The electrical panel for your house is the most used appliance in your home, but most of us never think about maintaining it. Everything works the way it should: The lights are on, the HVAC keeps us comfortable, and the stove and refrigerator ensure we have food and beverages. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right?
However, regular periodic maintenance on your electrical panel can help ensure that everything continues to work as it should. The following tips can help keep your breaker box in good working order, allowing you to continue enjoying your creature comforts. Many of these you can do yourself, but some require the expertise of a professional electrician.
Safety Precautions
These are five essential safety precautions to always follow:
- No matter what you’re doing on the panel, always turn off the main breaker before you start.
- Never touch exposed components or work on your panel unless the main breaker is off.
- Use insulated tools to avoid a shock.
- Wear protective clothing, such as goggles and gloves.
- Never introduce water or other liquids into your electrical panel.
DIY Tasks
These are jobs that homeowners can usually handle on their own. However, when in doubt, you can’t go wrong by hiring a licensed electrician.
Visual Inspection
Check your electrical panel for burn marks, corrosion, loose connections, rust, or wear and tear. Keep a 3-foot clearance around the panel, and keep it dry. Remove stored items from in front of the panel. Finally, ensure that all circuits are labeled to identify their appliances or areas.
Cleaning
With a dry cloth, remove dust and dirt from the panel. You can use a vacuum attachment for hard-to-reach areas.
Use an electrical contact cleaner on severely corroded surfaces. Do not use a water-based cleaner.
Troubleshooting
If a circuit breaker frequently trips, the circuit might be overloaded, you might have a defective appliance, or the wiring might need to be replaced. Make sure all connections are secure and have no damage or fraying. Distribute appliances evenly over several outlets to avoid overloading one or two breakers. If you notice a burning smell, turn off the breakers immediately, and locate the source.
Tasks for Professionals
If you notice an electrical burning odor, contact a professional electrician. Likewise, areas with crackling, buzzing, or burn marks require the services of an electrician. If you attempt repairs to these problems and it results in a fire or other damage, your homeowners insurance may refuse to pay and may cancel your policy.
If your home is more than 30 years old, you may need to replace the wiring. This is also true if you frequently experience tripped breakers.
Modern appliances and conveniences often require more electricity than their predecessors, so if you have many electronic devices, your circuits may be unable to accommodate the load. Large appliances, such as refrigerators and HVAC units, also require a considerable amount of electricity.
Need an Electrician? We’re Here to Help
If you live in Waldorf, MD and need a professional and courteous electrician to repair or replace your electrical panel, call our team at Circuit Doctors. We guarantee all our work, so you can be assured of receiving the best service possible.
