Electrical panels are an essential part of any home or business. Not only are these panels responsible for connecting your home or business to the power lines that bring it electricity, but they also ensure that you are able to utilize all that power safely and efficiently. The only problem is that these electrical panels don’t last forever, and eventually, you’ll need a Garnet Valley, PA electrician that you can trust to upgrade them.
That’s where New London Electric comes in. Here at New London Electric, we specialize in upgrading electrical panels for our customers all over the Delaware County area. With over 30 years in the industry, our team of expert electricians has all the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure that you don’t just get the upgrades you need, but that they will last decades into the future. You just need to figure out whether or not you need an electrical panel upgrade in the first place.
The good news is that there are plenty of different signs that can give you insight into the health of your electrical panel. You just need to know what they are, so whether you suspect that your electrical panel needs an upgrade or not, here are five signs that you should look out for.
Your Circuit Breaker is Tripping More Often
Tripping is a generally normal occurrence that may happen to any electric panel or circuit breaker every once in a while. As the central hub of your home or business’s electrical systems, if your electric panel detects that something is wrong, it will trip, or cut all the power to a particular circuit or part of your home. This safety measure is essential to preventing short circuits, overloaded circuits, ground faults, and more from starting electrical fires or causing any other types of damage.
While circuit breaker trips are normal if they happen now and then, electric panel trips should not happen very frequently. If you notice that your circuit breaker is tripping more often, it is most likely an indication that your home or business’s electrical load has become too much for your current panel to handle and that you need to upgrade it as quickly as possible.
Burnt Plastic or Wood Smell
As an electrical panel ages and struggles to keep up with the amount of power you are consuming, the wiring that connects it to the rest of your home will often begin to break down. A tell-tale sign that this is happening is if you start smelling burnt plastic or wood coming from the area around your electrical panel. This isn’t just a sign that you need an electrical panel upgrade. It’s also a severe safety hazard that could potentially cause an extremely costly and life-threatening electrical fire. If you smell burnt plastic or wood, you can’t afford to wait to make an upgrade. You should contact a professional electrician immediately in order to prevent any further damage.
Your Electric Panel is Over 30 Years Old
Electric panels can last for decades if you take care of them properly, but even the best and most well taken care of panels don’t last forever. The longer you use your electrical panel, the more likely you are to experience issues that could cause anything from small inconveniences like circuit trips to much more costly damage like electrical fires.
Regardless of whether you have been experiencing any problems with your electrical panels, if your electrical panel is over 30 years old, it’s probably time to start thinking about making an upgrade.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
Another common sign that you may need an electric panel upgrade is if you notice that your overhead lights are flickering or become dimmer when operating other electrical appliances in your home. Whether it’s your microwave, your vacuum cleaner, or your washing machine, your other home appliances should not have any effect on how bright and consistent the lighting is in your home.
If this is the case, it almost certainly means that there is too much power flowing through a single circuit. Chances are that you could fix the problem by simply adding another circuit to your electrical panel, but whether your panel has room for an extra circuit or not, it’s probably best to simply upgrade the entire electrical panel anyway.
You Need More Power
Whether you’re starting a new large remodeling project or simply want to install a new appliance, both of these scenarios often lead to increases in demand for electrical power. While your current electrical panel may be up to the task, chances are that if it is more than a few years old, it may not be able to keep up with the increase in electrical load.
Regardless of how big or small your next home improvement project is, it’s almost always best to upgrade your electrical panel to ensure that your new remodel doesn’t end up causing more harm than good.
Contact New London Electric Today
Is your electric panel showing signs that it needs an upgrade? Are you looking for a Garnet Valley, PA electrician that you can trust to get the job done right? Give New London Electric a call.
Here at New London Electric, we’re proud to be Delaware County’s most trusted electrical services company, specializing in electric panel upgrades, routine repairs, new installations, and more. Our team is always here to answer your questions, and we’ll happily tell you more about how we can make your next project a reality.
All you have to do is call, and we’ll help you set up a free consultation and estimate so that you have all the information you need to fit us into your budget. Don’t push off your electric panel upgrade any longer. Call New London Electric and get the amazing electrician services your Garnet Valley, PA home deserves today!
