yards, is battery-powered and mounted on the ceiling. The second type is wired...Read More

Ungrounded circuits were prevalent until approximately 1964 when NMD-style wiring was introduced, featuring the addition of a 3rd bare ground conductor. Prior to this, all electrical circuits in residential homes were ungrounded. Initially, 2-prong receptacles were employed because the 3rd opening in the receptacle was unnecessary. Individuals with older homes (pre-1964) sometimes opt to replace...Read More

One of the most challenging aspects for a REALTOR is overcoming obstacles that deter potential buyers from submitting an offer on a property. The most recent hurdle is the upgrading of the electrical service. Questions about what a 100 amp residential service looks like, whether the panel has been changed to resemble a new service,...Read More

In the world of a master electrician, residential electrical wiring can be the most elementary of systems that we have to deal with. To a homeowner, electricity can be really scary, and it should be. Today I would like to explain the basics of your residential electrical service and let you know a few things...Read More

Houses constructed before 1965 featured a 60-amp electrical overhead service. Canadian insurance companies have opted not to accept these services due to concerns about their adequacy in meeting today’s electrical demands, potentially posing a fire hazard. If you own a home built before 1965 and plan to sell it, there are critical considerations. Modern Realtors...Read More

In the province of Alberta, as per the Alberta Safety Codes Act and permit regulations, a residential electrical permit is mandatory for installing, altering, or adding to an electrical system. This implies that if you plan to construct a garage with electrical wiring or develop a basement, securing an electrical permit is essential. Now that...Read More

Finding a basement development completed without an electrical permit has become commonplace in our findings. Everything from adding a basement bedroom to a full-blown complete development. Realtors and home inspectors are discovering that this problem is becoming very serious. Due to Item 6.1 (g) of the Alberta Real Estate Association residential purchase contract, which states...Read More

I’m about to share something that many contractors and business people might not want me to disclose, but I don’t care. We’ve all heard the saying “buyer beware.” When homeowners embark on a project, often, it involves work they may not be familiar with. Consequently, we usually seek the expertise of professionals to guide us...Read More

At the turn of the last century, when electricity was relatively new to Alberta, the initial 120-volt 30-amp overhead electrical services that traversed our yards from the pole in the back alley used to be protected by glass fuses. These early residential electrical services were sufficient for supplying lights and early appliances. As technology evolved...Read More

Car chargers and hot tubs today are a wonderful addition to anyone’s home. The only problem is, they add a considerable amount of demand on a residential electrical service. With more homes choosing to add these types of new devices, it is putting an increased load and strain on the existing established utility wiring and...Read More