Very commonly taken for granted; is our electrical panel hidden away in a basement, garage or perhaps even laundry room. Truth be told, this panel plays a huge role in the electrical system throughout your home. Although panels typically don’t require as much maintenance as other electrical components, they still do require proper care and attention. In some cases, you may need to replace your electrical panel all together. Here’s what you need to know about your home’s electrical panel.

 

 The Heart of Your System

Your panel is the heart beat to your home’s entire electrical system. It is the central point where all of the wires  from outside your home meet the ones inside. This connection is also how your electrical service provider brings electricity to your home. Given the critical role of your panel it is crucial to ensure the electrical panel you have can handle the amount of electricity that you produce.

Are you due for an upgrade?

There are a few signs that may indicate that your panel is due for a professional inspection, at the very least, or perhaps a panel replacement.

  • Your home is more then 20 years old- Older homes typically only handle 60 amps. The average modern home has 100 to 200 amp panels. With higher than ever electrical needs, it is very important to have a panel that can handle all your needs.
  • Your Home has a fuse box-  Old fashioned panels with fuses are prone to burnout. These burnouts will lead to expensive replacements, it is best to upgrade to circuit breakers.
  • Your Electrical Panel is Warm- Just like any electrical device consistent warmth or heat is not a good sign. This could be an indication that your panel is overloaded, improperly installed, or defective.
  • Your Electrical Panel Stinks-  If you smell burning coming from your panel, call a licensed electrician in immediately. This could be the start of an electrical fire.
  • Your Panel keeps tripping- Constant tripping or crackling sounds is an indication that too many appliances are plugged into a circuit. In some cases, this just means the breaker will need to be replaced.
  • You are updating or adding appliances- Upgrading household appliances or adding a hot tub for example may also mean an upgrade to your panel. We highly recommend calling an electrician in before making the purchase.

In summary, electrical panels are arguably the most important component to your electrical system. It is extremely important they are operating to the best of their ability, not only to ensure convenience of everything working within your home but to also ensure the safety of you and your family.

If you feel your panel may need an inspection contact us https://prolineelectric.ca/contact/

 


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