An electrical panel works as a driving system of electricity in our homes. It has circuit breakers and some other elements that receive electricity from the distribution company. It then transfers electricity to our household electronics. That means you get electricity in every corner of your home, or anywhere you live with the help of an electrical panel. It provides electricity to every single electrical item, including the HVAC system, dishwasher, washing machine, dryers, water heater, refrigerator, etc. In short, an electrical panel is a mini power station inside your homes or workplaces to handle electrical power needs.

Furthermore, with the rising demand for electricity in your home, electrical panels can cause fire and damage. Also, electrical panels get corroded after some time and cause a malfunction due to poor connections, dust, etc. All these things put your property at risk and create problems like blowing fuses, tripping breakers, power surges, and more. That is why electrical panels require maintenance over time.    

Maintenance of an electrical panel

Maintenance of an electrical panel is vital for proper functioning. You should consult a professional for adequate maintenance, as it is not a DIY job. Electrical panels may get faulty and dirty after continuous use. So, you should schedule maintenance of your panel at least once every three years. Scheduled maintenance keeps an electrical panel functional and safe.

Professional electricians conduct a proper check by removing the outer cover. They inspect all components of the panel. They check the faulty connections and run a thermal check to ensure the right temperature level as high temperature around the panel is not right because it creates many issues. If anytime you feel high temperature, turn off the primary power source and call a professional.  

Types of electrical panels

Main breaker panel

The electricity you get in every part of your home, whether your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc. gets controlled by the main breaker panel. You can shut down the power of your home by this panel. It is also known as a distribution panel.

Fuse box

A Fuse box contains many small fuses and it prevents circuit overload. In case of excess power flow, the fuse gets cut. Fuse boxes are widely used in homes. If your house’s fuse box doesn’t allow sufficient power to run electrical devices, consider an upgrade.

The main logging panels

Main lug panels make use of lugs, and the line wires run into them. They are equipped with the main breaker. Users can connect the main lug panel to the breaker at the main panel, where the main lug panel operates as a sub-panel.

Subpanel

Subpanels work well when you want to use more circuits in the same area. They take power from the main panel and do not have dedicated disconnects. Subpanels let you manage power distribution in your home.

Transfer switches

Transfer switches are advantageous when you use power generators. They use a breaker panel to transfer the generator power to electrical power. These switches manually start the backup power generator in the event of a power outage.

Safety precautions while dealing with electrical panels

You can touch the panel when it is closed. You should always keep it covered.

Hire a professional in case of any electrical faults in the panel. Please do not touch the panel’s wires as it can cause a shock.

Clear your doubts about electrical panels. If you shut off the power from the main breaker, your household supply will shut off, and the power from electrical lines still exists in the panel.

You know touching electrical panels with your hand is risky. But you also have to be careful while using tools to handle panels as tools can touch the wires inside the panel and cause a shock.

Life of an electrical panel

Electrical panels are not designed to last forever. The life of an electrical panel depends on maintenance. Many damages and malfunctions occur in an electrical panel over time like wiring inside the panel can be loose, and a massive flow of current can create many issues. If you live in humid regions, corrosion can deteriorate the entire panel.

Your electrical panel will serve you for a long time if you maintain it regularly. You also have to upgrade your house’s electrical panel when you need a high power supply. For example, if you plan to install a hot tub or any other items that consume high power, then, in that case, you may need to consult your electrician for an upgrade.

Moreover, as I have already told you that maintaining an electrical panel is not a DIY job, please do not treat it like a light fixture and make frequent changes whenever you want. Your house service panel is a mini power station that transfers power in different parts of your home. So avoid making any changes to your panel. If you find any issue with the panel, call a licensed electrician to inspect the panel and make the required changes.

Home insurance requirements

You need to keep your electrical panel updated to get insurance claims. Your electrical panel should be up to date and have at least 100 amp circuit breakers. If you use a wrong or old electrical panel, many insurance companies may not provide the coverage or run an electrical inspection. So, keep your electrical panel maintained for a successful claim process.