Flipping the Switch on Circuit Breaker Maintenance
As any homeowner knows, a house is a major commitment. The financial outlay you invest in your home requires that you maintain the property through regular upkeep routines. Some routines call for a spot of elbow grease or a call to a service specialist; other maintenance chores are simple checkpoints. Your electric circuit-breaker panel falls under the latter. Because this box is your central electricity switch, providing protection against dangerous electric faults, you need to make sure you know how to use it and that it functions appropriately. Here is how you can take charge of minimal circuit-breaker panel maintenance.
Educate Yourself
The first step you need to take is to learn about your breaker box. It consists of breaker switches that trip (flip to an off position) to cut off the flow of electricity to wires that become overloaded. Panels vary in the number of breakers they contain, which relates to the amount of electricity that they can manage. This flow is measured in amps. The greater the number of appliances and electronics in a house, the bigger the box required. The minimum requirement for a home is 100 amps.
Note Electrical Issues
Keep a record of various electrical concerns you have or issues you encounter. If your service panel is not appropriately sized for your house, you may notice the following: lights dimming when you turn on an appliance; flickering television images; circuits tripping and shutting off power to an outlet; or the necessity of plugging many appliances into a surge protector. These can be signs of impending fire issues. When these symptoms occur, you need to look into a new circuit breaker installation Philadelphia that can handle a greater load. You may also have to have additional electrical lines installed at the same time.
Perform Limited Service
If your circuit-breaker box is functioning well, you can keep it doing so by performing a task twice a year. Flip all switches off then on again, a chore that will ensure they keep their contact points clean. You should also be prepared to re-engage a switch that has tripped. Make sure the ground and your hands are dry and keep one hand in your pocket in case a short circuit caused the breaker to trip; you do not want to provide a path-of flow for electricity. If the breaker continues to trip, you need to call in an electrician to investigate.
Many homeowners fear electricity, understandably. However, you can educate yourself about the functioning of your home’s circuit breaker service panel. This preparation will boost your confidence so that you can reset breakers as necessary and determine when you need to call in professionals.
