The electrical system in your home has many accessories that ensure your home is well-supplied with electricity. These accessories include sockets, switches, electrical panels, circuit breakers, and more. Each serves a purpose.
This article focuses on electrical panels. Electrical panels are also commonly known as distribution boards. These are box-like structures that hold various electrical components, such as the circuit breaker, surge arrester, and terminal block.
For this whole unit to serve you efficiently, it needs to be in top-notch condition. However, like any other tool, it might cease to function well due to various reasons. In some cases, replacement rather than repair is needed, depending on the extent of the issue. This begs the question: How will you know it’s time you change your home’s electrical panel? Worry not; this article discusses some of the signs to look out for.
It’s time to replace your electrical panel if:
- It Is Burnt
A burnt electrical panel presents itself in various ways. It doesn’t necessarily have to be up in flames to be burnt. Instead, look out for a burning smell on or around it. The smell should be like that of burning plastic. This indicates that the wiring’s casing is burning or burnt. Alternatively, you should be able to see a burnt spot or stain on the box.
A burnt electrical panel is dangerous if you don’t attend to the issue; it could cause a fire breakout, destroying your property. In most cases, the remedy for a burnt electrical panel is replacement. Therefore, see for electrician light installation services to replace it as soon as you see any of the signs highlighted.
- You Want To Add A New Appliance
This mainly applies if you’re looking to add a large appliance. In most cases, adding a small appliance doesn’t impact your electrical panel as it doesn’t require much energy to run. Therefore, there’s no need to change your electrical panel.
However, you have to replace your panel if you add a big appliance, such as a washing machine. Otherwise, the existing panel won’t have the capacity to power the appliances, which means you won’t get to enjoy your investment. On the other hand, it can lead to your breaker tripping, and you still won’t end up using your appliance. It’d help to replace the electrical panel with one that can power the new tool.
- Frequent Breaker Trips
Breakers in the electrical panel aim to protect your electrical system should there be a sudden surge in electricity. They’ll do this by cutting off the power supply from the main electricity supply. Breaker trips are beneficial until they start tripping too often. With frequent tripping, you won’t manage to utilise your home appliances as power will keep coming up and going off. In extreme cases, your appliances can get damaged in the process.
Therefore, if this is your everyday life, it’s time you replace your electrical panel.
- Flickering Lights
Electrical power lights up your bulbs; should there be an insufficient power supply, they won’t light up. Therefore, should your lights flicker every time you switch them on, there’s an issue with your electrical panel. The flickering can be continuous or can happen once before returning to normalcy.
Suppose your lights are working well. You then decide to utilise a certain appliance and plug it in; if your bulbs flicker because of this, there’s an issue with your electrical panel, not with the bulbs themselves.
The solution in both situations is to get an electrical panel with the capacity to meet your electrical needs without affecting the functioning of any appliances.
- It Is Too Old
Like any other equipment, an electrical panel has its lifespan, beyond which it’ll start developing issues. For most panels, their lifespan ranges from 25 to 35 years. If you’ve been utilising your panel for more than two decades, it’s time for you to consider replacing the panel.
If you aren’t sure if you should change the panel or not, call in an electrician to inspect it. The professional will see potential issues that’d hinder your use of the panel.
Suppose changing the panel isn’t in your budget; the electrician can give you a timeframe within which you can still utilise the system without issues. You can plan and prepare for the change during this timeframe as you eventually have to do it.
Conclusion
A malfunctioning electrical panel can lead to many inconveniences in your home, including damaging your hard-earned electrical appliances. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. This article has discussed ways in which you can tell if there’s something wrong with your electrical panel. Consider implementing the tips above to prevent electrical inconveniences.
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