How Can a Faulty Electrical Panel Be Dangerous?
An electrical panel upgrade may be required when a panel can no longer handle the voltage flowing through them, resulting in a safety hazard. Factors such as incorrect installation, damage, or age can all reduce the effectiveness of an electrical panel, turning it into a dangerous fire hazard. Since all voltage used in your Toronto home flows through your panel before reaching any electrical devices, it’s really important to ensure that you have an electrical panel box that can handle all your needs. If your panel is not functioning well or is no longer in good condition, it will affect your entire household.
Why Your Electrical Panel Box May Be a Fire Hazard As mentioned, your Toronto home’s main panel supplies electricity to the circuits throughout your house. However, if any circuit receives too much electricity, the breakers will trip in an attempt to prevent injury or damage. If your home is experiencing breaker issues regularly, call your local licensed electrician to book an assessment.
Electrical panels are deemed a fire hazard when they no longer reliably trip breakers to the wires that are receiving too much electrical voltage. When too much electricity flows through a circuit, that circuit will overheat. Over time, overheating wires melt their insulation until they begin to spark. They’ll also become dangerously hot to touch. Sparks or heat produced by overheating wires can start electrical fires in your home.
How Do I Know When an Electrical Panel Upgrade Is Needed? An electrical panel box can fail to function effectively for several reasons. The most common reason is simply age, with the average panel lasting 20 to 30 years. Over time, components can wear down and you’ll likely start to notice that your circuit breakers trip more frequently. This is a sign that an electrical panel upgradeis needed. If you know your panel isn’t old, poor function may be the result of damage, improper installation, or a panel that is too small for your needs. Electrical panels are more likely to fail when they’re overloaded. If you’ve renovated or added an addition, you may be demanding too much voltage from your circuits for your current panel to keep up.
Langstaff & Sloan: Toronto Electricians You Can Trust If you think there’s something wrong with the electrical panel in your Toronto area home, contact Langstaff & Sloan. Our licensed electricians can inspect your electrical, diagnose what’s wrong, and provide the best solution to enhance your home’s safety and functionality. An electrical system that is showing signs of concern can pose a significant risk to your home and your family. Call us today at 416-503-2033 so that we can help ensure your home’s safety as soon as possible.