The lights are flickering in your home. Power surges are happening more often. You go to your circuit breaker box and flip a few switches to restore the electricity, and all is well again.

But did you know those electrical glitches can be indicative of a faulty breaker box?

Chief’s Speciality Services, Electric Plus, LLC, formerly Honeybadger Electric, wants homeowners to be safe and prevent fire hazards by keeping their circuit breaker box up to federal regulatory standards and getting repairs when problems arise.

“Electrical malfunctions can cause house fires. It’s really about being safe in your home. Electrical malfunctions can also lead to expensive electrical equipment and appliances sustaining serious damage,” said Yvette Love, owner of Chief’s Specialty Services. “We’ve seen some extensive damage due to faulty electrical systems. Having electrical issues can cause issues that range from safety and expense to causing major inconveniences.”

One preventative measure homeowners can take is to have their circuit breaker box inspected, and then serviced if there are problems.

Breaker 101

The main circuit breaker panel is often compared to a big switch that safely distributes the supply of power to your house. The circuit breaker box also houses other smaller sub-switches that connect with specific areas of your house. These small switches are called breakers, and their function is to ensure electrical safety.

Here are some common issues electricians often see in breaker panels:

  • If the panel does not have sufficient electrical capacity for the needs of your home, you’ll have noticeable issues such as power surges or flickering lights.
  • If there are signs of damage to your panel box, such as rust, corrosion, or water damage that can occur from humidity, it is time for repairs or replacement from a professional.
  • If your panel box is aged or old, upgrading can increase the value of your home and give you the reassurance that your home is electrically safe.
  • Older homes built in the ’80s and before may have 100-amp panel boxes, instead of 200-amp panel boxes, which isn’t enough to meet the home’s needs.
  • Tangled wires, crossed wires and an overcrowded messy panel box is indicative of a need for an upgrade.

Constant issues may point to the age of the home and circuit breaker box especially if a Federal Pacific Electrical (FPE) panel was installed in home in the 1980s.

“At the time they were UL-approved, and they were supposed to be more convenient because breakers didn’t trip if you overloaded your circuit. It’s hazardous,” said Yvette Love, owner. “There were enough house fires so the UL revoked their approval, but there are tens of thousands of them still in use, and they aren’t safe.”

Additionally, if you see several missing or mislabeled switches, frayed wires, or double-tapped breakers, these can be hazards and need a professional inspection.

If you have concerns about your circuit breaker box, Chief’s Specialty Services offers free inspections and estimates, and are ready to assist in making your home safer. Click here to make an appointment.

Check out this video of Chief’s Specialty Services at work.

Chief’s Specialty Services offers commercial and residential services in Clarksville, Sango, Woodlawn, Adams, Cumberland Heights, Port Royal and more.

Contact Chief’s Specialty Services at 931-561-9636 or by email at office@chiefsspecialty.com.

Follow them on Facebook for updates and special offers.