Breaker panel wiring is perhaps one of the most important parts of your home’s wiring system. If there is a problem here, it could lead to a fire as well as the risk of your electrical system failing extensively. The only way to know for sure that your electrical system is working properly and that your breaker panel wiring is safe is to have an experienced, licensed electrician take a closer look at it.

The breaker panel wiring in your home is the hub of your electricity. This panel helps to direct where and how electricity flows through your home, and it can play a very important role in keeping your electricity functioning well. It also has a lot of electricity running through it. If you are unsure of whether or not it is working, it is always best to call an electrician. Troubleshooting this panel on your own can be risky.

Just by looking at your breaker panel’s wiring, you may be able to pinpoint specific areas of concern. There are a few key things to look for and to take action against if you do spot them. This includes:

It is estimated that each year around 3,500 Americans die in home fires and 20,000 are injured. A leading type of home fires is the electrical fire. This is especially true in regards to manufactured homes. When it comes to breaker panel fires, there are currently two different brands of panels that have known manufacturing flaws that puts anyone with one of these panels at risk for an electrical fire. Zinsco panels and Federal Pacific Electric panels are known for the dangers that they pose. In addition to these two brands, there are also many people who have panels older than 40 years old that may not provide the protection that is needed to protect their homes properly from electrical dangers. If your home has one of these panels, you should get in touch with an electrician in Pasadena right away to ensure that the proper steps are taken to safeguard you and your family.

Federal Pacific Electric Company (FPE) Panels

The FPE was one of the largest circuit breaker panel manufacturers in North American from the 1950s to the 1980s. As time went on, many electricians discovered the dangers that these panels posed to the families that they were supposed to protect. It is now known that FPE panels may appear to work for many years, but can overheat and become a fire hazard after only one short circuit or overcurrent.

If you have a breaker that fails to trip whenever it is supposed, it can allow an incredible amount of electricity to enter your home from your electrical utility company. Whenever this happens, it can lead to severe overheating and electrical fires. As a result, many panels such as these older FPE panels can eventually catch on fire, leading to a very serious issue for any homeowner.

Zinsco Panels

Zinsco panels were also very common at one point in time. Although there are not many of them remaining, they can be very dangerous in the modern setting. These panels are simply not designed to handle the amount of electricity that we use every day.

For more information on electrical panels, (Click Here), or to schedule an electrical panel upgrade, call our team at The Electric Connection today.

Every year it seems that the home is becoming “smarter” and more “automated”. We have televisions that can be interacted with remotely, speakers we can play in another room, and thermostats that can be adjusted across the country. These programmable and remotely adjustable thermostats are not only convenient, but they are efficient.

Most homes that haven’t seen electrical upgrades in a few years are likely equipped with an older thermostat that has to be adjusted manually. This has been acceptable for many years as we integrated the adjusting of the thermometer into our nightly routines. Each night before going to sleep many people would lower the thermometer to reduce their electrical usage at night.

Now, with programmable thermostats you can set schedules so that it automatically increases or decreases the temperature in the home. This helps build the optimal schedule for your home and reduce electrical waste by heating the home only when it is needed.

With the increased adoption of smart devices and wi-fi in homes all over the world, “smart” thermostats are the latest and greatest in home automation. These little devices connect through the home’s wi-fi network, which allows you to control them through a smart phone app. This enables them to be adjusted from anywhere. For example, if a day trip is going long and you won’t be home until late in the evening, you can lower the temperature in the home earlier than scheduled to maximize efficiency. With your home’s thermostat at the touch of a finger anywhere – savings are completely in your control.

Installing a new thermostat can seem like an easy job, but once the old one is removed the amount of wires can be overwhelming to the average handyman. Depending on the age of the home and wiring, the wires going to the thermostat may need to be upgraded for compatibility with the new thermostat. When shopping for a new thermostat don’t just review the features of the product, but ensure you are familiar with the specifications and requirements. For assistance in understanding the requirements of a new thermostat and electrical installation, contact your local Expert Electric.

There are many different ways to start saving on electricity in your home. Smart decisions can lead to big decreases in monthly energy bill. Smart thermostats are just one of the ways that savings can be put back in your hands. Contact you local Expert Electric at 604-681-8338 for more information.