The main electrical panel or circuit breaker panel is the most important part of any electrical system. The power from the electrical grid flows into the panel, and the panel then distributes it to all of the various circuits in the building. An electrical panel typically lasts for around 25 to 30 years, and it’s important to have your panel inspected by a professional electrician every year to know if it needs to be replaced or has any issues.
The Importance of Annual Electrical Safety Inspections
The best way to hopefully prevent electrical fires and other major electrical issues is to have a safety inspection performed at least once a year by a certified, licensed electrician. During the inspection, the electrician will check the condition of all of the wires in your main electrical panel and any sub-panels you have. Any damaged or frayed wires will need to be replaced to prevent them from shorting or creating a dangerous arc fault.
They will also make sure that all of the connections in the panel are fully tight and test that each circuit breaker works properly. A circuit breaker that malfunctions and fails to trip is extremely dangerous, as it could lead to the wiring catching fire or the wire insulation melting and the current arcing.
It generally isn’t possible to inspect most of the wires in a home since they are hidden behind walls and inside ceilings. Nonetheless, the electrician will go around the entire home and look for any issues with your outlets, light switches and light fixtures.
Why You Should Visually Inspect Your Electrical Panel Regularly
While annual electrical safety inspections are important, you should also open the door on your electrical panel at least a few times a year and perform a quick visual inspection. The panel may feel warm, but you should immediately contact an electrician if it feels hot to the touch. You also need to have your panel inspected immediately if there are any burn, scorch or smoke marks since this indicates that one of the wires melted, which could lead to the panel catching fire.
You also want to make sure that there are no visible signs of rust or corrosion. If you see a white, powdery substance on any of the circuit breakers similar to what you sometimes see on batteries, it is usually corrosion. In this case, you will want to have the corroded circuit breakers or perhaps the entire panel replaced as soon as you can. This is because corrosion can prevent the circuit breaker from working and tripping when it should. It’s also important to schedule an immediate inspection if there is any rust inside the panel. Rust can occur if the humidity level in the home is high, but it can also indicate that water is getting into the panel from somewhere.
Signs That You Need to Have Your Electrical Panel Inspected Immediately
It is also important that you pay attention and watch out for any signs that can potentially indicate your home has a major electrical issue. Depending on the specific issue, an electrician may be able to fix it by replacing or repairing the outlet, switch or light fixture or simply tightening a loose connection. If any wires are melted or frayed, you will need to have at least part of that particular circuit rewired. There are also some issues that can only be fixed by replacing your electrical panel. If you ever notice any of the following issues, you’ll want to contact an electrician immediately.
Outlet Starts Smoking or Smells Like It’s Burning
An outlet that starts smoking or suddenly smells like it is burning is an electrical emergency and is almost certain to catch fire if you don’t immediately unplug everything from it. As long as there is no power flowing out of the outlet, it shouldn’t catch fire as long as you act immediately. That said, we’d always recommend opening your electrical panel and shutting off whichever circuit breaker controls that outlet just to be completely safe. If your circuit breakers aren’t labeled or you can’t find the correct one, you can also just shut off the main breaker. However, shutting off the main breaker means you won’t have any electricity in your home, so you’ll want to call for an emergency inspection and get the outlet replaced.
If any outlet in your home is black or discolored, you should never use it. An outlet that is black or starts smoking always indicates that it has a loose connection or damaged wire. These issues can cause the current to spark and the wiring to get so hot that the plastic on the outlet starts melting. If you have multiple outlets along one wall, say on your kitchen counter, it’s best not to use any of them if one of them is discolored, black or looks like it’s melted. When there are multiple outlets in a row, they are often wired and daisy-chained together. If you use an outlet that is further down the chain from the damaged outlet, it can still lead to the damaged outlet smoking or catching fire even if nothing is plugged into it.
Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
A single circuit breaker that regularly trips means that some issue is frequently overloading the circuit. This can be simply because you have too many items plugged in and are trying to draw too much power, which is something you can easily check for. If you’ve unplugged most things from that circuit and the breaker keeps tripping, you should leave the breaker shut off until it can be inspected. In this case, you can be almost certain that there is an issue causing a short circuit or arc fault. Short circuits and arc faults allow the current to flow unrestricted, which leads to the voltage massively spiking to where the breaker trips. In this situation, you will usually need to have an outlet, switch or light fixture repaired or replaced or possibly have the circuit rewired.
If you have different circuit breakers that frequently trip, the issue most likely lies with the electrical panel itself. This situation will usually require having an electrician rewire the panel or install a new panel.
Flickering Lights
The lights in your home may occasionally flicker for a few different reasons. If just one fixture flickers, it almost always means that one of the connections in the switch or fixture is loose or there is a damaged wire.
If the lights in various parts of your home flicker, especially when a 240-volt appliance like a clothes dryer or AC turns on, it’s a sign that your panel doesn’t provide high enough amp service. This is a common issue in homes that have multiple 240-volt appliances and only a 60- or 100-amp electrical service panel. In this situation, any of the 240-volt appliances will often draw so much power that the voltage in the other circuits temporarily decreases, causing the lights to flicker or dim. Depending on the size of your home and how many 240-volt circuits you have, you’ll usually need to upgrade to either a 150-amp or 200-amp service panel.
With more than 70 years of experience, Childers Air Plumbing & Electric is the most trusted electrical company in the Beckley area. Our team of licensed electricians specializes in electrical inspections and all types of repairs and installation services. If you need to have your electrical panel inspected, upgraded or need any other home service, give us a call to get the expert help and advice you need.
