Also known as electrical panels, circuit breaker boxes provide around-the-clock overload protection. Your circuit breaker box has 20 to 42 circuit breakers that safely distribute power to each major appliance and every area of your home. During an electrical overload, circuit breakers make audible clicking sounds, switch into the “OFF” position, and break their circuits. This prevents overheating, electrical fires, and electrocution. If your breakers frequently trip or malfunction, it’s time to replace them. There are several ways to know when circuit breakers have reached the end of their service lives.
Top Circuit Breaker Replacement Signs
Advanced Age
Circuit breaker boxes can last 30 to 40 years. However, frequent overloads, unprotected power surges, and various environmental conditions can shorten their lifespans. For instance, if your home is excessively humid, you might see rust and other corrosion on and in your breaker box. Rust and corrosion create electrical resistance in panels and could lead to overheating and fire.
If you haven’t replaced your breaker box in more than three decades, now is the time to do so. If your circuit breaker box is 20 years old or older, have it inspected annually. Our electricians can assess its condition and recommend the best time for replacement.
Frequently Tripped Circuit Breakers
Tripped circuit breakers are evidence of electrical problems. You may have a malfunctioning device or appliance, or you may have too many items plugged into a single circuit. You can usually resolve minor problems with electrical overload by better distributing your power demand. This might mean moving a lamp or television to another location or having a faulty electronic replaced or repaired.
However, if you can’t troubleshoot an overload and your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s important to call an electrician. Your electrical panel might not have the right capacity for your home or it may be damaged.
Visible Damage
In addition to rust and other corrosion, you may see singe marks on or in your breaker box. Singe marks are evidence of extreme overheating and require immediate attention.
If you open your breaker box and find beads of moisture on the panel or the panel door, contact Mister Sparky. Don’t try to shut your breakers off or wipe the panel dry on your own. Your home’s relative humidity could be too high or you may have a plumbing or roof leak depositing water in the area.
Problems Using Major Appliances
If your home appliances are correctly installed and in good condition, you should be able to use them without tripping a circuit breaker. When using home appliances causes their breakers to trip, you need an electrician. This could mean that your panel is outdated and incapable of supporting your appliances. It can also indicate age or wear-related issues with your circuit breakers.
Odd Smells
Whenever you find singe marks or see thin, white smoke around breakers or other electrical features throughout your home, you’ll also pick up the tell-tale odor of burning plastic, rubber, or wires. Some people describe this odor as being slightly sweet with a metallic tang. Others describe it as fishy.
Loud Buzzing Sounds
Buzzing noises at your breaker box mean that too much electrical current is passing through a breaker. Worse still, the related breaker cannot trip. With a defective circuit breaker, your home lacks overload protection. If the overload isn’t corrected, the defective breaker could overheat and cause an electrical fire.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
Flickering or dimming lights are an indication of electrical problems. You might have a worn or damaged breaker or it may be time to upgrade your electrical panel. Although flickering lights are a minor irritation, everything that’s hardwired or plugged into your electrical system sustains minor damage with each flicker. These mini power surges can shorten the lifespans of your entire electrical system and your electronics.
Outdated Amp Wiring
Check the amperage of your electrical panel. You’ll find this number at the very top of the panel. Modern homes need 200 wiring amps or greater to support all of their modern gadgets and appliances. If you have a 60-amp electrical panel, you should schedule a panel upgrade today.
Outlet Problems
Outlets that smoke or spark, have visible singe marks, or emit strange, burning odors are fire hazards. You may have outlet problems or a faulty electrical panel.
You Have a Fuse Box Instead of a Breaker Box
Fuse boxes serve the same function as circuit breaker boxes. However, rather than having movable breakers, fuse boxes have replaceable fuses. Fuse boxes were replaced by circuit breakers in the 1960s, but many homes still have them. When properly maintained, a fuse box could last 50 years or more.
Even if you aren’t having problems with electrical overloads or noticing symptoms like melted wiring, rust, and singe marks, you should have your fuse box replaced. Installing a circuit breaker box will bring your home up to date with the latest National Electrical Code (NEC) and give you far better overload protection.