Blogs from June, 2021

A gray electrical panel with black circuit breaker switches labeled in marker
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When It’s Time for a Replacement

Your electrical panel is the centerpiece of your home’s electrical system. Whether a fuse box or circuit breaker, this device is the key to efficient and safe electrical power. Unfortunately, these panels don’t last forever and will eventually need to be replaced rather than just repaired.

Here are some signs your electrical panel is ready for a replacement.

Age

Electrical panels are tough and last a long time. You can usually get 25 years out of a well-functioning electrical panel. If your panel was already installed when you moved in, find out when it was installed and make a plan for when it hits 25 years of age.

After about 25 years (give or take a few), there is a higher chance that the panel will fail, which is a safety hazard.

Physical Symptoms

Any problems that you can see on your electrical panel should be dealt with immediately. A lot of power comes through the device and if issues are present, it could damage your home or start a fire.

Physical damage may include:

  • Rust.
  • Warm/hot to the touch.
  • Broken switches or fuses.
  • Strange noises.
  • Smells like burning.

Need More Capacity

Even if your panel is working correctly, you may need additional space for new breakers. If you’ve added sections of your home, bought newer appliances, or have increased your electricity use, your current panel may not be up to the task.

It’s not safe to overload your outlets, so new ones will require additional circuits. Similarly, appliances that pull in more energy will require additional, or even their own, circuit breakers.

You can tell that your panel is not powerful enough if your lights flicker when turning on certain devices or you often get tripped breakers. It can be incredibly frustrating to be constantly flipping circuit switches, so it may be time to get a new panel.

Here for Your Lowell Electrical Panel Needs

When your circuit breaker needs to be replaced, contact the team at Sylvester Electric, Inc. for expert and efficient service. Call us today at (978) 910-0021 to make an appointment!