Fun Facts on the Home Electrical Panel for Carolinas Homeowners
What is it with an electrical panel that has you standing in front of it and trying to make sense of all the switches? You may be left to wonder if your panel is up to the task of how your family lives now, or just how old it is. Then there is the odd time a breaker will trip without any explanation and you are not sure why.
Those are questions we hear a lot at Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, so do not think you are alone in them. We have put homeowners in the Carolinas at ease with their homes for some time now, going back to 1955. Should you care to have a conversation about your own panel with someone from our office, (704) 741-8773 is the number to put us in touch.
For the most part an electrical panel is among the busiest pieces of equipment in the house and yet it is easy to overlook. We would like to set the record straight with some facts that are as useful as they are interesting.
A Matter of Nomenclature
Some will refer to it as a service panel or load center, others a fuse or breaker box. In the end they mean the same metal box that channels utility power to every corner of the home. There is some history to it: in older stock you will find fuses, small things that will melt and break the circuit under too much of a load. A modern breaker is a more convenient affair; it flips off and can be put back on again.
The Breakers Are There to Guard You
They are designed to cut the power when a circuit is pulling current it should not, thus averting overheated wires and the fire hazard that goes with them. The next time you have the toaster and microwave going and a breaker throws, take comfort in the fact it is minding its business.
Ampage of the Panel
You will come across these sizes:
- 60 amp, in very old homes
- 100 amp, for an older or smaller place
- 150 amp, somewhere in between
- 200 amp, what one sees in a newer Carolinas home
- 400 amp, for a large home with considerable demand
The higher the figure, the more electricity can be put through safely. With electric vehicle chargers and all the devices a family puts to use, an old panel can be hard put to it.
Panels Do Not Last Forever
Not the most pleasant of fun facts, but true: a panel has a finite life. Corrosion and wear will take their toll over the decades, as will the evolving needs of your household. Some of the older panels were made by companies whose wares are considered problematic today. An electrician with a license can put your mind at rest.
Good Labeling Will See You Through
Make it a point to label each breaker. If you have to shut the power to an outlet or trouble shoot something, it is a good deal less of a chore with a panel that is properly labeled. Enlist some help and go through them one by one to see what is what. You will be glad you did later on.
Things to Be On the Lookout For
There are telltale signs when something is amiss:
- A breaker tripping with no rhyme or reason
- Any scorching or discoloration
- A warm spot on the cover of the panel
- Buzzing or crackling
- Lights in the home that flicker
- The smell of burning in the vicinity
Do not put stock in guesswork where electricity is concerned. Put down the tools and make a call.
We Put Safety First
You need not be on your own to sort this out. Our team is fully licensed and insured with an A+ from the BBB and a 4.9 rating in more than 6,000 Google reviews. We stand behind what we do with a 100 percent guarantee and are on hand around the clock since electrical matters do not observe business hours.
It is a sound way to ensure a home is comfortable and safe to get to know your panel. But for an expert opinion we are at the service of homeowners in the Carolinas. Get in touch with Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical at (704) 741-8773 for the answers you should have.
