Your electrical panel performs an essential function in your home or commercial building, but you probably don’t think about it unless you’ve had a circuit trip. Then you might open the panel to reset the breaker. But how can you be sure that you’re doing so safely? The tips below can help you maintain safety and keep your panel in good condition.
Clear Labels
When it comes to old electrical panels, circuit labels can become illegible. They might even be inaccurate if items have been moved to different circuits. Your electrical panel should have a clear, accurate label for every circuit. This ensures that it’s possible to quickly identify a circuit when you need to. If there are any unused spaces on your panel, they should be covered with filler plates. This prevents contact with any live components and also keeps debris from getting into your panel.
Keep Access Clear
Your electrical panel should be easily accessible. A good rule is that there should be a minimum of three feet of clearance around your panel. In addition, it should be in a location where there is no moisture.
Know Safety Rules for Touching Panel
Make sure that the panel is not wet, you aren’t wet, and you aren’t standing in water if you need to touch anything on the panel. In addition, you should stand to one side of the panel and not in front of it if you’re resetting a tripped circuit. This is because there could be an arc flash. Finally, even if you’ve turned off the main breaker, don’t remove the cover yourself. This should only be done by an electrician because there might still be a flow of electricity.
Avoid Overloading Circuits
Circuits that often trip are more than just an annoyance. It can also be a fire hazard, including at the panel. In addition, frequently flipping the breaker switch to reset a circuit can wear it out. If your circuits are overloaded, you should have an electrician move some items to other circuits or install new circuits.
Know Signs of Trouble
If your electrical panel is warm or buzzing, you should have an electrician check it. A burning smell is another sign of trouble. Your panel should also be free of rust, corrosion, or scorch marks.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Having an electrician routinely examine your electrical panel can prevent some of these problems from ever developing. In addition, it may make it possible to catch safety issues before they become serious. In commercial properties, where usage is heavy, inspection should be every one to five years. For older homes, annual inspection is a good idea. If your home is newer, every five years or so is sufficient.
Keeping your electrical panel in good condition is one important key to safety in your home or commercial building. By following the guidelines above and consulting an electrician when necessary, you can maintain that safety. If you have concerns or require electrical panel services, contact Duryea in Holyoke, MA.
