Lately, the electrical power in your house has been spotty. Your lights flicker each time you use a hair dryer or the microwave. You plug in the most recent addition to your house entertainment system and promptly blow a fuse. What’s causing the problem? It might be that your home’s electrical panel is outdated and looking for an upgrade. after hours electrician have electrical devices running round the clock, and even electronics and systems which are switched off but remain plugged in can siphon electrical current. Older houses or buildings are often just not able to keep up with the power demand. If you suspect your home is due for an upgrade, contact an authorized professional to assess the situation.

Do I Need an Upgrade?

The most obvious sign that you’ll require a service upgrade is whenever your electrical circuits simply can’t match your needs. If you have to unplug one appliance so that you can use another without tripping the breaker, or if certain activities cause your lights to flicker, you’re probably overtaxing your electrical panel. Even if you aren’t experiencing frequent losses of service, however, you might be ripe for a panel upgrade. If your present service panel has less than 200 amps of electricity available, or if your panel has screw-in fuses, the system is out-of-date. As a general rule, if your house is more than twenty years old, it’s worth looking at an electrical panel upgrade.

MAY I Wait to Upgrade?

Home repairs, especially to the electrical system, aren’t cheap. However, it’s never smart to defer residential electrical repairs. An outdated, overstressed electrical panel isn’t just inconvenient-it can also be dangerous. If your property is filled with power strips and electrical cords because you have far more electrical devices than outlets, you’re asking each outlet to work beyond its intended capacity. If one of these brilliant circuits overheats and blows under the strain, it could affect your personal computer, printer, television, gaming console, and other things that is attached. Additionally, overheating panels and circuits are a fire hazard. Upgrade your electrical panel before it reaches this point to protect your property and your family from harm.

Can I Fix It Myself?

An electrical panel upgrade really is not a DIY project. Repairing and upgrading the electrical wiring for an entire home is extremely complicated-and there’s a lot at stake if it is not done correctly. Additionally, working with electrical wiring carries the chance of electrocution, and being a fire hazard. Unless you are been trained in electrical system repair and installation, call a professional residential electrician for your upgrade.

Penny Jones is a do-it-yourself enthusiast and a senior Internet marketing strategist for Prospect Genius, a leader in online local advertising.