An electrical panel is the nerve center of a home’s electrical system that distributes power throughout the residence. Homeowners need to be well aware of their home’s electrical panel, as an outdated or malfunctioning panel can pose serious safety hazards.
Furthermore, knowing when it’s time for a replacement can save you from inconvenient outages and, more importantly, serious hazards such as electrical fires. At Robinhood Electrical LLC, we focus on providing electrical panel replacement services to ensure the efficiency of your home. In this blog, we will get into the signs indicating it’s time to consider replacing your electrical panel.
Evaluate Whether It’s Time for a New Breaker Board
Electrical panels last up to 40 years; it is a type of investment that will benefit you for a long time. However, the process of electrical panel replacement is not as simple as it may seem to many; however, the results are worthwhile in the following circumstances.
Constantly Resetting The Breakers
Every circuit is controlled through the breaker switch that trips when there is a power surge, faulty wiring, having too many appliances plugged or voltage is too high. These circumstances can trip a breaker. Fortunately, you can easily rest it. But if the same breaker trips repeatedly, then it means that your electrical panel may be faulty or outdated, and it needs to a replaced.
Signs of Electrical Trouble
Lights may dim or flicker when appliances are turned on. This happens when you have an outdated panel, and it is one of the Signs of a bad electrical panel. Adding a new circuit to the electrical panel may fix this issue, unless it exceeds the panel’s rated capacity. If you discover sparks when you plug a device into an outlet, this is a signal of an outdated electrical panel.
Panel Overheating Or Emission Of A Burning Smell
A circuit breaker trips when it starts to overheat. If it feels warm or hot, or if you can sense the heat through the electrical panel, the whole unit could be failing. Call a professional to determine if you need an electrical panel replacement.
Damage To The Electrical Panel
When you open the service panel door, it should be clean and intact. If you see anything cracked, broken, or rusted, or if there are signs of water damage, call for help. These issues indicate a fire hazard.
Too Many Power Strips
Fewer outlets mean that your electrical panel cannot handle additional load. Using power strips to compensate for the outlets increases their demand to an unsafe level, which may lead to a spark or the stripping of the breaker, which is another sign of an electrical panel upgrade.
More Circuit Breakers Are Required
If you want to add a new appliance or dedicate the outlet to one, you may need to add breakers. Whether this is possible depends on the existing panel’s capacity and whether there are open slots available.
Identify The Type Of Electrical Panel You Need
The breaker panel you choose must meet the needs of your home and follow local electrical codes. They may look similar, but each has a different purpose and application. The following are the most common types of residential electrical panels:
Main Breaker Panel
Main breaker panels hold all the circuit breakers for your electrical system. They also have a bigger two-pole circuit breaker. It controls the amount of electricity coming in from outside. Main panels must meet certain requirements. They need to be within 10 feet of the meter and feeder cable.
Main Lug Panels
An electrician connects a main lug panel to a separate disconnect at the electrical meter, rather than using a main breaker. Firefighters can use it to cut power without gaining access to your home. The lug is the line wire that runs between the panel and the connector.
Sub-Panels
The function of the subpanel is to draw electricity from the main panel, and it needs its own circuit. They do not disconnect; however, its unit contains separate circuit breakers for areas such as a workshop, garage, room addition, home office, or greenhouse.
Transfers Switches
These transfer switches are a type of sub-panel and change the power from a portable generator into electricity for the breaker panel. Then, the panel shares it. It is often connected to a permanent backup power generator. This generator runs on natural gas or another source. It provides electricity during an outage.
Conclusion
It is necessary to keep an eye on your home’s electrical panel and look for signs of a bad electrical panel. Furthermore, when you decide to get an electrical panel replacement, it is necessary to hire a fully trained and experienced professional with the latest technologies.
By choosing Robinhood Electrical LLC as your residential electrical service provider, we ensure Home Electrical Safety and resolve all circuit breaker issues. A new electrical panel that provides more power and increases home safety. If you want to get the best commercial and residential Electrical panel replacement, then get in touch with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be replaced?
Signs that indicate it may be time to replace your electrical panel include frequently tripping breakers, flickering lights, overheating or burning smells, visible damage or rust, and an increased reliance on power strips.
What are the dangers of using an outdated or faulty electrical panel?
An outdated panel can lead to serious safety hazards such as electrical fires, power surges, or inefficient power distribution.
What type of electrical panel is best for my home?
It depends on your specific power needs. Common types include main breaker panels, main lug panels, sub-panels, and transfer switches.
Can I add more circuit breakers to my existing panel?
Yes, but only if your current panel has available slots and enough capacity. If not, you may need to upgrade to a larger panel or install a sub-panel to accommodate additional circuits.
Why should I choose a professional for electrical panel replacement?
Electrical panel replacement involves complex wiring, strict code compliance, and safety considerations. Robinhood Electrical LLC ensures the task is done correctly, safely, and efficiently using the latest technology.
