Lately, the electrical power in your home has been spotty. Your lights flicker every time you utilize a hair dryer or the microwave. You plug in the newest addition to your house entertainment system and promptly blow a fuse. What’s evoking the problem? It might be your home’s electrical panel is outdated and looking for an upgrade. Modern households tend to have electrical devices running 24 hours a day, and also electronics and systems which are switched off but remain plugged in can siphon electrical current. Older houses or buildings tend to be just not able to match the power demand. In the event that you suspect your home is due for an upgrade, contact a licensed professional to assess the situation.

Do I Need an Upgrade?

The most obvious sign that you’ll require a service upgrade is when your electrical circuits simply can’t match your needs. When you have to unplug one appliance as a way to use another without tripping the breaker, or if certain activities cause your lights to flicker, you’re probably overtaxing your electrical panel. Although you may aren’t experiencing frequent losses of service, however, you might be ripe for a panel upgrade. If your present service panel has significantly less than 200 amps of electricity available, or if your panel has screw-in fuses, the machine is out-of-date. As a general rule, if your house is a lot more than 20 years old, it’s worth looking at an electrical panel upgrade.

Can I Wait to Upgrade?

Home repairs, especially to the electrical system, aren’t cheap. However, electrician in Chestnut Hill ‘s never a good idea to put off residential electrical repairs. An outdated, overstressed electrical panel isn’t only inconvenient-it can also be dangerous. If your property is filled with power strips and electrical cords because you have far more electrical devices than outlets, you’re asking each outlet to work beyond its intended capacity. If one of these circuits overheats and blows under the strain, it could affect your computer, printer, television, video game console, and whatever else is attached. Additionally, overheating panels and circuits certainly are a fire hazard. Upgrade your electrical panel before it reaches this aspect to protect your property as well as your family from harm.

Can I CORRECT IT Myself?

A power panel upgrade really is not a DIY project. Repairing and upgrading the electrical wiring for an entire home is extremely complicated-and there’s a lot at stake if it isn’t done correctly. Additionally, dealing with electrical wiring carries the chance of electrocution, in addition to being a fire hazard. Unless you are trained in electrical system repair and installation, call a specialist residential electrician for the upgrade.

Penny Jones is a do-it-yourself enthusiast and a senior Internet marketing strategist for Prospect Genius, a leader in online local advertising.