Lately, the electrical power in your house has been spotty. Your lights flicker every time you use a hair dryer or the microwave. You plug in the most recent addition to your house entertainment system and promptly blow a fuse. What’s causing the problem? It might be your home’s electrical panel is outdated and in need of an upgrade.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 even electronics and systems which are turned 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 a licensed professional to measure the situation.
Do I Need an Upgrade?
The most obvious sign that you need a service upgrade is when your electrical circuits simply can’t match your needs. If you have to unplug one appliance so that you can use another without tripping the breaker, or if certain activities cause your lights to flicker, you’re probably overtaxing your electrical panel. Even though you aren’t experiencing frequent losses of service, however, you could 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panel has significantly less than 200 amps of electricity available, or if your panel has screw-in fuses, the system is out-of-date.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 at 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 An outdated, overstressed electrical panel isn’t just inconvenient-it can be dangerous.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 property is filled with power strips and extension cords because you have far more electrical devices than outlets, you’re asking each outlet to work beyond its intended capacity. If LED installers of these circuits overheats and blows under the strain, it could affect your computer, printer, television, video game console, and other things that is attached. Additionally, overheating panels and circuits are a fire hazard. Upgrade your electrical panel before it reaches this aspect to protect your property and your family from harm.
Can I Fix It Myself?
A power panel upgrade really is not a DIY project. Repairing and upgrading the electrical wiring for an entire home is extremely complicated-and there is 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. Unless you are trained in electrical system repair and installation, call a specialist residential electrician for your upgrade.
Penny Jones is a do-it-yourself enthusiast and a senior Internet marketing strategist for Prospect Genius, a leader in online local advertising.