Thousands of children suffer electrical-related injuries in the home every year. Preventing those accidents begins with strong electrical panel safety and maintenance.
Modernize Your Electrical Panel
Modern electrical panels are safer and deliver higher energy efficiency. You likely need a panel replacement if your current system is older than 25 years. Homeowners should also consider replacement if their panel coverage is 100 amps or less or their panel lacks modern features, such as surge protection.
Maintain a Clear, Dry Space for Your Home’s Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel closet or area should be free of any clutter or combustible materials. High humidity is the leading cause of panel corrosion, so consider a dehumidifier if you struggle to maintain relative humidity at 60% or less. Child-proof the main panel door and any subpanel doors. If the panel room has an entry door, child-proof it as well.
Check Your Panel at Least Once a Month
At least once a month, check the electrical panel and the space it resides in. This is an opportunity to dust, clear clutter, and monitor for potential warning signs. Those indications include visible damage, buzzing sounds, heat, and so on.
Schedule Regular Whole-Home Electrical Inspections
Even if you don’t notice problems, you should schedule a comprehensive electrical inspection at least every several years. An electrician will perform safety and code-compliance checks. They’ll also test the panel, perform load calculations, calibrate the system, and so forth.
Don’t Repeatedly Reset Circuit Breakers
As a general rule, no circuit breaker should trip more than once a month. If you experience more frequent trips, don’t continue to reset the breaker, as it could indicate a serious problem. It may be as simple as a worn breaker you’ll need to replace, but it could also indicate an overloaded circuit or other panel-related problem.
Practice Good Surge Protection Habits
All modern homes should have panel-integrated Type 2 surge protection. That device protects the panel, your wiring, and all your devices connected to the system. Schedule an inspection if there’s a surge protection device (SPD) activation or warning light. Even if you don’t experience any issues, schedule an SPD inspection at least once a year.
Practice Good GFCI and AFCI Protection Habits As Well
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices protect people from electrical shocks. Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) devices protect against electrical fires, such as those caused by arcing. Schedule GFCI and AFCI outlet replacement as soon as those devices begin to trip often or become difficult to reset.
Your home’s breaker box is the central component of your entire electrical system. With good habits and routine maintenance, you can keep your kids and pets safe and improve your energy efficiency. If you live in Billings, MT or a surrounding area and need electrical panel services, make your first call to Town & Country Electric.
