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Three Ways To Tell If Your Electrical Panel Needs To Be Repaired Or Replaced

Posted on April 18, 2023 by

Signs a Home’s Electrical Panel Needs Professional Attention

A home’s electrical panel is essentially the control center for the entire electrical system. It houses all of the home’s breakers, which send or shut off power to all of the individual circuits throughout the house (hence why it’s often referred to as the breaker box). So if something goes wrong with the electrical panel, it can cause problems that affect every part of the electrical system. Some of these problems can be extremely dangerous, potentially resulting in fires, electric shock, or damage to electronics and appliances.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always obvious when an electrical panel has an issue, which means hazardous conditions may develop without the homeowners even realizing it. So to help homeowners spot signs of trouble as early as possible, here are three of the most common symptoms of a faulty breaker box.

Dim or Flickering Lights

lightThe first sign to watch out for is lights that flicker or go dimmer than usual. In some cases, this may indicate the bulb is loose, faulty, or nearing the end of its life. Suppose it only happens when other appliances are turned on (microwaves, toaster ovens, laundry machines) or automatically cycle on (refrigerators and HVAC systems, for example). In that case, it likely means that a circuit is being overloaded - which is a dangerous problem in its own right.

But if lights are flickering in the house regularly, it could point to an issue with the breaker panel, be it an individual breaker or the panel as a whole. Flickering lights usually occur when faulty wiring or the panel isn’t supplying the correct voltage to the affected circuits. In either case, calling a professional to diagnose the issue is best.

Burning Smell Coming From the Breaker Box

While various problems can cause a flickering light bulb and may not point to an electrical panel issue, other signs of trouble are pretty unmistakable - such as burning smells or smoke from the electrical panel itself. This can occur if a circuit overloads and becomes excessively hot or a loose or faulty wire is arcing (when an electrical current jumps a gap between two conductive points). 

Other evidence of this kind of issue includes scorch marks or melted components on the breaker panel, crackling or hissing sounds coming from the panel, or if the panel is warm to the touch. Suppose homeowners smell something burning near their breaker panel or notice other warning signs in this section. In that case, they should call a reliable electrician immediately for electrical panel repair, as these issues pose a serious fire hazard that demands urgent action.

Old or Outdated Electrical Panel

panelAnother reason it might be a good idea to replace the electrical panel is if it is over 25 years old. Most electrical panels last about 20-30 years, which is a long time for home electrical equipment. In this age range, breaker boxes tend to start succumbing to wear & tear and experiencing issues, so it’s good practice (and safer) to replace them before that happens.

But even if they seem to be holding up just fine, many older electrical panels aren’t designed to handle the higher amperage that today’s average home requires. And if the electrical panel is old enough that it still uses fuses rather than breakers, an electrical panel upgrade is especially urgent - fuses have largely been phased out due to their higher risk of causing fires.

If homeowners are unsure of their electrical panel’s age or whether it’s in good condition, they would do well to schedule an electrical inspection with their trusted local electrician!

About All Services

The experts at All Services have been handling Crown Point’s electrical and HVAC needs for over 25 years. Their licensed, insured, drug-tested, and background-checked technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks and prioritize every customer's safety and comfort. All Services offer competitive flat-rate pricing, 24-hour emergency support, and a money-saving membership program - so don’t hesitate to call them for electrical panel replacement and repair in Crown Point, IN!

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