EZSMART Corporation, ESA/ECRA #7012690 , North York , Ontario
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What Is Cloth-Covered Wiring and Is It a Fire Hazard? Cloth-covered wiring refers to electrical conductors insulated with rubber and wrapped in a braided fabric jacket — the standard wiring material used in Canadian homes from the early 1900s through the 1950s. The cloth is not the insulator; it is an outer protective braid over […]
What Happens If I Do Electrical Work Without a Permit? In Ontario, most electrical work requires a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and a Certificate of Inspection before the work is considered complete. Doing electrical work without a permit is illegal, and the consequences extend well beyond the work itself. Legal and Financial […]
What Happens If Hot and Neutral Wires Are Reversed? Reversed polarity — connecting the hot wire to the neutral terminal and the neutral wire to the hot terminal — is one of the most common wiring mistakes in residential electrical work. It is also one of the most dangerous, because the circuit may appear to […]
What Fails a Home Electrical Inspection? A home electrical inspection evaluates whether the electrical system meets the current edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) and is safe for occupancy. Inspections are required after new electrical work, after a permit is pulled, and sometimes during real estate transactions or insurance renewals. Failing an inspection […]
What Does It Mean If a Breaker Trips Immediately After Resetting? A breaker that trips the instant you reset it — without any load on the circuit — is telling you there is a fault condition on the circuit, not an overload. This is a different problem than a breaker that trips under normal use, […]
What Causes Wiring Insulation to Become Brittle? Wiring insulation is the plastic or rubber jacket that surrounds the conductor and prevents it from contacting other wires, surfaces, or people. When insulation becomes brittle, it cracks, flakes, or disintegrates — exposing the energized conductor and creating shock and fire hazards. Brittle insulation is one of the […]
What Are the Signs of Rust Inside a Breaker Box? Rust inside a breaker box indicates moisture intrusion — and moisture in an electrical panel is a serious hazard. Rust on breakers, bus bars, or the panel enclosure means water has been present, and water in a panel creates corrosion, arc paths, and the risk […]
What Are the Signs of an Impending Electrical Fire? Electrical fires rarely start without warning. Most are preceded by detectable symptoms that indicate a failing connection, overloaded circuit, or damaged wiring. Recognizing these warning signs and acting on them before a fire starts is the difference between a service call and a house fire. Warning […]
Is It Safe to Use Water Around Electrical Outlets? Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Water is a conductor — not as efficient as copper, but effective enough to carry voltage across wet surfaces, through the body, or between an energized outlet and a grounded surface. Using water near electrical outlets creates shock and […]
Is It Safe to Live in a House with Old Wiring? The safety of a house with old wiring depends on what type of wiring is present, its condition, and whether it has been properly maintained. Some older wiring types present significant fire and shock hazards; others remain safe if undamaged and not overloaded. Common […]
