Low Voltage vs. High Voltage Wiring: Powering Your Home

The wiring working to bring you ease and comfort in your Clayton, MO home

There are wires throughout your home that power your outlets, lights, and appliances, bringing comfort and convenience. However, wiring can be one of the trickiest parts of building or renovating a home. Not only are they complicated, but wiring can be dangerous as well if you aren’t sure what you are doing. For homeowners looking to do construction on their home or who want to understand more about home wiring, you should understand the two main wires used to power your home: low and high-voltage wiring.

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High Voltage Wiring

High voltage wiring is 1,500 volts for direct current circuits and 1,000 volts for alternating current circuits. Basically, high voltage wiring carries high enough voltages to cause severe bodily harm. They are typically very thick since they need layers of insulation to protect those who work with them.

The cables in overhead power lines are high voltage wires that transmit high voltage electrical currents to deliver electricity to residential homes and commercial properties. Though they are more dangerous than low voltage wiring, it is cheaper to use high voltage wiring because it can carry more electrical currents. It would take many low-voltage wires to do the work of one high-voltage wire.

Breaker Box

High voltage cables carry electricity from your electric provider into your home's breaker box. The breaker box takes the electricity from the high voltage cables and safely redistributes it throughout your home. The main function of the breaker box is to make the electricity safe to travel on the low voltage wires in your home. If one circuit gets unsafely overwhelmed with electrical currents, it will automatically shut off. This safety function is why the power shuts off, and you have to reset the breaker box if you have too many appliances plugged into one room.

Low Voltage Wiring 

The wiring that runs through the walls of your home is low voltage wires. Though not as powerful as high voltage wiring, they are safer to handle and have inside. They carry electrical currents that the high voltage wiring brings to the breaker box to various places throughout your home. They light your home and power outlets so you can plug in and use your favorite devices.

High voltage and low voltage wiring work together to ensure that your home has the power needed to provide you the comfort you need in your home. Therefore, it’s important to understand the different types of wiring and their functions, especially when considering building or renovating a home.

If you need any electrical work done in your Clayton, MO, home, contact us at Walbrandt Electric. Our professionals are guaranteed to provide the electrical expertise you need to create your dream home.