Electric Panels: Homeowner Basics

With just a press of the button, electric panels make sure that the right amount of current goes to the right place. From the outside it doesn't look like much; but as you open up the front, you will see exactly how intricate your system is. Each of these circuit breakers controls a specific part of your home. Did you know that every time you plug in an appliance on turn on a light it is this piece of equipment that is doing all of the work? You probably don't pay much attention to how this works, but when things go wrong, it can be a huge inconvenience.

The Fuses

The fuses or circuit breakers are the main part of electric panels. When you open up the door, you'll notice that there are several different switches. Newer homes typically have each one labeled clearly to assist the homeowner if an issue arises. At the very least, you will see at the very top a larger switch labeled "main." This main fuse controls the switches below. If it is in the off position none of the others will function.

Needing to Make a Change

As homes increase their energy usage, the electric panels in older homes may need to be replaced. Remember that at the time the home was built it was set up to handle electric use for that time. Today more appliances, devices and gadgets are tapping into your homes electrical system. If your home is older than twenty years, consider upgrading the unit to handle the current demands of your household. You could need a more efficient set up.

Have you noticed the breakers in your home consistently tripping? Are the lights a little dimmer than they should be? These are symptoms that overworked electric panels could display. If you attempt to ignore the problem and hope that it will fix itself, you could be looking at a costly mistake. Just one surge of energy running through your home could damage or destroy many of the appliances or electronics that you have plugged in.

Gaining Help from the Experts

Today, the experts are individuals and companies that know the ins and outs of electricity and the way it is consumed within a home. Because of this, they are familiar with electric panels, what they do, and whether or not they are working successfully for a home. When you see the breakers tripping or the items of your home not getting the right amount of energy, a professional can come in and help determine what the exact problem is.

If you don't know what you are doing, working with electricity can be a real hazard to both you and your family. Once you have an electrician in your home, allow him or her to take over the job. Once the assessment is complete, they will let you know what needs to be done to repair or replace this part of your home.