Aluminum branch wiring
Used 1965–1973. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, loosening at connections and creating fire hazards. Identifiable by silver-colored conductor.
Knob-and-tube remnants
Pre-1950 wiring with ceramic insulators. Often abandoned but sometimes still energized in attics. Hazardous when buried in insulation.
Undersized panels
60- or 100-amp service is undersized for modern loads. Upgrades to 200-amp run $1,500–$3,500 in Plymouth.
Missing GFCI/AFCI protection
Modern code requires these in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, exteriors, and bedrooms. Older homes often lack them.
Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels
Known fire-hazard brands. Replacement strongly recommended.