The air conditioner comes on and your lights flicker? You have to be at the panel resetting breakers in order to put the hair dryer and microwave on together? A hand on the electrical box and it is warm?
Then perhaps your panel is putting out some signals. We of Raynor Services can tell you when a panel is having trouble; our licensed, insured technicians have been at this for years and know what to look for. For over 25 years we have done electrical work for homeowners in Southern New Jersey. Put in a call to (609) 845-0648 and let one of our people have a professional eye on things.
In a way the panel is the heart of the home’s electrical system, directing power to all the outlets, appliances and lighting. As it gets on in years or can no longer meet what a contemporary home requires, there are indications if one is observant. Here is what you should be on the lookout for.
Breakers That Will Not Stay Put
Now and then a breaker will trip, that is how it is meant to be. Yet if you are making a habit of going to the panel to flip them back on, something else is at play.
More often than not it is because the panel is not up to the load of the house. There are many more devices in use now than there were in homes decades ago and an older panel was not put in place for such demand. Be aware of any of the following:
- Two appliances running and a breaker gives out
- One circuit after another goes down
- It takes some doing to reset them
- The breaker is warm
- Tripping with little use of the system
Lights Dimming or Flickering
When you put on a large appliance and the lights go dim you have an overloaded panel. The voltage has to give for an instant as the system is put to the test.
You will see some flickering in a storm but every time the HVAC or the dryer cycles and the lights do it is cause for concern.
A Fuse Box
Fuses are a thing of the past for the modern household even though they are still to be found in a good number of older properties in Burlington, Ocean, Atlantic and Camden Counties. If you are in the habit of changing fuses, or have had the urge to put in one with too high a rating, you would be wise to make the change to a breaker panel. Such a shortcut is a fire hazard.
Scorch Marks or Burning Smells
Do not ignore this. An odor of burning by the panel, scorching on an outlet or discoloration of the box means you should shut it off and get a professional on the phone. Overheating or arcing within the panel is a prime reason for electrical fires.
We are here 24/7, so you can reach us at (609) 845-0648 day or night.
Age of the Panel
There is a limit to how long a panel will last, say a few decades. Some of the older makes have safety issues and were never intended for the way we live. An upgrade is called for under these circumstances:
- The original panel is in a home of 30 years or more
- You have put in a new HVAC, hot tub or EV charger
- No room is left for circuits
- You have not had an inspection done
Extension Cords and Power Strips
They are an easy fix for a lack of circuits but nothing more than a workaround. In the long run it is not safe. With an upgraded panel you can put in the circuits you need and have your outlets do their job.
The Case for an Upgrade
It is a matter of capacity and reliability, to say nothing of safety. And it puts your home in a position to take on electric vehicle charging or solar in the future.
Raynor Services is a woman-led, family business. Before any of our technicians set foot in your home they have to clear a background check and show their proficiency. We will not have you wondering about hourly charges; our pricing is up front and we guarantee your satisfaction.
See any of the above? Do not put it off. Call (609) 845-0648 and let our team at Raynor Services see to your panel.
