Do You Need Electrical Panel Repair or Replacement? Here’s How To Tell

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:41:23 +0000

An electrical panel, or a fuse box, controls the power supply and where the electricity goes in your home. While an electrical panel should last about twenty-five years, modern electricity needs are demanding more of power systems causing more wear and tear.

Are you wondering if your electrical panel needs repair or replacement? Here’s how to tell.

How Long Does an Electrical Panel Last?

Old electrical panels raise your risk of an electrical fire. They should last around 30-50 years, but as our electrical needs grow year over year, you may need to replace your panel.

We advise a regular inspection of your panel. This will ensure it is still working and is not a fire hazard.

5 Signs That Your Electrical Panel Needs a Repair or Replacement

There are a few signs that your electrical panel needs a repair or replacement. These include issues with your circuit breaker panel, flickering lights, old panels, and an electrical panel that is hot or smells odd.

Circuit Breaker Failure

A circuit breaker interrupts the electrical flow or breaks the circuit when it detects the electrical current is too strong.

However, a circuit breaker may fail. When this happens, it does not stop the electrical current’s flow when it is supposed to. Circuit breaker failure does not often require you to replace your electrical panel. Contact us so we can assess the situation and help keep you safe.

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

If your circuit breaker regularly trips, it may be an issue with the breaker, your home’s wiring, or the fuse box.

When your breaker trips, you can typically reset it to resolve the issue. If it trips often, it is a sign you need to get an inspection to determine what the problem is.

Our licensed electricians can check it out for you. Call now for an inspection!

Dimming or Flickering Lights

If your lights flicker or dim while an appliance is on, it is a sign that you do not have the amperage to match your electricity usage. If your appliances seem laggy, it may be time for a fuse box replacement.

Outdated Electrical Panel Design

Outdated electrical panels use fuses instead of circuit breakers, which are far less effective at protecting you and your house. A fuse can only stop an overload of electricity once because they typically melt to stop it.

Older homes had only 60 or 100 amperage, which is considerably less than a modern home is wired with. You need to replace the panel to upgrade from fuses to circuit breakers or to increase your power capacity.

Warm Electrical Panel or a Slight Burning Smell From It

If your fuse box is hot or has a burning smell, you likely have a serious problem at hand. These both indicate that something is burning inside. Charring is a sign of fire, and rust is a sign of water damage. These may both cause an odd burning smell.

If your electrical panel is hot when you touch it or if there is a burning smell, contact an electrical expert right away!

Electrical Panel Repair or Replacement? We Got You!

You may have a serious safety issue if your electrical panel isn’t in its best condition. Our experienced electricians will assess your situation to determine if you need to upgrade or repair your electrical panel.
For safe and dependable electrical services, trust the experts from US Electric and contact us today!

Electrical Hazards Every Richmond Homeowner Should Be Aware Of

Brad Ormsby — Tue, 17 May 2022 00:37:54 +0000

Your home needs electricity to function correctly, but some electrical hazards can cause fires and electrocution. Read on to learn how to recognize common electrical hazards to keep your family and home safe.

7 Most Common Electrical Hazards in Homes

There are several electrical hazards every homeowner should be aware of.

Frayed Electrical Cords and Wirings

If the protective insulation on wires wears away or frayed wires puncture through, it leaves wires exposed. Rats and mice can also damage the wiring in homes.

Damaged and outdated wiring will often overheat, melt and corrode, increasing the risk of fire.

Extension Cord Issues

Homeowners often make mistakes with extension cords and increase their risk of fire. Here are some things to avoid:

Never plug multiple extension cords into one another. This is called “daisy-chaining,” and it poses a fire risk.
Never use a power strip for an extension cord. Extension cords should only be plugged into a wall outlet or hard-wired power strip.
Never use extension cords that exceed the power needs of the appliances or equipment.
Don’t use indoor extension cords outside as they have no moisture protection.

Misused Power-Strips and Surge Protectors

Power strips and surge protectors are for small electronics such as cellphones, tablets, and computers, and they are not intended for electronics with high-power loads. Even small appliances can draw too much power for a power strip.

When too much power is drawn from power strips or surge protectors, it can start a fire. Don’t plug surge protectors into one another, and be sure to use power strips properly.

Outlet Overloads

If too many appliances are plugged into a single outlet, it can draw too much power. Plugging multiple power strips into one another can also overload an outlet.

Overloading an outlet’s capacity can cause a power surge or fire. If you consistently need to plug multiple items into one outlet, hire an electrician to install additional outlets.

Open Outlets and Appliances Too Close To Water

Open outlets in your home can lead to accidental electrocution. Children especially may reach into or stick something into an open outlet and get an electrical shock.

Since water conducts electricity, handling plugged-in appliances or light switches with wet hands is dangerous. Touching outlets and electrical appliances close to water also increases electrocution risk.

Old and Outdated Electrical Wiring

Outdated wiring can increase the risk of electrical fires. Examples of old wiring include:

Knob & Tube Wiring
Aluminum Wiring
Cloth Insulating Sleeves
Old Electrical Panels

A circuit breaker that continually trips, lights that frequently go dim or flicker, discolored switch plates, and outlets that are warm to the touch are some of the signs something is wrong with your wiring.

Overlamping

When you use a light bulb with a wattage too high for a fixture, it is called overlamping. The socket can get hot enough to melt and start a fire.

Always determine bulb wattage for any fixture.

Takeaway

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical arcing faults cause more than 30,000 home fires each year. Taking precautions can help avoid fire or costly repairs caused by an electrical surge or shortage.

If you’ve seen any signs of an electrical problem, contact the Richmond certified electricians from US Electric right away.

electrical hazards | US Electric