With your first home also comes many new responsibilities, including learning about the property’s electrical maintenance needs. If you aren’t especially handy, it’s best to start with the circuit breaker. The home’s breakers are housed in an electrical service panel, where each is connected via wire to a particular circuit in the home. If there’s too much current drawn from one, or another type of electrical emergency occurs, the breaker is designed to stop the flow immediately. Here’s what you should know about understanding this important component.

How Do Circuit Breakers Work?

The circuits within the panel are individually connected with specific electrical wiring that flows throughout the home. When the system detects the potential of overloading, a short circuit, or a ground fault, a solder attached to the individual breaker’s spring melts and triggers a response that quickly turns off the power to the circuit.

If you attempt to plug too many appliances into an outlet, for example, the breaker responds quickly by tripping and stopping the flow of electricity to the select circuit. That prevents your electrical objects from burning out and causing potential fire hazards in the home.

What Are Some Electrical Maintenance Tips?

Avoid overloading your electrical system by plugging in too many appliances or devices at once, and don’t use extension cords to power up multiple items at a single outlet. Power strips only serve to increase the number of outlets — they don’t provide more power.

Check on the condition of wires periodically; if they appear frayed or worn, don’t use the item as it could prove a safety risk. For additional safety, unplug all appliances — even small ones — when they aren’t in use.  

When Should You Contact a Repair Technician?

Be mindful of specific signs that indicate you need to contact an electrical maintenance technician. If you smell something burning from the electrical service panel, for example, it could be a sign of overheating in the wiring or insulation.

That means there’s a short somewhere in the house that must be promptly addressed, so you should cut the power to the entire home while you wait. If the breaker continues to trip repeatedly, it could be a sign of aging or physically damaged wiring. Upgrading your wiring is not only key to resolving this issue, but it also increases your home’s safety.

When you move into your new home, your safety should be paramount. Let the electrical maintenance professionals at E-Con Electric, Inc. assist you during this stage. Based in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, they offer a variety of residential electrical services, including inspections, wiring upgrades, outlet installation, and circuit breaker replacement. Visit the electrical contractors online for information, or call (715) 423-8440 to schedule an appointment.