Nothing is worse than dealing with an unexpected power outage or a problem with the electrical system in your home. Within your home, your circuit breaker is a safety device that helps prevent overloads, power surges, and short circuits from ruining your appliances (and your day). Whenever a fault occurs, circuit breakers trip and cut off the power supply.
Most circuit breakers will last for 30 to 40 years, making them relatively easy to care for until you need a panel replacement. Unfortunately, when they become old and faulty, they can increase the risk of:
- House fires
- Electric shocks
- Blackouts
- Electrocution
Your circuit breakers are installed in your electrical panel, and there are many of them. They run from the top of the panel to the bottom and are both numbered and mapped to make it easier to know what they affect in your household. Lights in the bathroom went out? Check for a tripped circuit breaker. Lost power to your oven? A breaker could have been triggered by an overload or another issue.
You also have a large main breaker, which is in control of everything. This breaker helps you turn off all power to your home, which is a good idea if you’re installing electrical fixtures or appliances, for example.
From time to time, circuit breakers will “trip” and shut off something in your home. Usually, they do this because of a fault or an overload. However, as breakers get older, they could become too sensitive and trip when they don’t need to. Alternatively, they may not switch when, and that could put your home in danger.
If you start to notice unusual issues with your lights or appliances, it may be time to have your circuit breakers serviced or replaced.
Signs that you may need to replace your circuit breakers or electrical panels include the following:
- The breaker trips often
- Light fixtures and appliances aren’t working well
- The circuit breaker is aging
- The breaker won’t stay in “on” position
- You smell something odd coming from your electrical panel
Any of these signs could mean that your circuit breaker needs to be repaired or replaced. Fortunately, Wolfer’s Home Services has been offering maintenance, repairs, and replacement services to families and businesses like yours for over 100 years. We offer a full range of services and are here to help. Contact us to set up an inspection and resolve your electrical issues.
