When living in a mobile home, it is essential to make use of what little space the property offers. Each nook and cranny should be properly utilized in order to maximize your investment. More often than not, mobile homes are designed with crawl spaces underneath the structure. This is the most ideal spot to keep all your electrical wiring so that these won’t interfere with day-to-day life and boost overall safety within your home.
While storing your electrical system underneath is the best option, it does require a tactful method to pull off.
Below, we discuss all the basics that each homeowner needs to know about mobile home electrical systems, common electrical problems you may run into, how you can run an electrical wire in your mobile home, and also a few important details to take into consideration.
Manufactured and Mobile Home Electrical Basics
The basics of your mobile home’s electrical system can be summarized into 7 points, namely:
HUD Standards. The electrical systems in mobile homes today are all designed to be up to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code. Because the concept of having manufactured homes also entails gaining access to affordable luxury, all the parts chosen within the system are often the cheapest that still meet the HUD requirements and quality standards.
Locate The Problem By Finding Areas Without Issues. One strategy that can be very helpful when locating your electrical wires and/ or troubleshooting any issues is by finding a spot that has no problem at all.
From there, continue to split the distance between the point without a problem, and the point with the issue. This is a very thorough approach that works like a charm each time. However, in order to achieve this, you must first have a good picture of how the wiring is structured within your mobile home.
Safety First. No matter the kind of electrical problem – big or small, always take safety precautions. You can do so by turning off breakers to the areas you are working on, using an outlet tester before working on the wires and wearing proper gloves and equipment to conduct safe work.
Aim For Daylight. When natural light is at your disposal, you can have a much easier time looking at what you are working at. Moreover, it gives you enough time to finish the job safely and efficiently. With daylight, you lessen the need for multiple flashlights, extension cords, ladders, tools, and the like.
Double Check The Conductor. Most especially when you are installing a new switch, ensure that you are working on the proper conductor. It can be very hazardous to accidentally install a light fixture with a switch on the neutral wire.
Replacing Parts Is Simple. Many may feel overwhelmed when having to replace an area with multiple parts. However, it is simply remembering to lay them out in an organized manner while disassembling and then putting them back the way you found them.
Wire Colors Count. When adding new equipment, the electrical end may be a bit of a challenge. To prevent accidents, be very mindful of any wires that are not white, gray, or green.
Common Electrical Problems in Mobile Homes:
Mobile home wiring can be pretty straightforward and simple to maintain. However, it is still fairly susceptible to common electrical problems. We recommend reaching out to a mobile home electrician to sort these out, or fix the issue on your own if you have ample experience and the right protective gear with you.
The most common mobile home electricity problems include:
Power Surges
Mobile homes are often built to be energy-efficient. However, some would rather include a combination of both solar panels and electricity to have an ample supply of power. Because of this, many still often experience power surges, especially during heavy rains, lightning, and other extreme weather conditions.
Moreover, power surges can happen if you accidentally connect faulty appliances to the socket. Multiple surges can eventually blow out your fuse and damage other appliances, as well as your main panel.
To prevent this from happening, do the following:
- Invest only in quality appliances
- Install power surge protectors
- If you observe flickering lights or buzzing sounds by the sockets, unplug your electronics and appliances as this usually signifies a surge underway.
Powerless Sockets
A lot of new mobile homes may have sockets without any power yet. It is important to remedy this in order to maximize your home’s features and add to its convenience. Luckily, powerless sockets are fairly easy to fix, even without a mobile home electrician to sort them out.
To fix the issue, do the following:
- Locate your breaker box
- Push the handle in the OFF direction
- Wait a few seconds, then switch it back on
- This efficiently resets your breakers and should give power to all your mobile home sockets.
Loose Sockets
It can be very difficult to plug and unplug your devices in a socket that is not securely mounted on the wall. This also often leads to a short circuit, eventually damaging your electronics and appliances the more they come in contact with it.
To fix this issue, you won’t need a mobile home electrician. Following these steps should suffice:
- Switch off the electricity via the main switch in your home
- With a screwdriver, unfasten the outlet cover that is loose
- Replace it with a new cover, which should be readily available at any hardware store.
- Ensure that you screw it on tight and secure.
Flickering Lights
Flickering lights is a sign of faulty mobile home wiring, high or low bulb wattage, circuit overload, or a faulty bulb in use. This is a prevalent issue across all kinds of homes but is fairly easy to remedy.
Try these tips to stop your lights from flickering:
- Tighten the bulb in the socket, it may just be a case of a loose bulb.
- If that does not fix it, try replacing the bulb with a new one.
- If the flickering persists, this is most likely a power voltage issue and you will need to contact the power company to fix it.
