Even though electrical issues can develop at any time of the year, they seem to be more common during the winter. People spend more time at home then, and they leave their lights on longer, cook more meals, and use powerful space heaters on especially cold days. All that takes a toll on your electrical system, which could spell disaster if you have a damaged or outdated electrical panel.
The best way to know if you have a failing electrical panel is to call an electrician and schedule an inspection, but there are still some things that you can do to spot potential problems. Here are six signs to look for.
1. Flickering Lights
If your lights flicker or dim when you use any of your appliances, it likely means that your electrical panel is overloaded. Upgrading your panel to one that can handle all your electrical needs should solve that problem.
2. Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
Your circuit breakers trip when a circuit is overloaded. It’s a handy safety feature, but breakers shouldn’t trip too often. If they do, you either have an outdated electrical panel, or something is wrong with your home’s wiring. Either way, you’ll need to get it fixed before the next winter storm hits.
3. Burning Smells
Never ignore burning smells coming from outlets or your electrical panel. A burning odor means your wiring is overheated and could start an electrical fire. The same goes for outlets or panels that are warm to the touch.
4. Scorch Marks
If a panel or outlet is getting hot enough to emit a burning smell, you’ll likely see some scorch marks on or near it. Look for any strange discolorations, and stop using any outlets or circuits that appear to be burnt.
5. Not Enough Outlets in Your Home
Even if your home’s electrical system seems safe, you might still need an upgrade if you never seem to have enough free outlets. You can get by with a few power strips if you need to plug in extra lights or devices, but you shouldn’t have to rely on them too much. If you do, schedule an electrical panel upgrade before the winter weather gets too extreme.
6. An Older Electrical Panel
As a rule, your electrical panel needs an upgrade every 25 to 30 years. If you know it’s been that long since your last upgrade, or if your home still has a fuse box, schedule an upgrade soon. Having an older electrical panel isn’t a guarantee that you’re headed for electrical problems, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you notice issues with your electrical panel or have other reasons to think it’s time for an upgrade, contact Thompson and Thompson in Savannah, GA today.
