Most modern panels house anywhere from 20-42 circuit breakers, which are safety switches that can protect your electrical circuits from damage. If your circuit breakers are properly installed and maintained, they should last for decades. There are, however, several things that can damage a circuit breaker. If you notice signs that one or more of your circuit breakers need to be replaced, call our electricians at Mister Sparky immediately to ensure you avoid an electrical fire.
Your Electrical Panel Is Old
If you live in an older home, you may have an outdated panel. Electrical panels should be replaced every 25-35 years. If you call our technicians, we can inspect your existing electrical panel and circuit breakers to determine if you need to make an upgrade.
Circuit Breakers Trip Frequently
Circuit breakers are designed to maintain consistent performance. You should rarely need to deal with them. If, however, one of the circuit breakers in your electrical panel is tripping frequently, this may be a sign of a more serious problem. For example, regular tripping might indicate that there’s too much electrical demand on the affected circuit. You may need to move a few of your appliances and devices to other circuits.
Your breaker may also be failing altogether. If you can’t reset the tripped breaker, it’s highly recommended that you contact an electrician to troubleshoot the issue. A failed breaker can lead to additional problems like overloading, short circuits, and power surges.
Power Delivery Is Fluctuating
Your appliances should always receive a consistent level of electricity. If you notice that the power distribution throughout your home is fluctuating, damaged circuit breakers may be the cause. Keep in mind, however, that this problem can also result from bad wiring or a faulty electrical panel.
There’s a chance that your appliance is the reason for poor electrical flow. Smaller appliances like fans don’t regulate the flow of electricity well. If one of your appliances oscillates in how well it runs, try plugging it into a different outlet. If this doesn’t fix the issue, you may need to replace the appliance. On the other hand, a circuit breaker could be damaged if moving to another outlet resolves the problem.
Inadequate Amp Wiring
If you start having problems with one of your circuit breakers, check the number of amps that are running through the wiring. You can typically find this information on the top of the electrical panel. In older homes, panels may only be equipped to handle 60 amps of power. Any electrical panel with less than 100 amps should be replaced. Modern appliances require much more than 60 amps of power. You may benefit from using a panel that supports 200 amps.
Physical Damage
Do you see scorch marks and other signs of damage around a circuit breaker? This indicates that the wiring that connects to the breaker may have melted. Keep in mind that a melted wire can cause a house fire. Before you call an electrician, unplug any appliances or fixtures that are connected to the damaged breakers.
Burning Scent
If you detect a burning smell in your home, try to find its source. If the scent is at its strongest around your panel, the insulation and wires that make up your electrical system could be overheating. In this scenario, the circuit breakers aren’t doing their job. You should turn off your main power immediately to ensure a fire doesn’t develop.
Flickering Lights
A single flickering light indicates that a bulb is loose. If multiple lights in your home are flickering or dimming, a failing circuit breaker may be the cause. The wiring that connects to your lights might also be damaged. You should contact an electrician if replacing the bulb doesn’t fix the issue.
Corrosion Buildup
If you notice any corrosion around your circuit breakers, the affected ones should be replaced immediately. When a breaker becomes corroded, it’s more likely that a house fire will start.
Contact Mister Sparky
If you have a circuit breaker that needs to be replaced, consider our electrical services. At Mister Sparky, our highly trained technicians deliver on-time service and transparent pricing. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our electrical offerings.