What You Can (and Shouldn’t) Do With Your Electrical Panel

In this article, you will learn:

The electrical panel has often been referred to as the “heart” or “brain” of your home. It is the source of power for everything from your TV to your kitchen appliances to your home’s water supply.

When you begin experiencing power issues, most homeowners will turn to the electrical panel to fix it themselves, quickly. However, this can be incredibly dangerous when not handled with caution. This article will provide several tips on how to best handle your home’s electric.

Homeowners should feel empowered to conduct basic checks on their electrical panel, but some tasks will require a professional electrician. First, we will cover where to locate your home’s electrical panel.

Where is My Home’s Electrical Panel?

The most common locations to find your home’s electrical panel is in the basement, the garage, utility room, or on the exterior of your home. Be sure it’s always accessible and not hidden or locked away for easy access in an emergency.

Before you begin, some important safety rules:

• Keep hands dry and stand on a dry surface
• Never touch exposed waters
• Use a proper flashlight, not your phone
• Wear rubber-soled shoes
• If anything looks damaged or unsafe, stop immediately and call a professional

What You Can (and Shouldn’t) Check on Your Home’s Electrical Panel

Use your eyes, ears, and nose when conducting electrical panel checks:

• Look for rust or corrosion, burn marks, loose or missing screws, or signs of water damage
• Listen and smell for buzzing or crackling sounds and burning or hot plastic smells
• Test breakers lightly and check for tripped breakers, but only if the panel checks the three senses test of sight, smell, and hear

It might be time to call a professional electrician if you experience any signs of burning, corrosion or water damage upon inspection. Also, if the breakers won’t reset or trip repeatedly, or if your panel is over 20 years old, it is time to pick up the phone and call the professionals.

Ready to Get Started With Your Professional Electrical Repair?

An annual professional inspection of your home’s electrical panel is recommended as preventive maintenance. Keep the panel area clear with at least five feet of space, label circuits as changes are made, and consider surge protection or panel upgrades to better protect yourself, your family, and your home.

ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling and Electric brings over 70 years of trusted service and state-licensed expertise to every electrical repair. We deliver code-compliant work backed by written warranties on parts and labor. Contact us today for a free consultation and transparent pricing.

Don’t let faulty electrical take over your home this year. Call ABC for expert electrical service, inspection, or installation—Consider It Done.

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