Electrical Panels, “What’s in the box?”

Electrical Panels are an essential part of the home and generally go unnoticed unless an issue arises in the home. While electrical work should be left to the professional, this doesn’t stop home owners or others from working in panels and in some cases creating safety concerns in the home.  Below are three safety concerns in electrical panels that Zeller Home Inspections, a Division of Z&H Enterprises, commonly identifies during a home inspection.

Zeller Home Inspections, a Division of Z & H Enterprises in Lincoln, addresses three more commonly found safety concerns in electrical panels.

1. Doubled Up Circuitry:  This condition is created when multiple wires are connected to a single circuit breaker.  While there are a few exceptions, most electrical circuit breakers are designed for single wire use.  When multiple wires are connected to a single wire breaker there is a possibility of the wiring not being properly secured, which can result in overheating and/or arcing and eventually a fire. Typically, this is an easily addressed condition and should be corrected for safety.
2. Improperly sized over current/fusing device:  Improperly sized breakers or fuses are a safety concern as this condition would allow more current through the circuit than what the wiring is rated for.  When this happens, wiring could heat up and be a fire safety concern.  In fuse boxes, the fix can be as simple as replacing an existing fuse with the properly sized fuse. In breaker panels, the fix usually requires switching out the breaker with a breaker that is properly sized for the connected circuit.
3. Contaminants:  Contaminants, such as rust, corrosion, dust, paint, etc., can be found in electrical panels and can compromise the integrity of the electrical connections.  Rust and corrosion on wiring can occur when the panels are located in rooms with excessive moisture, when water sources are mounted above the panels (water supply or drain lines) or from an electrical conduit that runs from the panel to the exterior of the home.  While this condition is not as common as the previous two issues, it is a safety concern and should be corrected by a qualified electrician.

These issues can only be identified with a thorough inspection of the electrical panel.

If you have concerns with the condition of your electrical panel, turn to the staff at Zeller Home Inspection, a Division of Z&H Enterprises. They offer comprehensive home inspection services, including whole house inspection, termite inspection and Radon testing and Mitigation. Call (402) 742-5806 today to speak with their staff and visit their website to learn more about their services.