Breakers, safety switches, electrical panels are all terms frequently used when talking about electrical work. Let’s say you tried to plug in and turn on your new microwave and the light in your kitchen suddenly went out. Instead of a power outage, it’s most likely a tripped breaker.
Breakers automatically shut off power in case the electrical circuit overloads. All the electrical breakers of your house are located in the electrical panel. In other words, the electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system.
If you want to learn more about their function, replacement and maintenance, read on!
What Is An Electrical Panel?
The electrical panel is the linking part between the external wires coming from the street to the internal electrical wiring of your home. This is the metal box most people see built into a wall of their home, somewhere it isn’t easily noticeable. Within the electrical panel, you will find one main circuit breaker.
This breaker controls the power of your entire household. Then, we have the circuit brewers dedicated to each specific part of your home. Usually, these breakers are labeled to allow easier control.
If your home is older, it may have fuses instead of breakers. In that case, inside the electrical panel you will find screw-in fuses. It’s important to note that in single-family residences, the owner of the house is responsible for maintaining the electrical service panel. That’s why it’s worth understanding how they work and when/if they need to be replaced.
How Do Electrical Panels Differ In Size?
Electrical panel boards come in various sizes that cater to different amps of power. To determine which electrical panel size works for your home, you need to understand how the energy demands of your house affect the choice of the electrical panel.
Here is a quick overview of the most common electrical panel sizes, including their usage, benefits and drawbacks:
| Panel Size | Uses | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 100 Amp | Older, smaller homes | Cost-effective for basic electrical needs. Simple to install and maintain. | Limited capacity Less efficient (generates more heat) Phased out due to modern electrical demands |
| 200 Amp | Modern homes, commercial buildings | Meets modern electrical demands. Provides reliable protection. Generates less heat. Can accommodate future electrical additions. | Higher initial cost compared to 100 Amp panels |
| 300 Amp | Large residential homes, industrial and commercial applications | Handles very large electrical currents. Ideal for large electric motors, transformers. Efficient, less heat generation. Reduces energy costs. | Requires compatibility with existing electrical system Higher cost and complexity |
| 400 Amp | Large residential homes, industrial and commercial applications | Similar to 300 Amp in benefits. Can handle even larger electrical loads. Highly efficient and reliable. | Higher cost and complexity |
Electrical Panel Repair and Replacement
One of the most common repairs done on electrical panels involves removing and replacing a circuit breaker. If you notice that your circuit breakers are tripping too often, you should hire an electrician to check whether they need replacing.
However, if you are going to expand the electrical system of your house and add new electrical appliances, you most likely will need to upgrade your electrical panel. Some of the most common signs that you need to invest in electrical panel upgrades or repair include:
- Lights that flicker or dim too often,
- Frequent power surges and tripped circuit breakers,
- The electrical panel is rusty, broken or burnt,
- The electrical panel is making odd noises or emitting smoke,
- The electrical panel has become hot to the touch.
Electrical Panel Safety Tips
If you are going to attempt working on your electrical panel, there are some safety considerations you should keep in mind. If the outer door of the electrical panel service is closed, you can safely touch the service panel. Under normal conditions, if the service panel door is open and the circuit breaker switches are exposed, you can still safely touch the panel.
However, working on an open electrical panel when the protective front cover and the door are both opened, is very dangerous. Shocks from service lugs can seriously hurt you. Always keep in mind that electrical work can be extremely hazardous.
Without the proper techniques and adequate protective tools, you won’t be able to guarantee your safety. That is why we recommend that you always contact a professional electrician if your electrical panel requires repairs.
How To Find Your Electrical Panel?
Typically, electrical panels look like a gray metal box. In most cases, they are installed in a wall. Electrical panels are usually located in areas of the house where they won’t get in the way, like the basement, laundry or storage room, the garage, etc.
Sometimes, you need to check outside, especially if your house is older. If you live in an apartment, look somewhere near the entrance or right behind the door. If your house has several living units, you may have subpanels as well.
