Getting to know your electrical panel can help prevent dangerous electrical issues and protect your equipment. It also increases the chances that you’ll know what to do if a problem happens. Discover simple safety tips that can allow you to keep your home safe.
Professional Panel Inspections
Don’t skimp on professional electrical panel inspections, even if everything seems to be working correctly. If your home is at least 25 years old, book one every 1 to 3 years. You should book one every 3 to 5 years if your house is younger. During an inspection, professional electricians can spot even minor issues that may easily go unnoticed by homeowners.
Self-Inspections
Become familiar with the ins and outs of your electrical panel. This allows you to recognize when something doesn’t seem quite right. In addition to paying attention to your electrical system on a daily basis, take a close look at your panel at least once a month. If you notice any potential problems, contact a professional right away.
Signs of Trouble
In order to know when to get professional help for your panel, you need to first recognize some of the warning signs. Scorch marks on the panel itself, burning smells, flickering lights, and tripping breakers are only a few of the issues to be aware of.
Clearance
Many homeowners shove furniture and other items against their electrical panel since they typically don’t access it often. If you do this, you could be setting your home up for a dangerous situation, especially if the items near the panel are flammable. Your electrical panel needs at least a few feet of clear space within its vicinity. This makes it easy to look for issues, whether it’s you or an electrician doing the checking. Also, if there’s an emergency situation, you can quickly reach the main breaker to turn off all the power at once.
Tripped Breakers
A major mistake that several homeowners make is repeatedly trying to reset a tripped breaker. If the breaker trips one time and you reset it only for it to return to the “Off” position, it’s best to leave it alone. This usually indicates that there’s a potentially serious problem happening that needs to be evaluated.
With some extra TLC, your electrical panel could last upwards of 40 years. Don’t wait until your panel experiences issues to take steps to protect it as well as yourself and your home. It’s also crucial to learn what to do when something goes wrong. Start now with some basic steps that can help prevent problems and keep the panel in good condition. If you have concerns or require electrical panel services, contact Paxton Electric in Rochester, MN.
