If your panel is faulty or failing, it will usually give you some hints, which we’ll cover below. Additionally, we will discuss some outdated, unsafe brands of panels that can also put your property at risk.

Warning signs of a faulty electrical panel

The breakers trip frequently or won’t stay reset

Each of your circuit breakers has a corresponding electrical circuit on your property. If a circuit breaker detects that its circuit is drawing too much power (circuit overload), the breaker is supposed to “trip” and cut off the power.

However, if a circuit breaker trips almost like clockwork whenever you use a particular appliance, the switch may be worn and failing. If you need to continually reset your breaker because it won’t stay put, that’s another red flag. Don’t wait to contact our electricians to examine the problem.

The panel gives off a burning smell

This one is another major red flag. If you detect a burning odor around your electrical panel, the wires are likely overheating. Shut off the power IMMEDIATELY to prevent a fire or any other electrical issues. Next, call our electricians to inspect your panel.

Dangerous electrical panels

Some brands and types of panels have a track record of being unsafe and failing without warning. If any of the following panels are still in operation on your property, it’s a good idea to get a replacement as soon as possible.

Federal pacific electric (FPE) Stab-Lok

Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok panels were never officially recalled, but they’ve been almost universally condemned by electricians and home inspectors alike. During tests conducted by electrical experts in the 1980s, 51% of the breakers failed to trip. One of these experts, an electrical engineer named Jesse Aronstein, co-wrote a paper with Richard Lowry to publish his findings from numerous fire reports. By Aronstein and Lowry’s estimate, FPE Stab-Lok panel failures are responsible for as many as 2,800 fires and 13 deaths every year.

You can usually tell if you own a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel by how it looks. In between the breakers, you’ll see the name Stab-Lok, and the breakers will have red tips.

Zinsco and Sylvania

Most Zinsco panels were installed in the 1970s, and the good news is that these are obsolete nowadays. When significant and dangerous design issues were discovered, people stopped buying these panels. Unfortunately, though, the Zinsco panels that were already purchased were installed anyway.

Sylvania panels have the same issues as Zinsco panels because they are almost the same product. Sylvania bought out Zinsco and made no significant changes to the design apart from replacing the logo.

Similar to FPE Stab-Lok panels, a Zinsco or Sylvania panel can work fine for years. However, higher energy demands can cause the panel to overheat and even make the breakers melt. If a breaker melts to the panel’s bus bar, then the breaker can no longer trip when needed. That means that if a massive surge of outside electrical power were to flow into your property’s panel and circuits, nothing would be there to cut the power. This could result in the wires melting and the panel overheating and, in turn, causing a fire.

If you own a Zinsco or Sylvania panel, it should have a label with the brand name, and its circuit breaker switches will be red, green, and blue.

Concerned about your property’s electric panel?

At Luminous Electric, our electricians are extensively trained to understand the complexities of panels and circuit breakers. When you hire our team, you can count on trustworthy and friendly technicians, honest, upfront pricing, and 3-year parts and labor warranties. Give us a call today or contact us online.

Have Electrical Devices Installed In Your Home

A Sarasota electrician knows how to make simple repairs such as installing light switches in the walls, but he will also know how to complete complex installations such as placing a fan on the ceiling. When it is time to replace the light fixtures in a bathroom or a kitchen, call a licensed electrician who understands how to install devices in rooms that have moisture and high humidity levels. By calling an electrician in Florida, you can prevent problems such as overloading the electrical lines.

The fact is older homes were not designed for modern living. The electrical service may be underpowered or just not have enough outlets.

Three Times You Need a Professional Upgrade

• Adding additional outlets –
  • Many older homes have just a few outlets in each room. If you are using power strips and extension cords, it’s time to add additional outlets in the rooms where you need them.
• Upgrading the electrical service –
  • Many older homes have 60 or 100 watt service to the house. New homes have a minimum of 200 watt service. If you find your lights flickering when you plug in something, it’s time to upgrade your electrical service.
• Bringing the house up to code –
  • If you are renovating your home or adding an addition, it’s a perfect time to bring your electric service up to code. This ensures your home has adequate power while meeting modern electric codes and safety regulations.

If your home needs an electrical upgrade, call Power Up Electric Services today. We have proudly served our Sarasota friends and neighbors since 1993.

When you install exterior lighting, try to position the lights so that they shine on common areas of your home, such as a deck or sidewalk. Consider using lights to accent pathways and areas where you congregate in the evening so that you have the beauty of the lights along with the security that is offered.

Large lights positioned on the corners of your home are common for added security, especially those that have motion sensors.

Services offered by Sarasota electrician…

Whether you need something as simple as a new outlet or a complete home rewiring, give us a call. Our skilled and tireless staff will replace your outdated ceiling fixtures, upgrade your breaker boxes, or even outfit your newly constructed home with safe and efficient wiring. Give us a call today—we’ll provide you with personalized one-on-one service so that you’ll understand exactly what you’re paying for. We’ll show you why we’re still in business after all these years, and what keeps our trusting clients coming back for more.