Great Reasons for Getting a Heavy-Up Before Winter – Part 2

As discussed in Part 1, a heavy-up (electrical panel upgrade) before winter will help ensure the safety of your family throughout the holiday season when electrical loads jump dramatically.

Part 2 will discuss Electrical Odors, Fuse Box, Overusing Power Strips, Tripping Breakers, and Warm Electrical Panels. Work with an experienced licensed electrician for your safety and best results.

Electrical Odors

Don’t ignore electrical burning odors coming from an electrical panel. This could indicate a faulty circuit breaker or improperly connected wiring. In either case, there may be a serious hazard with the potential for an electrical fire.

Fuse Box

Homes with fuse boxes were typically built before 1960. If this is the case for your house, electricians recommend that you install an electrical panel with circuit breakers. Fuses that blow require replacement, while circuit breakers just need an easy flip of the switch to reset. Insurance companies consider circuit breakers safer and will charge less for coverage.

Overusing Power Strips

Homes that have numerous extension cords and power strips because there aren’t enough wall outlets are less safe. Adding wall outlets in every area a home needs more may require upgrading the existing electrical panel to handle the greater demand for power.

Tripping Breakers

An electrical panel that crackles or has circuit breakers that trip often may require replacement. Tripping sometimes occurs when too many appliances are plugged into a circuit causing an electrical overload. As a safety measure, power is cut off to prevent the overheating of wires. A new electrical panel may be needed to handle the existing load.

Warm Electrical Panels

A serious warning sign is when an electrical panel feels warm to the touch. It may indicate overloading, a faulty panel, or an improper installment. Any of these three symptoms may require an upgrade.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991 and serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services you can trust, including:

• Standby Generator Installation
• Panel Upgrades (Heavy-Ups)
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
• Structured Cabling
• Circuit Breaker Replacement

Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.