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Electrical questions, answered by experts

How far you can run underground electric depends on the wire gauge (generally AWG) and the circuit voltage. Too much voltage drop in an electrical circuit can negatively affect performance, so the smaller the voltage drop, the better. Ideally, it shouldn't exceed 3%. The smaller the wire and the longer the run, the more significant the voltage drop. 

For example, with a 120-volt circuit, you can run 60 feet of 12 AWG cable without losing more than 3% voltage. With a 240-volt circuit, you can run 120 feet of 12 AWG wire while maintaining a voltage drop of 3% or less.

Wiring can last anywhere from 50 to 70 years, but all kinds of mishaps can occur that reduce the lifespan of your electrical wiring, including severe weather conditions, pests, and even faulty wiring. Keeping a preventative maintenance scheduling and hiring an electrician for an annual electrical inspection will keep your wiring system around for as long as possible.

Do not touch electrical wires in your home without first turning off the power at your circuit breaker and testing the wire with a voltage meter or multimeter. Electricity still flows through wires even when a light switch is powered off, and touching wires with the switch on can result in electrical shock.

If the outlet is a GFCI model, this is normal since these outlets have their own breakers that shut off when they encounter a problem—just hitting the reset button should solve the issue. Otherwise, the outlet could have bad wiring, or your circuit breaker could be having issues. If the issue started out of nowhere and is not on a GFCI outelt, it’s best to contact an electrician to diagnose the issue.

A sudden tiny spark is normal when first plugging in an appliance. However, if your plug regularly sparks, has other concerning problems, or worries you for any reason, you should call a licensed electrician to have it inspected and ensure that it is not at risk of causing an electrical fire.

The Auberry, CA homeowners’ guide to electrical services

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