How To Know If You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade or ReWiring

There are many things that are charming about older homes, but their electrical wiring and infrastructure are rarely one of them. If you live in a less-than-new property, you have probably already run into some strange wiring glitches, outlets that don't work, or light switches that don't seem to do anything. These idiosyncrasies may be things that you can live with, but not all electrical issues should be left alone. Find out what electricity-related problems to keep an eye out for, and how an electrical services professional can help you resolve them.

Have you ever had the experience of not being able to run two appliances in the same room at the same time? Say you're in the kitchen and you have the coffee maker going and you put something in the microwave to heat up. After a few seconds, both machines go dead and you have to trek down to the basement to reset the breaker that tripped.

In a different scenario, let's say you're in the bathroom using a hairdryer. You turn it on and then the lights go dim or start to flicker as the hair-dryer draws power. Nothing stops working altogether, but it's clear that the demand for power is exceeding the supply.

When you stop to think about it, the problem is not that there's not enough power available from your local utility. It's that the conduits for the power - i.e. your home's electrical wiring and panel - aren't in sync with the demands of the modern age. This is not only an annoying state of affairs: It's also a dangerous one.

If you find that there's not enough power in your home to run the appliances or lights that you need, don't ignore the problem. Constantly resetting tripped breakers or dealing with flickering lights are minor issues when compared to the danger of faulty wiring. If left untreated, old, worn out, or frayed wires could easily start fires, causing home damage, personal injury, and even death. If you live in an older structure and you are experiencing electrical problems, call your local electrical service specialist to come check out your electrical panel and/or wiring today.

Once on site, the electrical contractors will be able to assess the age and health of your wiring, and might either upgrade or change out your electrical panel. Your licensed electrician may advise an upgrade or change out for your panel if you have:

Insufficient electrical power, a previous electrical or wiring job that was not performed properly Panels contaminated by water or other foreign substances Old, dangerous panels or wiring
Making the necessary upgrades or changing out your panel will not only make things run better in your home. It will also make your house a safer place.

If you're having electrical issues, contact your local electrical contractor today. He or she will be able to assess the situation and make the necessary upgrades, repairs, or replacements so that your home runs the way it should.

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