A lot of different electrical issues can occur when you overload your electrical panel. Too many devices that are plugged into outlets throughout your home can quickly lead to damage to your electrical system. Fortunately, there are a few important ways to avoid overloading your electrical panel in your home in Rochester, Minnesota.
1. Perform an Inspection
Hire a professional to perform an inspection of your wiring to prevent the circuits from becoming overloaded and starting electrical fires. Our electricians at Paxton Electric serve Rochester and Southeastern Minnesota, and they’ll look for breaks or cracks that are present in the insulator. It’s also important to avoid using outlet extensions. The practice may seem convenient, but they can cause too many devices to get electricity from a single outlet.
2. Reduce Your Clutter
When you’re not eating at the Waffle House or T J Mulligans in Rochester, it can be enjoyable to cook different types of meals in the comfort of your home. This makes it easy to have too many appliances sitting out on your counter in your kitchen when you want easy access to different tools and devices. Space out appliances like your coffeemaker and blender to avoid overwhelming the outlets that are in your kitchen. Unplug anything that isn’t currently in use.
3. Become Familiar With Your Circuit Breaker
You may not be an expert when it comes to knowing the different components of your circuit breaker, but it’s still important to understand the various switches that go with the circuits in the building. They should have clear and legible labels.
4. Use Dedicated Circuits
Although you may use many different outlets throughout the home, some types of products need to have their own dedicated circuit to avoid overloading the electrical panel. These items include dishwashers, furnaces, washers and dryers, hot tubs and electric ranges.
5. Schedule an Electrical Evaluation
A professional electrician can perform an electrical safety evaluation to determine if any hazards are present and if repairs are needed. If any issues need to be addressed, you can consider the options that are available and discuss their recommendations to reduce the risks. This type of evaluation should be performed at least once each year to ensure you’re using the electricity safely.
If you want to learn more about how to avoid overloading your electrical panel, reach out to the team at Paxton Electric in Rochester, Minnesota. Our experts are happy to provide you with more information and recommend the services we offer to improve the condition of your electrical panel. Call us today.
