Lately, the electrical power in your house has been spotty. Your lights flicker each time you use a hair dryer or the microwave. You plug in the newest addition to your home entertainment system and promptly blow a fuse. What’s causing the problem? It might be that your home’s electrical panel is outdated and in need of an upgrade. Modern households tend to have electrical devices running 24 hours a day, and also electronics and systems that are switched off but remain plugged in can siphon electrical current. Older houses or buildings are often just not able to keep up with the power demand. In the event that you suspect your home is due for an upgrade, contact an authorized professional to measure the situation.
Do I Need an Upgrade?
The most obvious sign that you’ll require a service upgrade is whenever your electrical circuits simply can’t keep up with your needs. When you have to unplug one appliance in order to use another without tripping the breaker, or if certain activities cause your lights to flicker, you’re probably overtaxing your electrical panel. Even if you aren’t experiencing frequent losses of service, however, you may be ripe for a panel upgrade. If your current service panel has significantly less than 200 amps of electricity available, or if your panel has screw-in fuses, the system is out-of-date. In most cases, if your house is more than 20 years old, it’s worth looking into an electrical panel upgrade.
Can I Wait to Upgrade?
Home repairs, especially to the electrical system, aren’t cheap. However, it’s never smart to defer residential electrical repairs. An outdated, overstressed electrical panel isn’t just inconvenient-it can be dangerous. If your home is filled up with power strips and extension cords because you have a lot more electrical devices than outlets, you’re asking each outlet to work beyond its intended capacity. If one of these brilliant circuits overheats and blows beneath the strain, it could affect your personal computer, printer, television, gaming console, and whatever else is attached. Additionally, overheating panels and circuits are a fire hazard. Upgrade your electrical panel before it reaches this point to protect your property as well as your family from harm.
Can I CORRECT IT Myself?
An electrical panel upgrade really isn’t a DIY project. Repairing and upgrading the electrical wiring for a whole home is extremely complicated-and there’s a lot at stake if it isn’t done correctly. Additionally, working with electrical wiring carries the chance of electrocution, along with being a fire hazard. If La Mirada Electrical Repair don’t are been trained in electrical system repair and installation, call a professional residential electrician for your upgrade.
Penny Jones is a home improvement enthusiast and a senior Internet marketing strategist for Prospect Genius, a leader in online local advertising.