The electrical panel, a grey box fixed on the wall, is a crucial component of your home’s electrical system. It is typically found in the basement of many homes and contains switches called breakers behind a small door on the front. Homeowners often need to pay more attention to their electric panels when facing electrical system problems. Therefore, knowing the following three common signs that indicate your electric panels need upgrading is essential.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers protect your home from electrical hazards and are designed to trip or shut off automatically when they detect an inconsistency or overload in the electrical flow. Using numerous appliances simultaneously can pose a safety risk and cause the circuit breaker to trip. Therefore, ensuring your electric panels are in good working condition is essential to avoiding potential dangers and keeping your home safe.
Aging Properties
It’s common for homeowners to reside in older homes that may have outdated electrical systems. If you live in an older home, chances are you have an older electrical panel that might need to be improved for your current energy needs. In the past, a basic 60-amp panel was enough to power an entire home. Still, with the increasing number of electronic devices in use today, the electricity demand has significantly increased. As a result, most modern homes require an electrical panel with a 100-200 amps capacity to meet modern households’ energy requirements.
Aging Electrical System
It is highly recommended that the electrical panels in homes built 40-50 years ago be upgraded. Most electrical panels used fuse systems rather than circuit breakers during that era. However, several of these fuse systems were highly hazardous. When the fuses got overloaded, they would blow, melt, or short-circuit instead of just tripping like circuit breakers, leading to significant damage and often causing fires. Hence, upgrading to a more modern and safer electrical panel is advisable.
For ALL of Your Residential or Commercial Electrical Needs, Call TriStar Electric!
No matter the job, big or small, the professionals at TriStar Electric will be happy to discuss your project and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer free in-home consultations, plus an after-hours and emergency phone line for advice or service!
If you have any questions about our electrical repairs or upgrades, please contact TriStar Electric, Maryland’s’ premier residential and commercial electrician, by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880. Or, you can fill out the contact form on our website.
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