Get matched with top electricians in Wurtland, KY

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.

Yes, electricians must be licensed, certified, and in most cases, insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and local municipality, but most U.S. municipalities require electricians to hold an electrical contractor’s license. It's always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. Even if licensing is not required in your area, hiring a licensed and experienced electrician often leads to a better end result.

A license is a legal requirement to operate a business and is necessary for pulling project permits. Certifications, on the other hand, are typically voluntary and demonstrate a certain level of expertise. In some cases, a certified electrician may send an apprentice or journeyman to perform the work, but they must operate under a primary electrician who holds the proper license.

Before hiring, you should verify the electrician's license, insurance coverage, and any third-party certifications. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing search to confirm a pro's license status. Additionally, businesses with the “Angi Approved” badge on our platform meet strict criteria, including having the required state and local licenses, passing a background check, and maintaining a high average rating.

The Occupational Safety and Home Administration (OSHA) requires an electrical panel to have a minimum of three feet (36 inches) of room from the front of the panel to the closest obstacle. In this case, the word obstacle refers to nearly everything, including walls, machines, and other fixed objects. Additionally, panels require at least 6½ feet of headroom in the area directly in front of the fixture. These requirements help ensure safe use of the panel and allow electricians plenty of room to work.

Typically, refrigerators should not be plugged into GFCI outlets. This is another appliance with a motor that can be prone to a little current leakage. Using a standard outlet saves nuisance tripping and the potential of waking up to a refrigerator full of warm food. The only exception is when the refrigerator is in a garage, where all outlets must be GFCI.