There is no apparent cause for the flickering of your lights? Or perhaps you put on the microwave with the space heater and the breaker trips. Then there are the times you put a hand to an outlet cover and it is warmer than it ought to be.
When such things happen, it is the electrical panel making its presence known. We at Palomino Valley Electric put Reno homeowners in a position to know what their system is up to and whether those are indications of a more serious matter. For a professional opinion, one can reach us at (775)-406-7117.
You would be surprised how often an overloaded panel is found in an older Reno home that was never intended to cope with today’s electronics and appliances. The insidious thing is the warning signs have a way of presenting themselves well in advance of any drama. Put an eye on them and you can avoid some expense and trouble, not to mention danger.
What an Overloaded Panel Means
In a sense the electrical panel is the heart of the power in your home; it receives the electricity and puts it where it needs to go on the various circuits. But every circuit has its limit and if you put more on it than it was made for, the panel will have difficulty. These days a household has everything from a gaming system to the refrigerator and air conditioner all drawing power at once. Many of the panels we see in Reno were put in decades ago and are not suited to that sort of load.
The Most Common Warning Signs
An overloaded panel will typically offer you enough hints. Reno homeowners would do well to be on the lookout for:
- Breakers going off with some regularity, even a few times a week
- Large appliances causing the lights to dim or flicker
- An outlet or switch plate that is warm
- Some crackling or a buzz from the panel
- Discoloration or scorch marks on covers and outlets
- A burning odor in the vicinity of the panel or an outlet
- Power strips and extension cords in just about every room
One of these by itself is something to note, but when you have several it is plain the panel requires a professional to evaluate it.
Why Reno Homes Are at Risk
Reno has its share of new builds as well as older, established neighborhoods. In the latter you may find original wiring and amperage that cannot keep up with the central air, home office and electric vehicle charger a family might put in. Newer homes are no exception; build a house for one kind of life and then add a workshop and heavy duty appliances and the panel is asked to do more than it should. It is not so much the age of the home as the amount of power the panel is being called upon to put out on a daily basis.
The Dangers of Not Paying Attention
It is more than an annoyance. Left to it, the strain on an overloaded panel will take its toll on the wiring and breakers and you run the risk of an electrical fire. A breaker is there to protect your home by tripping, yet under unrelenting stress a panel can stop performing as it should.
We find that an early detection makes for an easy fix. Let it go until something gives way and a repair that could have been handled is now a costly affair.
Your Next Step
A licensed electrician should be the one to look over the panel if you have seen any of the above. He can check the wiring and breakers, put a number to the load and advise if an upgrade is in order for your home. Do not make the mistake of opening the panel to try and figure it out; leave that kind of work to someone trained to handle the risks involved.
Palomino Valley Electric is your local, insured and licensed choice for Reno, NV. We are here 24/7 so a breaker that will not stay on or an outlet running hot does not have to be a source of worry. With a 4.8 star rating from 200 plus Google reviews our standing is evident. We provide free estimates without any hard sell and stand behind what we do with a 100% guarantee.
Do not let a minor matter get out of hand. To have our team ensure your Reno home is in good shape, give Palomino Valley Electric a ring at (775)-406-7117.