Sumter, SC Electrical Panel Installation Services
Your electrical panel routes electricity from the electric company’s power line throughout your home and control the supply of energy to each circuit. When you have an issue with a panel, multiple systems throughout your home can be affected. If you find that you have to reset tripped breakers or you have some outlets that are not working, it’s probably time to call in a professional. Electricians know how to diagnose and repair panel issues and get your home’s electrical system working properly again.
The panels are typically found in an area of the home outside like a garage. In case of emergency, such panels can be easily accessed, and the homeowner should be familiar with its basic functions. There are certain brands of panels that are no longer safe for use, as well as old panels. If you are not sure on how old the panel that you have is, then you can have an electrical safety inspection scheduled.
When should you replace your electrical panel?
Breakers are designed to regulate the amount of electricity flowing into a circuit. If a circuit is overloaded, the breaker will trip and the flow of electricity will be shut off. Residents with multiple appliances running simultaneously in the same circuit are likely to experience this. To be able to fix this all you would need to do is to unplug all the appliances plugged into it and reset the breaker.
Nonetheless, if this is happening regularly, you may need professional service to help replace your old panel with a new one that will provide sufficient power for your home to meet all its needs. Of course, if it’s just one breaker that keeps tripping even if the system is not overloaded, it’s probably the breaker and replacing it will solve the issue.
If you’ve had to replace several circuit breakers recently, your electrical panel may need to be replaced soon. If you purchased your home recently and don’t know how old the electrical panel is, seeing breakers of different brands or colors is a tip-off that the previous owner replaced multiple breakers.
An electrician must be present whenever you replace an old electrical appliance with something new so that this professional can inspect the compatibility of the new device. This is important especially if your new appliance takes up more power to operate than the previous one. If your panel will not be able to support the electrical needs of the new appliance then it needs to be replaced as well.
In newer homes, the electrical panel is equipped with AFCI outlets as protection against electrical arcing, which is a common cause of electrical fires. Any panel installed before 1999 is likely not to have this particular safety feature. Your house is prone to risk if AFCI installations are not inside your home at the panel or the circuit.
A professional can inspect and assess the vulnerability posed in your panel and outlets. If your panel has no other problems, it may be more cost-effective to mount AFCI outlets at the end of each circuit than replace the entire panel.
Erosion and rusting anywhere around the panel would warrant an urgent replacement. There could be power surges or even a fire if your electrical panel is old and worn.
Other signs that your panel needs replacing include:
- panel is warm or hot to the touch
- melted electrical wires
- popping or other noises coming from the breaker box
- burning smell coming from panel
- burn marks on panel or outlets
- hissing
- lights flickering when appliances are in use
- appliances overheating quickly when plugged in
If there’s anything unusual going on with the electricity in your home, it’s time to contact a professional. If a circuit if overloaded, it could “fry” anything that’s plugged into it: phones, computers, electronics, etc. Disregarding indications of a flawed board can be expensive, just as dangerous. A faulty electrical panel can cause a fire and electrocute someone.
Electrical panels should last a fairly long time but will eventually be degraded by wear and tear. Electrical wires experience fraying, and leaks can develop in their insulation. Rodents love to chew on electrical wires, which can disrupt your home’s power supply. Regardless of the issue you’re experiencing, an electrician will be able to take a look at it and let you know what needs to be done.
You may need to replace the entire unit or it might be as simple as replacing a wire. If such is the case then the electrician can explain to you about the new panels that are available.
In order for your family and appliances to be safe then you need a professional to check on your home’s panel. Electrical panel work should only be done by a professional electrician. Homeowners that have no experience in dealing with electric work are at risk of injury. Electricians are skilled in electrical work of all kinds and can provide your home with quick and reliable electrical service.