1. ELECTRICAL PANEL IS OVER 25 YEARS OLD
The average lifespan for an electrical panel can range from 25-40 years. There is a wide range of variability due to several things, such as:
Power surges
Wear and tear
Manufacturer defect
Whatever the reason, an electrical panel that is over 25 years old can be a dangerous panel.
2. SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING / BURNT
You should always be immediately concerned if your electrical panel has a burnt or burning smell in or around it. When circuit breaker panels fail, it can cause serious house fires that can destroy your entire property as well as your neighbors.
3. OFTEN EXPERIENCE BREAKERS TRIPPING
Circuit breakers are designed to trip and turn the flow of electricity off to protect you from circuits that are drawing too much power.
4. LACK THE OUTLETS THAT YOU NEED
A similar issue with the electrical panel that allows too little electrical flow is if you often find that you don’t have enough outlets. While this may seem like an issue you can fix with a power strip, it’s not recommended to overtax any single outlet.
5. RECENTLY ADDED NEW LARGE APPLIANCE
Bringing in a new appliance such as a dishwasher or an appliance that has a higher electrical draw than your old appliance can lead you to need a new electrical panel.
6. HAS FUSES AND NOT CIRCUIT BREAKERS
In principle, electrical panels that use fuses can be just as safe as panels that use circuit breakers to interrupt the flow of electricity. However, fuse-based electrical panels are often overtaxed since once a fuse blows, you have to replace the fuse rather than just flipping a switch like you can with a circuit breaker. se-based panels, it is best to have them replaced with circuit breaker electrical panels.
7. ELECTRICAL PANEL IS WARM OR HOT WHEN TOUCHED
One of the key things that an electrical panel regulates is how hot your electrical system becomes. Overheating should trigger a circuit breaker to trip and protect your home from a potential electrical fire.
8. RUST HAS FORMED ON THE ELECTRICAL PANEL
A clear sign of damage to your electrical panel is if there is rust on it. Any rust indicates that there has been water damage to your panel, and that’s a serious concern when it comes to your electricity.
9. PANEL MAKES STRANGE SOUNDS
Electrical panels should operate silently, with the occasion click when a circuit breaker is popped. But sometimes, people hear buzzing or hissing sounds from their electrical panel.
10. LIGHTS FLICKER OR DIM WHEN THINGS ARE PLUGGED IN
Your light shouldn’t be affected by something as simple as plugging in the vacuum or using your microwave. But if your lights are affected by these things, it can indicate that your electrical panel isn’t up for the needed power draw and needs to be replaced.
11. ELECTRICAL PANEL HAS RECEIVED DIRECT DAMAGE
While electrical panels are low-profile, they can become damaged whether it’s something falling on them or being hit by a car if the panel is located in the garage. If your electrical panel has received direct damage, it is essential that you have it checked by one of our electrical technicians.
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