If you have a relatively new home, you shouldn’t have to worry about the electrical panel for many years. However, many people who purchase a Sarasota area home find themselves with an electrical system and electrical panels which are as old as the home, sometimes 30 years old or more. When your panel is this old, replacement is obvious.
But what about if your electrical panel falls somewhere in between those two scenarios? Are there any tell-tale signs that the electrical panel needs an upgrade – or at very least, service from an experienced local electrician? Electricity can be very dangerous and shouldn’t be toyed with, so if you are experiencing any problems with your electricity, be sure to call in a professional immediately.
Signs Your Electrical Panel May Be Too Old
If you re wondering where your electrical panel is located, it is most likely in the garage. As many older Sarasota homes have renovated garages into extra dens, bedrooms, or utility rooms, the panel may still be in one of those rooms.
- You See Do-It-Yourself Wiring: It is often evident that the electrical panel is very old and did not have the outlets necessary to run a modern home. If you did not have an inspection on your home recently, you may wish to do so. Often, prior owners ran electrical wires in an unsafe manner to hook up more fixtures and appliances, or you may find yourself running extension cords to operate everyday items. (Extension cords are fine to plug in your Christmas lights, but not to run your refrigerator!) An overloaded electrical panel with wiring which is not up to code could present a fire safety hazard. If random wires are running along walls, ceiling or floors in order to power items in your home, your electrical system is likely in need of an immediate overhaul.
- Your Panel Still Has Fuses: Many people assume that fuses and circuit breakers are the same thing, and are interchangeable. They do perform similar functions, but fuses are older technology which could present a serious safety issue. Circuit breakers “trip” and shut off if something goes wrong with your electrical panel, but fuses do not. In other words, circuit breakers will allow power to be interrupted if something is wrong with the connections. If your electrical panel still operates with fuses, it is most likely time to upgrade it to a more modern panel with more safety features.
- Your Circuits Keep Tripping: Your circuit breakers are meant to perform an important safety function. If something is wrong with your electrical panel, or if the power flow is inconsistent, your circuit breakers are designed to “trip”. Sometimes this happens if a circuit is simply overloaded, and you can simply flip the circuit back on. However, if it repeatedly trips, it is telling you that there is an issue which needs attention. If your circuit breakers trip whenever you use a blow drier or run the blender, call a licensed and insured electrician right away. Tripped circuit breakers can be warning signs of a real problem.
Replacing your electrical panel may not seem like a desirable home improvement project, but it is one of the best ways to run an efficient home while keeping your family safe. If your panel is old or overloaded and you are located in Sarasota or Bradenton, call the master electricians at Promise Electric. We will be happy to assess the situation and make recommendations designed to keep you and your family safe.
