Your home’s electrical panel is the heart of its electrical system. It is responsible for distributing power throughout the house safely and efficiently.
However, like any other component of your home, electrical panels can degrade over time. They need to be upgraded to ensure the safety and reliability of your electrical system.
Make sure you get in touch with a professional electrician in Stevenage to upgrade your electric panel.
Here are five signs that indicate it might be time for an upgrade.
When should you upgrade your electrical panel?
Frequent circuit breaker trips
If you constantly reset tripped circuit breakers, it could be a sign that your electrical panel is struggling to handle the electrical load in your home.
Circuit breakers trip when they detect an overload or a short circuit. It would help if you cut off power to prevent damage or fires. While occasional tripping is normal, frequent trips indicate overloading problems. Upgrading to a panel with higher amperage capacity can help prevent these annoying and potentially dangerous interruptions.
Outdated panel design
Older homes may still have electrical panels with outdated designs or components that no longer meet modern safety standards. For example, panels with fuses instead of circuit breakers are more prone to electrical fires.
Additionally, panels manufactured by certain brands are known to have safety issues. If you have such panels, then it’s time to get them placed.
Buzzing or crackling sounds
Unusual sounds from your electrical panel, such as buzzing or crackling, could indicate loose connections, faulty breakers, or other internal issues.
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to overheating, arcing, and, potentially, electrical fires. If you notice any unusual sounds emanating from your electrical panel, it’s essential to have it inspected by a qualified electrician promptly.
Flickering lights
Flickering or dimming lights can be a symptom of various electrical problems, including insufficient power supply from the electrical panel. If you notice lights dimming or flickering when appliances are turned on or off, it could indicate that your electrical panel is struggling to meet the power demand.
Upgrading to a panel with higher capacity can stabilise voltage levels and prevent fluctuations, ensuring consistent power supply to all areas of your home.
Overheating or burn marks
Visible signs of overheating, such as burn marks or discolouration on the electrical panel or its surrounding area, are serious red flags that should not be ignored. Overheating can occur due to loose connections, overloaded circuits, or outdated panel components, significantly increasing the risk of electrical fires. If you notice any overheating or burning near your electrical panel, it’s crucial to address the issue immediately by upgrading to a newer, safer panel.
If you’re looking for a professional electrician to replace electrical panels, contact PHS Electrical Services Ltd. We can help you with all types of electrical services.
