Your home’s electrical panel is responsible for distributing the right amount of power to various spaces throughout your home. If you are in need of electrical panel upgrades, many essential features within your home might be compromised, as malfunctioning electrical panels can potentially lead to serious electrical problems or emergencies such as fires.
Electrical panels are essential in maintaining safety and comfort levels within your home; it can be difficult to determine when you are in need of electrical panel upgrades. Keep reading to learn a few tell-tale signs from our experts that your electrical panels might need some work.
Age
While it is normal for your electrical panels to begin showing signs of wear and tear over time, it is important to pay attention to the age of your home’s electrical panel, as they will eventually need to be upgraded. Many experts recommend upgrading or replacing your home’s electrical panels every 25-30 years, but this period of time can vary.
Burning Smells
One of the most common and easily identifiable ways to determine that your home is in need of electrical panel updates is experiencing a strange burning smell in your home. This can indicate that the plastic jacket covering an electrical wire is burning or that there is damage within the walls of your home. This can be serious, as it can lead to a fire in your home. If you smell burning coming from your electrical panel, act quickly and call an electrician ASAP.
Overheating
If your circuit breaker feels hot to the touch, this could be a sign that your electrical panels are in need of an upgrade. An overheated circuit breaker is typically a sign of a severe malfunction, so it is best to contact an electrician right away.
Frequent Sparks From Outlets
While it is sometimes no big deal to see small sparks when you plug something into an electrical outlet in your home, if this happens frequently or if the sparks have gotten increasingly bigger, this could be a sign that something is wrong with your home’s electrical panels.
Flickering Lights
If the lights in your home flicker (or even dim) when plugging in new appliances, it might be time to contact an electrician, as this is often an indicator that your home’s electrical panels are in need of an upgrade.
If you are experiencing any of these issues or more, contact an electrician as soon as possible to avoid additional complications or potential emergencies, such as a fire that could put your home and your family at risk.
Thanks to the experts at Oak Electric, performing maintenance or emergency repairs, such as upgrading your home’s electrical panels, has never been easier. Our experienced team of electricians is dedicated to keeping your home and your family safe by providing reliable, affordable, and timely electrical maintenance, upgrade, and repair services. Contact us today to learn more about upgrading your home’s electrical panels or get a free quote from a member of our team.