Whether you are a first time homeowner or you have been living in your current residence for many years, it is important to make sure that you understand how your property’s electrical system works. By learning basic information about your electrical panel, breaker box, and other systems, you will have a better idea of when you need to hire an electrician serving San Jose . Let’s review some basic information that all homeowners need to know about their electrical systems.

Main Breaker Panel

The main electrical supply for your home enters your property through the main breaker panel. After the electrical current passes through your meter, it reaches the breaker so that it can transferred to the various circuits that power your house. The main breaker is located inside your home, and is designed to switch off when a surge in power is detected. In the event of an electrical emergency in your home, you may need to manually turn off the switch that is located in your main breaker.

Circuit Breakers

Once you have identified your main breaker, you will be able to easily find your circuit breakers. Typically, your circuit breakers will be located directly next to the main breaker panel. Each switch in the circuit breaker is connected to a specific room or area of the house. When a room in your house suddenly loses power, a tripped circuit breaker may be the cause. Flipping the specific circuit back to the on position could restore power to the affected area.

GFCIs

In order to protect you and your loved ones from electrical accidents, your home will also be equipped with devices that are called GFCIs. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt, and your GFCIs can help to ensure that you and your loved ones are not in danger of getting shocked. The GFCI is designed to immediately shut off the electricity to an outlet if it senses an overload. Typically, GFCIs are installed directly within the outlets of a home.

When you are thinking of purchasing an older property, it is very important to have an electrician inspect the home’s wiring. Electrical standards and regulations have been updated over time, and an older home may contain not contain modern wires, grounding units, or breaker box systems. An electrician serving San Jose will be able to determine whether a rewiring project is needed for a property. Here is an overview of some warning signs that a building needs to be rewired.

Overheating Electrical Sockets

To determine whether a building needs to be rewired, your electrician may start by taking a look at the electrical sockets. If the sockets are hot to the touch after they have been turned on, they may be in need of new wiring. An electrical system that is overloaded or outdated may cause the electrical sockets to heat up dangerously. Replacing your wiring may also mean that you need to install brand new sockets in each room.

Outdated Fuse Box

An outdated fuse box is another key indication that a property needs to be rewired. When an electrician inspects your property’s wiring, he may take a look to see whether an older style of fuse box is still in place. If the fuse box has not been updated, this is a sign that the wiring in the home has also not been replaced. Replacing the fuse box and wiring will make the properly much safer for all of its occupants.

Damaged Sockets or Light Switches

Signs of damage to the sockets or light switches may also indicate that a building needs to be rewired. Your sockets may show signs of burns or loose fittings. Any visible signs to the sockets or light switches of a property will clearly indicate that the system needs to be rewired. After you have the home rewired, you can rest assured that its electrical system is safe for use.

Before you embark on an electrical project in your home, you will need to turn off the appropriate switches in your breaker box. This video demonstrates how to create labels in a standard breaker box. To label your breaker box, you can test to see which switches control each area of your home. A team of electricians in San Jose can help you test, label, and maintain the breaker box in your home.

If you are having electrical issues on your property, be sure to hire a certified electrician. Electrical repairs can be dangerous if they are not performed by a trained and experienced professional. With help from your electrician, you can ensure that your breaker box, wiring, and outlets are functioning safely.