Electrical circuit panel
Your breaker panel is basically your house’s control center as far as electricity goes, and being such, it is very important that you make sure that it is always performing at its best. With a broken panel, not only can you expect constant electrical fluctuations, but also poses a threat of becoming a fire hazard. In order to keep this from happening, it is highly recommended that you make it a point to regularly inspect your breaker panels.
Because of the dangers of improperly handling electrical repairs, it is imperative that you take all the precautions necessary for safety. This includes having the right equipment and safety gears like gloves and boots before starting any inspection.
There are several maintenance procedures that can be employed when checking your breaker panel, but the most common and easiest one would be the following.
First, make sure that you turn off all electrical equipment and appliances connected to specific circuits and unplug them from the electrical outlets. Breaker panels are always labeled according to specific circuits that they are servicing or areas of the house they power, so when you’re checking the kitchen for instance, unplug the refrigerator, microwave and other appliances before you get started. This will help to prevent any damage that may be caused by short-circuits.
Once done, it is time to work on the breaker panel. What you need to do is to switch the breaker on and off for at least three times. It is recommended that you give three seconds of interval in between the switching.
After this, you now plug back those appliances which you removed earlier. If the appliance doesn’t work, you may want to repeat the whole process and try again. If it still doesn’t then calling a certified electrician may be in order.
With regards to breaker panel maintenance, it is advisable to you turn your panel off at least once every year. Doing so will make sure that they will always be operating at their fullest. This also prevents the switch from getting stuck.
The above stated maintenance tips are pretty basic, but doing them will ensure that your electrical circuits will be in good condition and even prevent accidents and mishaps that may occur due to failed electrical systems. If you don’t have the time for such maintenance or would like a more in-depth inspection, then calling a professional is your next best bet.
