Is my fusebox safe?

All homeowners deserve to know the problems outdated electrical panels may present.

Older Panels Can’t Handle Current Society’s Electrical Demands

Older Homes with outdated electrical panels can’t handle the electrical needs of today’s current society. In the past, a 60-amp service was considered more than enough. Today people’s power requirements are much greater.

Among a variety of older panels, there are two distinct types that electricians will recommend upgrading the most. They offer unique problems for homes. These two types of panels are fuse boxes and split-buss panels.

1. Fuse boxes were the precursor to the panel box. If an overcurrent or short circuit occurred, a fuse would pop and have to be replaced. This is where problems regularly occur. When replacing the blown fuse, especially if it routinely happened, people would:
• For example, replace a 15 amp fuse with a 20 or 30 amp fuse. That creates a massive fire hazard; the wires are not able to handle that much electricity and heat!
• Insert a coin, usually a penny, where the blown fuse once was. That possibly presents an even larger fire hazard. That fuse can never pop, no matter how much electricity surges through it. It leaves the home open to the potential for a fire risk.
2. Split-buss panels present a unique challenge as well. Namely, these panels do not have a main breaker; instead they have s smaller breaker feeding the bottom half of the panel. These smaller breakers have been known to melt or burn due to the excessive demand placed on them. Today, split-buss panels probably would not be UL listed and would not be considered a safe option.

Outdated Electrical Panels May Leave Home Open to Troubles

Today’s society depends more than ever on electricity. Everything seems to be electric. It’s extremely prevalent in homes now. Most people have at least one computer, several televisions, a stereo system, cell phones, clock radios and the list continues. All of these devices require electricity to function.

More than half of the homes today were constructed before the 1970′s, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That means more than half were built decades before many of these modern, electronic conveniences even were invented. Most of these older homes possessed no more than a 60-amp electrical service. Today, homes should have at least 150 amps.

These facts point to a problem – older homes, unless their electrical system has been upgraded, are being overburdened. These outdated electric systems and panels cannot safely handle the demands of today’s society.

What Should A Homeowner Do?

Electrical Contractors, like Dixie Electric Company, Located in Your Community Can Help! The circuit breaker panel is one of the most important parts of a home’s electrical system. It constantly distributes and receives electricity. The panel protects homes from power surges and other possible hazards. With regular maintenance by a licensed electrician, experts say that today’s electrical panels can function properly and protect homes for 30 years or more.

For this information and more please visit: www.ismypanelsafe.com