Incorrect Bulb Wattage
As mentioned above, high or low bulb wattage can cause a few issues. High-wattage power supply can lead to the overheating of fixtures that can melt the bulb’s socket and cause it to explode. This situation can also cause the insulation on the mobile home wiring to melt, or worse, catch on fire.
To prevent this from happening, take the following steps:
- Once you notice the lights either flickering or being extra bright, there is most likely an imbalance of power supply.
- Switch off the power supply using the main switch in your home.
- Check the wattage on the bulbs and make sure they don’t require a high wattage to function.
Few Sockets
Mobile homes have limited space, and therefore a smaller number of sockets compared to a site-built, permanent home. Because there will only be a few sockets, they will mostly be overloaded.
To prevent any short-circuiting, follow these tips:
- Do not plug in multiple devices simultaneously.
- Do not use heavy-duty appliances all at once
- Use a heavy-duty extension cord
- Consider installing more extensions, if a mobile home electrician deems it safe enough.
Loose and Exposed Wires
Loose and exposed wires are eyesores, trip hazards, and overall dangerous to kids, pets, and even adults as they can lead to electrocution.
To prevent injuries, fires, and other accidents, follow these tips:
- Inspect the mobile home for any loose or exposed wires regularly
- If you find any, utilize electrical tape to bind them
- Ensure that your mobile home wiring is hidden within the home using plastic raceways.
Circuit Overload
With fewer sockets in your mobile home, your circuit breaker is at a much higher risk of tripping due to being overloaded.
To remedy this, the solution is similar to that of addressing too few sockets:
- Do not use or plug in multiple devices simultaneously, especially if they are heavy-duty appliances and electronics.
- Unplug any device that is not currently in use to prevent power.
- Make use of a heavy-duty extension cord
- Ask your local mobile home electrician if they recommend installing more extensions or sockets within your home.
How to run electrical wire in a mobile home?
Before starting to run your mobile home wiring through the property, first ensure that your home has a crawl space under it. Once you have located this, follow the guideline below for a safe and speedy process:
Step 1: Determine the route for the wiring
First things first. Decide the path you want to lay your wiring out. This will make it much easier for you to know your next steps and better visualize the outcome.
Apart from your personal preferences, both the layout of your mobile home and where your multiple electrical outlets are located will determine what the best route is.
Step 2: Excavate a trench along the chosen route
Once you have the route in mind, start excavating a trench that is at least 6 inches deep. We recommend using a shovel or a post-hole digger for a smooth process. Should the ground be rocky and hard, we suggest descending a few feet.
If your trench is completed, start laying out the conduit and wire. Should this pose a challenge, it is always best to outsource an experienced professional.
Step 3: Install the conduit in the trench
Position the PVC conduit within your trench as this is where your wires will run through. While some may bury the wire directly without a conduit, we find that it is extremely important to have the PVC conduit for extra wire protection. Having this layer can prevent issues occurring from exposure to water, gas, oil, or pests.
Step 4: Pull the wire through the conduit
Once the PVC conduit has been installed, pull the wire through it and then settle the whole piece below. Cover the piece with dirt, and repeat the process for each location where you require a power supply. This also makes it easier to lay down concrete or asphalt when things are in place.
And you’re done!
Bonus Step 5: Go for Surface Wiring
In the event that you cannot find a suitable area to secure your mobile home wiring, run the wires outside and simply plug everything into an electric box. This is extra convenient because you can manage the power distribution (both in direction and volume). Moreover, you can also troubleshoot issues easily since it can be easier to observe and prevent dangers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of wiring is used in mobile homes?
Until the year 1971, mobile homes came with aluminum wiring since it was much more affordable. While this is still present in older models, modern mobile homes now come with more efficient copper wiring. Copper is far superior in terms of conductivity, reliability, strength, and lifespan.
How does wiring run in a mobile home?
There are different ways to run wires throughout your mobile home and they mainly depend on:
- Personal preferences
- Layout of the mobile home
- Where the power supply is needed throughout the property
Why do mobile homes have 4 wires?
A mobile home needs a total of four conductors – two ungrounded conductors or hot wires, one grounded conductor or neutral wire, and one ground wire.
The reason for this is for homeowners to have access to an increased power supply without triggering breakers regularly. It also heightens the safety of the entire electrical system.
How many amps are needed for a mobile home?
Modern mobile homes are now required to have a 200 amp four-wire electrical system installed.
You’re All Set!
Mobile home living has its advantages. Not only is it easier to travel around, but there is much less clutter in your day-to-day life as you are forced to live a minimalist lifestyle.
While there are many benefits, it does not exempt the homeowner from experiencing common electrical problems along the way. The guideline above should be able to help you learn the basics!
