What Is Low-Voltage Wiring? Here’s What You Need to Know

If your electrical systems aren’t delivering, Gabe’s Electrical Services can help. Call us today to find out more!

What is low-voltage wiring doing for your home’s electrical systems? In a world where almost every aspect of life relies on electricity, understanding how these systems work seems essential. After all, there are countless items that can use low-voltage wiring, from the alarm system that keeps your family safe to the television that helps you relax after a big day.

Read on to learn more about how low-voltage wiring works from Gabe’s Electrical Services, an experienced electrician in Newtown, CT. The team specializes in low-voltage wiring and other structured cabling tasks, plus everything else your home’s electrical systems may need.

What Is Low-Voltage Wiring?

As the name implies, low-voltage wiring carries power of less than 50 volts from your power source to various appliances and fixtures around the home. Standard electrical wiring carries 120 volts. With low-voltage wiring, common measures include 12 volts, 24 volts, and 48 volts. 

The electrical experts will use standard wiring in several places around the home, including to power your outlets. However, most homeowners will find that low-voltage wiring also occupies many spots around the home for various reasons.

Installing low-voltage wiring can be more complex than placing high-voltage wiring. In fact, electricians require more specialized training to install low-voltage wiring, as the necessary equipment for the job is intricate and fragile. Without advanced expertise, a technician can mishandle and damage this costly equipment, injure themselves, or cause damage to your home.

Proper installation of your low-voltage wiring ensures it will work well and serve your home. Your family’s safety and happiness are a top priority, and reliable electricians will need to use a skilled hand and attention to detail when installing this type of wiring. There’s little room for error.

How Do You Use Low-Voltage Wiring in Your Home?

What is low-voltage wiring used for? This type of wiring has a wide variety of uses in both residential and commercial properties. 

The following are just some of the most common low-voltage wiring points you might come across:

• Security systems
• Home automation systems
• Lighting around your landscape
• Thermostats
• Entertainment, television, and audio systems
• Certain types of interior lighting
• Doorbells
• Garage door opener
• Network cables
• Telephone lines

These devices don’t require the higher voltage that standard wiring offers. Internet networks, Wi-Fi, and LED lighting also use low-voltage wiring.

How Do Experts Install Low-Voltage Wiring Safely?

Properly installing low-voltage wiring requires a careful and gentle hand. You want a high-quality team of electricians to install this type of wiring to ensure that everything runs correctly and you aren’t left with widespread electrical failure.

Technicians like those at Gabe’s Electrical Services usually install the main electrical system before placing low-voltage wiring. Then, the installation of a new structured cabling system (like low-voltage wiring) abides by the following factors:

• Airflow or cooling issues
• The type of cabling
• Cabling patch ways

The types of low-voltage wiring depends on your property’s unique needs. For example, residential properties will normally use coaxial cable. However, specific systems like home audio systems will call for unique wiring (in this case, speaker wires).

Is Low-Voltage Wiring Less Risky?

You may reasonably assume that low-voltage wiring isn’t risky because of its decreased voltage level, but this is not the case. Any type of electrical wiring can be a safety hazard, especially with faulty installation. That’s why experts approach low-voltage wiring with the same caution as high-voltage wiring, following standard protocols to ensure a safe installation.

It’s important to remember that keeping your loved ones safe from electrical dangers extends past the installation process. Experts like Gabe’s Electrical Services will always advise homeowners and their families to practice the following tips near an electrical cable:

• Inspect all electronics and wiring for damage before use.
• Keep the area around electronics and wiring clean and free of clutter.
• Never work or play around with electronics and electrical wiring when wet.
• Leave electrical repairs or replacements to trained professionals.

Remember, any issues with high or low-voltage wiring and electrical appliances require quick repairs from a trained and experienced professional. Tampering with these things is incredibly dangerous and can result in serious injuries or worse if things go wrong.

Your Trusted Electricians in Newtown, Connecticut

What is low-voltage wiring going to cost? Find out more from Gabe’s Electrical Services, the local team that can address all your electrical concerns and get your home’s systems back on track. To install new low-voltage wiring or another electrical system in your home, contact us at 203–457-6308.