Your home’s electrical panel is one of the most important parts of your home. It’s responsible for distributing power to all of the electrical devices in your home, and keeps the entire electrical system online and running smoothly.
If you’re a homeowner, it’s important to understand how the electrical panel works in case of an emergency. That way, if something does go wrong, you can take a look at the electrical panel and be able to respond appropriately.
For issues that need more professional expertise, contact At Home Pros to get in touch with licensed electricians and electrical contractors in your area who can help you with all of your home’s electrical needs.
Locate the Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel is usually located in the basement or garage, but it can also be located in a closet or utility room. Since it is not a part of the house you need to access on a regular basis, it’s usually tucked out of the way and is not always located in the same place from house to house.
Look in the corners of your house, like in your basement or utility shed, and find a large metal box with a door that opens. Inside, you will find rows of breakers — sometimes labeled, sometimes not. After you’ve located the electrical panel and gotten it open, you should look for the main breaker.
Identify the main breaker
The main breaker is the largest breaker in your electrical panel. It’s most commonly located at the top of the panel, and it’s responsible for turning off all of the power to your home at once.
Your first task is to figure out which one, in the rows and rows of breakers, is the main breaker. Next, you’ll want to identify the different circuit breakers and to what part of the house they are connected.
Identify the circuit breakers
Each circuit breaker in your electrical panel is responsible for a different circuit in your home. For example, there might be one circuit breaker for the lights, a different circuit breaker for the outlets, and still another circuit breaker for the appliances. Most of the time, these are labeled.
Usually, an electrical panel has a corresponding list that identifies which area the circuit breaker controls. Often, entire rooms (i.e, “kitchen”) or specific appliances (“refrigerator”) are labeled. It all depends on how and when your home was first wired.
Other than the main breaker and smaller circuit breakers, there are also a lot of busbars — metal strips that carry electrical current and hold the circuit breakers. Other panels may have one single busbar. But once you know which circuit breaker goes to which area or appliance, you can make a plan of action.
Have electrical panels Inspected
It’s a good idea to have your electrical panel inspected by a qualified electrician every few years. This will help to ensure that your panel is in good condition and that it’s safe to use. If you’re going to sell your home, eventually, it will be inspected one way or another.
It’s usually not a good idea to DIY your own electrical issues, but if you must, be careful when working around your panel. Always turn off the power before working on it. And never touch any of the wires or components inside the panel unless you’re qualified to do so. If you have any questions about your electrical panel, contact a qualified electrician.
An electrician or other professional can help you understand how your panel works and answer any questions you have. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your home’s electrical panel remains safe and reliable.
Common electrical system mistakes include corrosion, outdated fuse boxes and overloaded circuits.
- Corrosion: During most home inspections, rust on the electrical panel is a sure sign of corrosion on the inside. Rust or corrosion occurs even with closed panels, and weakens connections between wires, damaging breakers and creating fire hazards.
- Overloaded panels or circuits: Most circuits you find in an average house are rated for 15- or 20-amps, and circuits can only handle about 80% of the amperage, an important fact that many overlook. In reality, a 15-amp circuit can handle only about 12 amps, and a 20-amp circuit only 16.
- Outdated fuse box: All residential fuse boxes are old because it’s outdated technology. Without regular maintenance, your fuse box falls apart, and 60-amp maximum capabilities are usually not sufficient for the energy demands of the modern household.
The right electrical upgrade can absolutely change the way you experience your home, but you should never undertake electrical projects without the help of a professional as they can be very dangerous. However, a simple understanding of the layout of your electrical panel is always useful.
At Home Pros is a perfect jumping-off point for any renovation project, whether you’re planning to do it yourself or call in a professional. Plus, local contractors can help you check about local building codes and permits. Next time you need help with your home’s electrical system, let At Home Pros put you in touch with experts you can trust.