If you are updating appliances in a home how far must you take the install electrically.

[Geoff23x]

With all the gfci requirements in New homes what is required in old homes with if you want to upgrade an appliance. I'm running into in rare cases 4-5k in upgrades to the electrical system to replace a dishwasher. I have heard if you touch it then you have to upgrade it. Example dishwasher fed from recept on counter top recept not gfci on federal pacific 200 amp panel with cloth aluminum branch circuits. The couple had inherited the house from their grandparents. Any advice will be welcomed.

 

[Little Bill]

Generally, if you're not extending or adding a circuit, you don't have to upgrade to AFCI. Adding a receptacle or outlet would trigger AFCI/GFCI if the area requires it. As far as the old panels, nothing is required. The wiring would just be if it was needing to be changed due to damage, such as missing insulation. You wouldn't necessarilly have to change it, could just be repaired. That would be on a case by case basis.

 

[Fred B]

Any connection to and splicing of the Aluminium wire would need to be listed for Al. Including wirenuts. The old Al wire had alot of failure related to corrosion and improper terminations. Alot of extra steps in properly preparing Al for termination is required to get a good termination on the old Al wire due to the corrosion issues of the old alloy. Not just simple cut/strip/terminate like might be used to with copper.

If there is evidence of improper connection to and splicing of the Al wire I would be recommending a search and correction of such issue as it does present a hazardous situation and warning of such conditions. A thermal camera is good for this.

The FP panel is usually an automatic trigger point for the insurance company for replacement, but not necessarily automatic hazard. I would highlight any deficiencies to the homeowner and avoid anything that would add to the circuit loads with the FP panel.

Replacing the individual appliance would only trigger for that individual limited work need to be made to be in compliance with current code including what was already said about AFCI/GFCI (NEC 210.8, 210.12) . Again if this has Al wire, devices would need to be listed for Al wire.