Do your lights flicker or dim when you turn on a lamp, computer or other device?
Your electrical control panel is sending you a sign: It has a problem.
In some cases the panel has outlived its best days. Panels last 25 to 45 years, so they’re definitely durable. Do the math and determine the age of your panel.
Or think back to the last time, if ever, that it was upgraded. Homes today have electrical service of 200 amps or more, while older homes made do with 60 amps or 150 amps. This was before the internet, tablets, hot tubs, central air conditioning and other new devices that gobble up electricity.
Many times your electric system needs an upgrade, not a wholesale replacement. But you need a reliable electrician to tell you the difference. Being a do-it-yourselfer around electricity can be risky.
Take a look at likely problem sources:
Circuit Breakers
• Like other components, circuit breakers get old, making them more likely to malfunction. Or they could be straining to handle more equipment the home-owner has added to its load. Or it might just be a loose connection.
You can push the problem down the road by just flipping the circuit breaker back to the correct position, but sooner or later you will have a bigger problem.
Control Panel
• Rust on the panel indicates that water or some form of moisture has intruded on the system. This can be very dangerous because electricity travels through water and will shock a person or a pet.
• Electrical fires are a concern, too. Do you see scorching or burn marks on the control panel? Does it have a smoky smell?
• Other danger signs: You hear buzzing sounds or other unusual noises coming from the control panel, or sparks fly – literally -- when you plug in a device. Unplugging the device doesn’t permanently solve the problem.
Taking care
The control panel is the nerve center for the electricity that keeps your home or business running – safely and comfortably.
You can clean the panel periodically to remove dust and other debris. And you might consider a maintenance check by an experienced electrical company to prevent any minor problems from becoming major problems.
Electrical problems in NYC? Electrical Experts NYC has handled more than 500 projects, large and small.
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Customers know they can trust us with everything from a simple repair to full-house rewiring. Our professionals have a strong work ethic, a thorough understanding of electricity, and a commitment to solving problems.