5 Signs Your Electrical System Is Overloaded
Flickering lights, warm panels, tripping breakers: 5 signs of an overloaded electrical system and when to call an electrical consultant for help.
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Contents
Overloaded electrical circuits are a leading cause of fire, whether in a home or on a worksite. Protect yourself and others from that elevated risk by learning the warning signs to watch for. Discover how you can tell if your electrical system is overloaded.
Flickering Lights
When you turn on the lights, do they flicker and provide only dim light? If the bulbs themselves are in good condition, your problem may be caused by too many appliances using the same circuit. You will need to replace your electrical panel if it doesn’t have sufficient power for all the electrical equipment you use.
Panel Is Warm to the Touch
Do not touch the panel. Abnormal enclosure heat is usually a symptom of a loose or degrading connection or a failing breaker rather than a system-wide overload, and that kind of failure can escalate without warning. If a panel, breaker, or cover looks discolored, smells hot, or reads warm from a distance, keep clear of it and have a qualified person survey it with a non-contact infrared thermometer or thermal imager. Whether the system actually lacks capacity is determined by a load study, not by panel age.
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Studies modeled in ETAP® and SKM, field testing and electrical design by licensed PEs.
Burning Smell From an Outlet
If you notice a burning smell whenever you plug something into an outlet, an overloaded circuit could be to blame. The smell may come from melted plastic on cables or even the wood in your walls. Unplug everything for safety’s sake, and enlist electrical consulting services for professional advice on how to replace your electrical panel.
Breaker Keeps Tripping
Your electrical system’s circuit breaker is designed to protect it from overloading; it’s supposed to trip whenever it detects too much power being drawn to your system. A breaker that keeps tripping, especially when you try to plug in a new appliance, is likely trying to indicate that your system is overloaded; a professional short circuit analysis can confirm the cause.
Buzzing Sound From Appliances
You should be familiar with the sounds of your electrical system when it’s running as intended. If you notice any new noises, like buzzing or clicking, coming from equipment plugged into your circuit, the system may be overloaded.
Even if you rarely have problems with your electrical system, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the signs it may be overloaded. Every time you plug in a new piece of equipment, note how the rest of the system reacts. If you notice any of the above warning signs in your home’s electrical panel, contact Dreiym Engineering for valuable consulting services and professional advice.