Signs That Your Circuit Breaker Panel Needs An Electrician
The circuit breaker panel in your home is the central component of the electrical circuits in the house. It controls the direction and flow of power throughout your home and prevents power surges by tripping breakers when excess power draw is recognized. While most homeowners recognize the importance of the breaker panel, many don't know when they should reach out to an electrician for help with it. Here's a look at what you need to know about your home's circuit breaker panel and the signs that you need to call an electrician.
Frequent Tripping
If you have a circuit breaker that keeps tripping repeatedly, even if it only happens when you run certain things at the same time, it's a cause for concern. Usually, this is an indication that there is excessive draw on that circuit and the breaker lacks the capacity for it. You'll need to reach out to an electrician as soon as possible about this so that you can have the circuit tested and determine the source of the problem. Excessive draw on a circuit can be dangerous, so you don't want to ignore this.
Popping Noises
If you stand near your circuit breaker panel and you hear any kind of popping sounds coming from the panel or behind it, you'll want to call an electrician right away. Popping sounds usually indicate that there's electricity arcing, which can cause an electrical short or potentially a fire. Your electrician can check the wires and find the loose connection that's arcing, then repair the damage to restore the safe operation of your home's electricity.
Warmth
Your circuit breaker panel and the breakers themselves should never feel warm to the touch. If you can feel heat when you touch the panel or the breakers, that's often an indication that there's an overload of power flowing through the circuit. You'll need to have an electrician test the breakers and check the wiring behind the panel to isolate the source of the problem.
Visible Damage
Any signs of visible damage or wear on your breaker panel should also be cause for concern. Even if it seems like things are working fine, you'll need to have it addressed to prevent the potential for more serious problems. Things like frayed wires, burnt spots on the metal, or a loose circuit breaker panel should all warrant the attention of an electrician as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns about your home's wiring or circuit breaker panel, reach out to a residential electrician today.