One of the most important components of any home is the electric panel. The panel divides the electricity sent to your home by your power company and distributes it among different circuits used to power different rooms, outlets, and systems in your home. However, things can sometimes go wrong with your panel. This can happen when the panel becomes overloaded.
What Is an Overload?
One thing you should know about an electric panel is that it is only designed to distribute a certain amount of power. If too many devices are drawing power from that panel, an overload can and will occur. When this happens, a power surge happens. While this will likely result in a circuit breaker tripping and cutting off power to a portion of your home, the consequences can be even more dangerous than that.
Why Are Overloads a Problem?
While overloads may not sound serious, they are far more dangerous than you may realize. In addition to power loss, an overload can cause severe damage to electronics. A device, such as your computer, may be permanently damaged by an overload. Overloading your panel may also lead to overheating and sparks that could inadvertently start a fire. It could literally put your family in extreme danger.
Signs to Look Out For
There are certain signs you should always be on the lookout for that could tell you that your electric panel is overloaded. Some of these signs include:
- Blown fuses
- Breaker tripping
- Burning smell
- Buzzing
- Damage to electronics or appliances
- Dimmed or flickering lights
- Electrical shocks
- Warm outlets
- Warm wires
- Power fluctuations
If you detect any of these signs, you could have an overloaded electric panel.
Fixing the Problem
Obviously, not overloading the panel will prevent such issues from happening. You can do this by not plugging in multiple devices into the same outlet. If you have power-hogging appliances or electronics, it may be time to upgrade to more energy-efficient models that will draw less power. Unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use will also help.
Still, if you detect issues, like burning smells or electric shocks, the damage may already have been done to your panel and the electrical system in general. Due to how dangerous damaged electrical systems can be, you should have your system inspected by professional electricians. Never attempt electrical repairs on your own. You could get electrocuted or start a fire. It’s simply too dangerous.
If you have detected issues with your electric panel or system, don’t ignore it. You could be putting your family in danger. Always hire professional electricians to fix electrical issues as soon as they are detected. If you live near Camarillo, CA, and are having issues with your electric panel, call Economy Lighting and Electrical to set up an appointment. We have years of experience fixing electrical issues for clients at a very fair price.
