When an electrician comes to your home to work on the electrical system, the first thing they’ll do is check to see whether you have a fuse box or breaker panel. In most homes, it’s only the older ones that still use fuse boxes. Regardless of your setup, there are many different things that can go wrong. This guide walks you through three essential repair services for each system that are offered by electricians.
Fuse Box: Replacing Blown Cartridge Fuses
The cartridge fuses inside a fuse box are in place to prevent overloads and short circuits on the high-demand circuits. When they blow, they lose their ability to protect the circuit from excessive current. An electrician will take time to identify why the fuse failed to see if it needs replacement with a different size or type.
Fuse Box: Replacing Damaged Fused Pull-Outs
If the fuse box has pull-out blocks, they can become cracked over time, especially if they overheat. When this happens, they will need replacement.
Fuse Box: Repairing Burned Fuse Clips
The fuse clips are what hold the cartridge fuses in place. Throughout the years, they may loosen, or the metal contacts connected to them may weaken because of electrical arcing and heat. Replacing the damaged or burned fuse clips is a simple task for a licensed electrician.
Breaker Panel: Replacing Faulty Circuit Breakers
As the circuit breakers get older, they may start to fail. This can lead to dangerous electrical conditions, especially when they’re supposed to trip so an overload doesn’t occur. Electricians have tools to test each breaker to ensure they operate as they should. In some scenarios, they may need replacement to keep the panel code-compliant and operating safely.
Breaker Panel: Fixing Double-Tapped Breakers
If a breaker is designed to have only one conductor connected to it and it has two, this is called a double-tapped breaker. You don’t want your panel to have double-tapped breakers because they can create loose electrical connections and arcing. All it takes to fix this type of problem is to install the right breaker type (one designed to accept two conductors) or to add another breaker if necessary.
Breaker Panel: Correcting Overloaded Circuits
If you live a tech-driven lifestyle but the panel only has 100-amp service, there’s a good chance some of the circuits are overloaded. An electrician can evaluate your electrical demands to determine whether you need to upgrade to 200-amp service. Or you may just need the electrical load redistributed or additional circuits added.
These are just a few of the many different services that electricians offer for fuse boxes and breaker panels. No matter your setup, having it installed by a professional is the best way to avoid problems and safety hazards. When you need electrical panel services in Phoenix, AZ, contact Ace Home Services.