Electrical Panels from A to Z

Electrical panels should always be labeled and up to date. Electrical panels are often flagged during home inspections. — Majority of older homes will have older panels. This means your labeling may not be up to date, not be labeled at all, or contain less breakers.

Electrical Panel Labels

The main Electrical Panel is a source of many issues in home inspection reports. It is so important to have accurate and up to date electrical panel labels. Having accurate labels are a great safety measure not only for yourself, but for professionals that come out to complete any electrical work. These are especially important during emergencies if something needs to be addressed quickly. There are simple templates and guides available to help you label your electrical panel. You can also rely on a professional to support you in this. In addition to labels, having an electrical panel cover helps protect the live channels that conduct power into the panel. On older homes, an electric panel cover could be damaged or missing. Covering an electrical panel is a key safety precaution and should not be overlooked.

Circuit Overload

Some of the items discussed and called on in home inspections are considered ‘Qwik Fixes’. Others are signs of unprofessional work. In which case the buyer or inspector must be on the lookout for potential dangers even more than the usual. In this episode we discuss pig-tailing or double-tapping a main breaker, which is commonly done as a quick way to add another circuit. Something that has the potential to overload the system and create issues for future and current homeowners.

These electric panels are a safety hazard when it comes to the risk of fire and electric shock. — Zinsco electric panels could leave property owners at risk for both fire and electric shock when failing to operate properly as much as 25% of the time.

We also take a look at the Zinsco panel flagged for further inspection by a licensed electrician. These panels have been reported not to “trip” even when overloaded, causing fires due to excessive heat. If you are planning a major remodel after purchase you should budget for replacement. If not, you should consider an electrician to do a thorough inspection for scorching and other signs of failure.

When addressing issues with electricity it is important to be extremely careful! Hiring a professional will avoid the dangers of shocking yourself and others OR the chance of starting a fire.

How the QwikFix Can Help

Do you need a quote on a home inspection report? Whether it’s an issue with an electrical panel, electrical panel labels, or something totally different, TheQwikFix provides you with an accurate quote for repairs in 24 hours or less. Learn more and get your quote today!