Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
Day after day, your electrical panel provides your home with a consistent power source. It’s the key tool for carrying power to outlets, appliances, and lights. However, over time, it can be easy to forget to inspect your panel regularly.
An old, worn-down electrical panel puts your home at risk of electrical failures and potential fire hazards. Because old electrical panels pose a series of risks, it’s critical to keep an eye out for the signs that your panel is due for an upgrade. When your electrical panel is due for an upgrade, don’t attempt to handle the project yourself. Leave your worries to the professionals and schedule panel upgrades with trained electricians.
At SoCal Electrical & Lighting, we’re always ready to help you safely install a new panel capable of enhancing your home’s safety.
Dim and Flickering Lights
Poor lighting can drastically affect your day-to-day life at home. Flickering and dimming lights aren’t only distracting, but they can also make it difficult to see while doing just about anything at your home. If your lights have started to flicker and dim, it could indicate an issue with your electrical panel.
Because older panels cannot sufficiently power all of your home’s lights, it’s usually a good idea to schedule a replacement service as soon as possible.
Outdated Wiring
Many older homes are still equipped with outdated electrical wiring systems. Back then, these systems didn’t have to power the modern-day devices and appliances that homeowners have today.
Because of this, old wiring cannot correctly power all of these items. Not only can these old systems cause your appliances to fail, but they can also put your home at risk of electrical fires.
If your wiring hasn’t been inspected or replaced since your home was built, you may consider contacting a professional electrician. A trained professional will be able to inspect your electrical system and determine if you need an upgrade.
Burning Odor
If you ever notice a burning or melting odor coming from your electrical panel, you should contact a professional electrician as quickly as possible. Burning odors typically indicate a severe issue with your system and may result in a fire if left unattended. Don’t wait around to see what happens. Take action right away.
Frequent Circuit Breaking
Circuit breakers are essential for protecting your home from an electrical fire as they detect and interrupt overloaded circuits. However, if you constantly reset your circuit breakers, your electrical panel will likely need an upgrade. Save yourself the trouble of tending to your panel. Get the replacement you need as soon as possible.
Your Electrical Panel Is Emitting Heat
Place your hand over the outside panel to check whether it feels warm. Unlike other electrical appliances, an electrical panel should not feel warm when used.
So, if your panel is emitting any heat, this is a sign that it’s either malfunctioning or can not carry the electrical usage of your home. Additionally, there may also be a burning odor, which could be a sign of bad wiring.
If you notice any heat or smell coming from your electrical panel, you should immediately call a professional to get it checked out.
You Have an Outdated Panel
If you just moved into an old home, there's a good chance that the electrical panels in the house are outdated. So before putting any load on your electrical panel, you should consult a professional electrician to have a look around.
If Your Breaker Box Is Producing Sounds
A breaker box usually makes a buzzing sound that is considered normal. However, it may be a concern if you start hearing popping and cracking sounds coming from your breaker box.
These odd sounds could be signaling toward arching, which would need to be checked and serviced by qualified electricians.
Your Breaker Trips Often
Breakers may trip for several reasons, including faulty wires, issues with your electrical panel, or a bad breaker.
However, if there aren't any issues with your electrical wires and the breaker is still tripping, your electrical panels are likely at fault. Burn marks or rust on your breaker are also signs of faulty electrical panels.
Contact Your Trusted Team of Trained Electricians
SoCal Electrical & Lighting is ready to provide you with the electrical panel upgrade you need to enhance your home’s comfort and safety. We’ll take the time to thoroughly inspect your electrical system to get the solutions you need. To schedule a service with our five-star team, contact SoCal today at 760-699-2686.