Electrical Panels in Sterling, VA

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It should come as no surprise that the majority of homeowners give little to no thought to their electrical panels. After all, breaker boxes are typically located in out-of-the-way places. When they work as intended, they tend to stay out of sight and out of mind. When something goes wrong with an electrical panel, it can compromise the safety and efficacy of a home.

Don’t wait until things go seriously wrong to look into Electrical Panel Upgrades. That’s a recipe for disaster and can place the home and its residents at risk. It’s much smarter to call a local electrician, schedule an inspection, and get a professional opinion as to whether the breaker box needs to be upgraded before anything goes seriously wrong.

I definitely recommend Absolute Electric. They are first class. They’re committed to excellence, and delivering 5-Star service to their customers. If you need a residential electrician these guys are absolutely the best! It was a pleasure meeting this team of Advanced Electricians. I’ll see you guys at the top. - Aaron B.

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What Is an Electrical Panel?

Electrical panels, also referred to as breaker boxes, are small and unobtrusive, but they’re also the most essential component in any home electrical system. They take 100% of the power that comes from the grid and route it to the different electrical circuits running throughout the home. Each of these circuits is attached to a breaker switch, which will turn off when an electrical overload occurs.

Why Would Homeowners Want to Upgrade?

Because the change has happened relatively slowly, many Sterling, VA, residents don’t even notice how much more electricity they use every day than previous generations did. While it’s true that modern appliances have gotten more efficient, today’s families use a far wider range of electrical devices, all of which need to draw power from the home’s main electrical supply. From cell phones and laptops to smart home devices, the power drawn from all these modern amenities can add up and overload older panels.

In some cases, old homes that haven’t been inspected in decades might not even have acceptable, safe electrical panels. Electricians used to install fuse boxes instead, but that’s no longer considered safe and can dramatically increase the risk of electrical fires. If a home still relies on a fuse box to distribute power from the grid, it’s time to schedule an Electrical Panel Installation in Sterling, VA.

Signs It’s Time to Upgrade

It’s best not to wait until something serious goes wrong to upgrade a home’s electrical panel. Instead, homeowners should keep an eye out for early warning signs of trouble to come. The signs it’s time to upgrade an electrical panel can include one or more of the following.

Even modern electrical panels can only be expected to last 25 to 40 years. If the breaker box that’s currently in the home hasn’t been upgraded since it was built, the chances are good that it has already reached the end of its expected lifespan. Even if there aren’t any noticeable signs that the electrical panel is struggling to provide enough power, it’s wise to schedule a professional inspection to ensure it’s still operating safely.

Circuit breakers are designed to trip when part of the home starts to draw too much power all at once. Homeowners then visit the breaker box to flip the affected breaker back to the on position and allow the power to start flowing again.

While the occasionally tripped circuit breaker doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem, this process shouldn’t need to be repeated every day. If it seems like circuit breakers are constantly tripping, it’s time to upgrade the electrical panel and the home’s wiring.

Do the lights in one room start to flicker or dim when larger appliances turn on in the same area? If so, that’s a sure sign that the appliances, devices, and fixtures on the circuit are pulling too much power at once. In some cases, it may be possible to just add extra circuits. If the panel is also old, functioning inefficiently, or could pose a safety risk, it’s better to have it replaced.

Planning for Future Changes

Homeowners planning remodels or additions should always consult an electrician before starting the project. In many cases, it may be necessary to upgrade the electrical panel to accommodate new circuits. It’s also wise to consult an electrician before adding major appliances to any room of the home.

Electrical Panels in Sterling, VA

What Is an Electrical Panel?

Why Would Homeowners Want to Upgrade?

Signs It’s Time to Upgrade

OLD AGE

CONSTANTLY TRIPPED CIRCUIT BREAKERS

FLICKERING LIGHTS

​Planning for Future Changes

Planning for Future Changes