What To Do When There’s Something Wrong With Your Electrical Panel?
Electrical panel issues include tripped breakers, ground faults, lack of capacity, short circuits and even corrosion. Below you will find some simple tips on how to deal with these electrical panel problems.
A tripped circuit breaker
If a circuit becomes overloaded, the breaker will trip to prevent electrical hazards. Let’s say you are watching TV and heating your dinner in the microwave at the same time. If someone turns the laundry machine on at this time and the lights go out, that’s because the breaker has tripped due to overload.
Even if the electrical appliances are plugged into different outlets, the breaker will trip if they’re on the same circuit. Here’s what you can do if you’re dealing with a tripped circuit breaker:
- Turn off all the appliances that caused the circuit breaker to trip.
- Locate the electrical panel and open its door.
- Identify the tripped breaker. It should be the one stuck in the middle of the off and on position. The other circuit breakers should be still on.
- Then, flip the tripped breaker switch to the off position. Next, flip it back to the on position and you should be good to go.
Your electrical appliances should be able to work properly again. Just remember not to use all of them simultaneously to avoid another overload.
Sometimes, a tripped breaker can happen due to a short circuit. Short circuits happen when a “hot” wire (electrified wire) touches another hot or neutral wire. This can happen when you plug in an electrical appliance which has faulty circuitry or when an animal damages the electrical wiring.
Finding the cause of a short circuit can be pretty difficult, that’s why these issues should be handled with more care. Here is what you can do if you’re dealing with a short circuit:
- If you suspect that an electrical appliance caused the short, shut off the breaker responsible for that specific outlet.
- Then, check the power cord and the outlet for any signs of damage. Look for discoloration, burnt marks or burning smells.
- Unplug the device and see if the breaker resets properly. If that’s the case, you can safely conclude that the faulty device caused the short.
If you can’t identify any electrical appliances that may be causing the short, make sure to contact an electrician! You may need to repair your electrical wiring. We always recommend that you trust a professional to handle these kinds of electrical repairs.
Ground faults
To understand ground faults, we must first explain what “grounded” means. An object is grounded when the electrical current can flow through this object to the ground. Similarly to short circuits, ground faults occur if a “hot” wire touches a ground one. Ground faults can often occur due to water. If you drop a working electrical appliance in water, a ground fault will surely happen.
To interrupt ground faults we use GFCI outlets. These devices are designed to automatically cut the power if they detect a ground fault. GFCI outlets have a red and black button on them which are used to test and reset the outlet. If the GFCI trip, you should first unplug all the devices from it and then press the reset button.
Remember to rest your GFCI regularly throughout the year. If the GFCI fails to promptly cut the power in case of ground faults, make sure to call an electrician who can replace them!
Lack of capacity
If your house’s circuit breakers trip too often, you may be facing a capacity problem. There are two possible scenarios. If just one circuit breaker is tripping frequently, you can try moving some of the electrical appliances to another circuit to fix the overload issue.
If you don’t have enough circuits, you should contact an electrician. He will then decide whether it’s best to rewrite our circuit breakers or simply add more circuits.
However, if you notice that your breakers are tripping too often and your electrical panel is warm, it may be the case that your electrical system has reached its limit. In such a case, you will probably need to upgrade your electrical system as a whole.
Corrosion
Humidity can become a real concern when it comes to your electrical system. If your electrical panel or the wiring around it have become corroded, you should know that moisture is present. Corrosion that has only affected the frame or the door of the electrical panel is probably just fine. You can simply sand the metal box down and paint it.
However, if you notice corrosion around the circuit breaker switches or the wiring, you should make sure to contact an electrician. Moisture and electricity can pose a real threat. Don’t neglect these issues and hire a professional who can carry out a thorough inspection of the situation.
If you need assistance with your electrical panels or any other kind of electrical work, contact Greenway Electrical – Your Number 1 Electrical Contractor in New Jersey!