One of the most important questions you can ask yourself once you own a home is: Is my electrical panel safe? It’s not an everyday worry – because when things work correctly, you don’t really think about them – but it’ll definitely become your main concern when problems start cropping up.
How To Check That Your Electrical Panel Is Safe
1. Stay On Top of NEC Updates
The National Electrical Code (NEC) exists to keep you and your home safe as technology advances. You can comply with that code by ensuring:
- Your electrical panel is accessible – 36 inches of clear working space, plenty of distance from any water sources, and an appropriate height should do the trick. And if your panel is outside, make sure it’s ventilated and weatherproof.
- Your home’s electrical system meets your amperage requirements – An electrical panel with a lower amperage will struggle in a modern home. Most operate on 100-amp or 200-amp breaker boxes, but if you’ve got some particularly power-hungry appliances, you may need to upgrade to a 400-amp service.
- You have the correct breaker types and functions – AFCIs (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters) and GFCIs (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters) provide a layer of protection against potential shocks and electrical fires, which standard circuit protectors just aren’t capable of.
- You have the correct grounding and bonding principles – Proper grounding stabilizes electrical flow by distributing excess electricity safely into the earth. Proper bonding prevents dangerous differences in voltage by connecting metal components to ensure a uniform electrical path.
2. Learn Which Electrical Panels Are Safety Hazards
There are a few electrical panels that have failed the test of time:
- Federal Pacific Panels – The Stab-Lok breakers in these panels often fail to trip when a circuit is overloaded.
- Zinsco panels – They have insecure connections and bus bars that corrode easily and may cause their breakers to melt into them.
- Older fuse boxes – They are unable to keep up with current electrical codes or high-power demands, and lack RCD (Residual Current Device) protection.
3. Conduct a Few Simple Tests
There are two tests you can do to ensure your electrical panel is safe.
For the first test, flip each breaker on and off to make sure they’re resetting properly. If a breaker doesn’t stay in place or trips immediately, it may be failing, and you’ll need to replace it.
The second requires you to examine the panel box for damage. Loose connections and scorch marks are usually an indication that your panel box is overheating, while rust may indicate that it has suffered moisture damage. Discoloration can be a signal of both.
If anything looks off, contact Wires R Us, and we’ll send someone down to inspect your electrical panel.
Red Flags to Look Out for on Your Electrical Panel and Around Your Home
1. Abnormally Frequent Breaker Trips and Blown Fuses
An occasional trip is normal – it means your electrical box is doing its job properly – but when that becomes the norm, it means there’s an underlying issue. And when frequent trips are paired with constant blown fuses, it’s usually a sign that:
- Your electrical panel is struggling with the electrical load of your home.
OR it’s an indication of:
- Overloaded circuits,
- Faulty breakers, and
- Wiring issues.
2. Visible Corrosion, Rust, or Water Damage
Water and your electrical panel should never co-exist. The combination can lead to a fatal shock, a fire, rust, and corrosion, which interfere with the functionality of your electrical panel.
If you see any signs of water damage, contact the professionals immediately.
3. Constant Humming, Crackling, or Buzzing Sounds
If you can hear electricity, stop using – or shut down – the source of the noise and contact your electrician. Common sources of electrical buzzing are:
- Loose wiring or prongs,
- Faulty breakers,
- Fraying wires, and
- Electrical arcing.
4. Bulbs that Constantly Flicker or Dim No Matter How Many Times You Replace Them
Light fixtures don’t draw much power, so if you’ve got one that keeps flickering after you’ve replaced it a few times, your bulbs aren’t the issue. The real culprit may be:
- Circuits that are overloaded because of high-energy appliances,
- Loose wiring, or
- An outdated or failing electrical panel.
5. Dangerous Outlets
There are a few ways to tell when the electrical components in your outlets are overheating:
- Strange smells,
- Discoloration around your breakers,
- Burned plastic insulation and wires,
- Melted sockets, and
- Scorch marks on the panel and your outlets.
6. An Old Uninspected Panel
Most electrical panels can last between 25 and 40 years if they’re designed well, but they still need to be inspected and updated to ensure they’re up to code.
Older panels function but may struggle to handle the demands of a modern home, and can become easily overloaded. If you have a panel that’s never been inspected the whole time it’s been in operation, you need to contact an electrician.
7. The Panel Is Warm to the Touch
If your panel is warm, it means that something in your system is opposing the flow of electricity too much. If the issue is not corrected, it can lead to an electrical fire.
You’ve taken a step in the right direction by asking yourself, “Is my electrical panel safe?” If you’re still concerned, contact Wires R Us and we’ll send someone out to inspect your electrical panel.
