Do your circuits need upgrading? Does your home electrical system need a few updates? Find out from the pros at Roman Electric! It is best to upgrade your circuits sooner than later, as putting it off can cause more issues.
Why Should You Update Your Circuits?
Before you figure out how you can tell if your circuits need to be upgraded, it is important to know why they should be upgraded. The most important reason is that updating your circuits is a safety issue. If you live in an older home, it is important to know that most old homes were designed to handle 30 to 60 amps with fewer circuits. A circuit is often operated by a single fuse or circuit breaker, which protects the wires originating from the electrical panel from catching on fire. However, some older circuit breakers might not trip or turn off, increasing the likelihood of overheating and electrical fires. Circuit breakers also won’t trip if there is a loose connection in the wire or circuit. To prevent any safety issues and electrical problems, there is no harm in checking to see if your electrical system needs to be updated.
Ways to Update Your Electrical System
You will need to hire a reliable electrician to upgrade your circuits or electrical systems. It can be potentially hazardous to update your electrical system on your own. Below are the most common ways your circuits, breaker box or electrical panel will be upgraded:
- Upgrade your electrical panel in order to bring more power into your home.
- Replace the circuit breaker box so it can handle more amps of electrical current.
- Replace the circuits that are loose, frayed, damaged or not in use.
- Add any additional circuits to power different rooms, devices or appliances.
How to Tell If Your Circuits Need Upgrading
Here are some ways you can tell if your circuits need upgrading:
- Lights Dim or Flicker
If you turn on a major electrical appliance in your home such as the washing machine or air conditioner and your lights dim or flicker, you might need to upgrade your circuits. This can often happen because of loose, faulty or old wiring. Flickering once in a blue moon is fine, but if this happens consistently after you turn on a large appliance, you might need your electrical system inspected.
- Circuit Breaker Trips
If your circuit breaker trips often, meaning it shuts off electrical power when it notices the circuit being overloaded, it might need to be replaced. Try resetting it on your own first—if it continues to trip after this, your home might need a larger supply of power on a single circuit. Get in touch with an electrician to discuss replacing your circuit breaker or adding any more circuits.
- Excessive Use of Extension Cords
If you find yourself using many extension cords, in order to power additional appliances, you might need to update your circuits or electrical system. Using power strips to create additional outlets is a sign that you need more power for your home.
Upgrade Your Circuits with Roman Electric
If you want to learn more about how you can upgrade your circuits or electric system, get in touch with Roman Electric. Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule an appointment with us online!
