How to Tell When You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade in Colorado Springs
Most homeowners don't pay much attention to their power systems in general or their breaker boxes in particular. As long as you can keep plugging things in and having them turn on, everything is fine—right? Unfortunately, that's not always the case. A catastrophic breakdown in which the whole system shuts down and there's no power at all is usually preceded by a long period of deterioration during which your system gives you multiple warning signs that something's not right. If you are aware of the symptoms that indicate your home needs a Colorado Springs electrical panel upgrade from a professional electrician, you can get it taken care of before it gets worse and causes safety issues for your household.
Lights are Flickering
If the lights in your home are flickering ominously, you don't need an exorcist—you need a qualified electrician. Many seemingly supernatural occurrences in Colorado Springs can be traced back to faulty electrical systems. If flickering lights happen now and then during thunderstorms or other strong weather patterns, it's likely nothing to be concerned about—harsh weather can cause minor disruptions in your power supply that cause some flickering or may cut the power out altogether for a few minutes. But if you notice the lights flickering frequently, even during calm weather, there is likely an issue with your electrical connections, electrical wiring, or breaker panel that requires an electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs.
Can't Use Two Appliances at Once
Do you have to be careful not to turn on the microwave while the clothes dryer is running? That's definitely not a good sign. If your circuit breaker switch flips when you try to use multiple modern appliances at the same time, you are dealing with overloaded circuits that can't handle your household's demand. It's normal for a breaker switch to flip when there is a surge of power to prevent damage to your appliances. But if it's happening whenever you try to use your appliances at the same time, it is definitely time for an electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs.
Frequent Breaker Trips
Speaking of tripping your circuit breakers, is this a problem that happens even when you're using only a few appliances at a time? Suppose the switches on your breaker box often turn themselves off for no obvious reason. In that case, it is probably related to the fact that your electrical service panel does not have adequate capacity for your electrical usage. Your circuits are designed to flip off when they draw too much power, but it may be that they're drawing more than they were designed to—and still not getting enough energy to power your modern home. A Colorado Springs electrical panel upgrade will solve the problem, so you have ample power without any irritating disruptions from a tripped breaker.
Burning or Melting Smells
Have you ever seen the plastic "candles" in a faux chandelier actually start to melt? It's not a pleasant sight—or smell. If you have a problem with your system that is causing burning or melting, you may be able to see visible evidence of it. It's a lot more likely that you'll smell the problem before you see it, and you might never see it at all if it's hidden behind a wall or switch cover. Whether the smell is coming from the panel itself or it's more localized near an outlet or switch, it is a very serious safety concern that cannot be ignored and is likely a strong indication that you need an electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs.
If you smell the odor of burning or melting plastic and you can't place it, shut off your power immediately by flipping the main breaker switch and call your local electrician. This is a big reason why regular electrical panel inspections are important—they allow your electrician to notice potential issues and correct them before they threaten the safety of your home and family.
The Panel Is Warm to Touch
Place your hand against the outside of your panel box. It should be more or less room temperature, no warmer. If you notice the box itself is radiating warmth, that is one of the physical signs that your house's electrical load has surpassed your panel capacity, and you need the help of a skilled Colorado Springs electrician. It could also be that the capacity is fine, but the panel is malfunctioning. If you also smell the odor of hot metal, it may be related to faulty wiring. Regardless of the cause, this is a sign that something's not right. That issue could be a safety risk, so it should be checked out by an electrician as soon as possible.
Strange Sounds from Panel
While you're getting up close and personal with your panel box to see if it's shedding radiant heat, pause and listen to it as well. For the most part, your breakers should be operating silently, with the occasional clicking noise when a breaker is flipped. If you hear buzzing, hissing, or crackling sounds coming from the panel, that's a problem. Those types of noises are generally related to faulty wiring or loose connections that cause damage to your panel over time. You may need an electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs, but it's likely some of the wiring will need replacement as well.
Installing a New Appliance or Amenity
If you are planning on purchasing a new appliance with a high power draw, or you're thinking of adding a major amenity, such as a Level 2 charging station that can fast-charge electric vehicles, you will likely need an upgrade. Your current system may be handling the demand just fine at the moment, but adding a 240-volt EV charger or another type of appliance that requires a lot of power will push it over the edge, and you'll quickly begin experiencing power capacity issues around your house. It makes sense to have your electrician inspect your system and make sure it's up to snuff or do the necessary Colorado Springs electrical panel upgrade to get it there before you bring in your new purchase.
Corrosion or External Damage to Panel
If you see rust or other signs of corroded metal on the outside of your breaker box, that is a big concern. It means it has been exposed to excessive moisture, which can cause severe problems inside the panel and create major safety concerns that can lead to electric shocks. The water is coming from somewhere, so it is important to find and repair the source of moisture before you have an electrical panel upgrade in Colorado Springs, or the problem will just reoccur with the new installation.