Top 3 Electrical Panel Myth's

Top 3 Electrical Panel Myth's

As an electrical contractor and electrician I hear alot of myths and it’s important to know the truth and not a myth. So let's clear those up once and for all. My top 3 Electrical Panel Myth Busters!

 

Myth #1: My circuit breakers never trip so my panel must be just fine.

 

Wrong! Especially if you have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco Brand electrical panel. These particular electrical panels are known to have faulty circuit breakers that will not trip out when they should. If your circuit breakers don't trip when they should you not only could have a major problem you will have a major problem! As you will see in the next myth you do not want to assume your panel is safe you need to KNOW that it is safe and capable of protecting your home properly. Just because you have never had to reset a circuit breaker doesn’t necessarily mean your panel is safe, it could be quite the opposite. Know your brand of panel, age, last maintenance, and ensure breakers are properly sized for the size of wire attached to them. This will all help you better understand the overall safety of your particular main electrical panel.  

 

Myth #2: You don't need a regular maintenance plan on your main electrical panel.

 

Wrong again! The manufacturer of the electrical panel clearly states that you should perform yearly maintenance on that electrical panel to make sure all connections are tight and safe. Think about it this way, your electrical panel is working 24 hrs a day 7 days a week 52 weeks a year to continuously deliver you power for your home. The wires, circuit breakers, and buss bar (what your breakers snap down on to send power to the individual circuit breakers) are constantly heating up and cooling down non-stop every second and every minute of every day. That heating up and cooling down process can effect the circuit breakers, wires attached to the circuit breakers, and the buss bar mentioned above by creating loose and or arcing connections.  An annual inspection and maintenance on your main electrical panel allows you to know the condition of those components and will allow your electrician to tighten all loose connections that occur from time to time due to this heating and cooling process. Most if not all electrical panel problems we run into (which are also some of the more costly repairs) could have been prevented with annual maintenance.  

 

Myth #3: I don't need surge protection installed in my electrical panel.

 

Wrong for the third time! A surge protector installed in your main electrical panel is one of the best investments you can make for your home. A surge protector installed in your main electrical panel will help protect the most valuable assets in your home that you are unable to protect with a point of use surge protector. For example your central heating and air conditioning system, hot tub, pool, dishwasher, clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator, garage door opener, etc.... Most if not all of these appliances and equipment go unprotected from surges. This one device can save you thousands of dollars and downtime in the event you experience a surge from your utility company, a wind storm, lightning strike, fallen power pole, fallen trees on power lines etc.... And it happens a lot more than you realize! We personally take dozens of calls a year where people have lost everything or most everything from an electrical surge. Do yourself a favor and install surge protection in your main electrical panel, you will thank me for this one day!

 

There you have my personal top 3 main electrical panel myth busters. I hope this helps you see the real truth regarding your electrical panel and the importance it carries in delivering you safe power 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Feel free to leave any comments we look forward to hearing from you.