Electrical Panel Safety

The electrical panel is the powerhouse of every home. This means it is vital to make sure your panel is always in tip-top shape!

What is it?

The electrical panel is the metal box usually built into a wall in your house, filled with circuit breakers. Each circuit breaker has designated circuits assigned to specific areas or electrical components within the house. These breakers can be manually toggled on and off to shut off power to a circuit. However, the main purpose of these breakers is to switch off automatically (trip) if too much electrical current runs through them. In other words, they prevent damage to the circuit and reduce fire potential.

Why is regular monitoring important?

The electrical panel is essentially the thing that manages the power distribution throughout your house, and like most things in your home, it requires regular inspection and maintenance. A properly working electrical panel can help prevent a damage to expensive home devices and significantly reduce the risk of fire.

Now you may be wondering, how do I know if my panel is in top working condition? Well first, think about the age of your electrical panel. The average lifespan of a panel is 25-40 years, so if yours is in the high end of, or above, this range you may want to examine it a bit closer. Electrical panels often will present visual signs of issues. This may include rust or physical damage, smells, sounds, or feeling warm/hot to the touch. You may also notice signs of issues throughout your home, like flickering lights or breakers tripping when you plug something in. These are obvious indications that there may be problems with your panel. However, even if you have no clear warning of rising issues, regularly maintenance will make sure it stays that way.

That’s what Columbia River Electric Maintenance is here for! We’ve compiled a checklistof questions you should be asking when inspecting your electrical panel. If you answer yes to any of these questions, or if you have any lingering questions regarding your electrical panel, give us a call at (509) 215-2736 or contact us.