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Circuit Breaker Repair, Installation & Upgrades in Dayton, OH & Surrounding Areas

Electric panels have several different names. They are called fuse boxes, panels, circuit breakers, and service panels. Today, most residential dwellings have the electrical service panel, or simply, the service panel. Is your circuit breaker struggling to meet your power needs? Are you tripping your circuit breaker regularly? Hire Five Star Dayton Electrical to take a further look.

(937) 970-5644


Creating Safer Homes with Reliable Circuit Breaker Services in Southwestern Ohio

Replacing or repairing old circuit breakers is vital to ensuring your home’s safety and reliability—especially if you have high data needs. Electrical problems are the third-leading cause of structure fires, and many of those problems stem from an overloaded circuit breaker. Updated circuit breakers help prevent power surges, power interruptions, and broken connections and minimize the risk of igniting a fire.

It’s important to remember that circuit breakers in old homes were not designed to allow dozens of devices to be connected and use power at once—but that’s the reality of life today. So if you find yourself unplugging some devices so you can plug in others, it’s time to consider updating your circuit breaker.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

Circuit breaker panels aren’t exactly the same as the fuse boxes because they are mechanical toggle-switch circuit breakers, not fuses. Nevertheless, they all essentially perform the same function. The older fuses screw or pull in and out, as opposed to the rocker-style method of installing and removing circuit breakers.

Electrical Wiring & Panel Upgrades in Columbus, OH

Electrical Panel Installation & Replacement in Dayton, OH

There are a number of reasons to replace an outdated electrical box. Many homes built before 1970 were outfitted with a fuse box that used individual fuses instead of circuit breakers. Fuse boxes eventually stop working and you might be tempted to merely swap out a fuse. However, this is a short-term fix as more problems will arise.

The main reason for electrical panel installation is that your existing model is too old and simply doesn’t meet your current needs for electricity. In this case, it’s not a matter of if it breaks, but when. Replacing it sooner rather than later makes your home safer and can save you money in the long run. Additionally, there are many other reasons to have a new electrical panel installed in your home in the Miami Valley Ohio area, depending on your circumstances. For example, electrical code updates may require a new circuit panel or perhaps you’ve decided to convert your home from gas appliances to electric ones—in which case you’re going to need another electrical service panel to run all those appliances.

Rewiring of Electrical Panels in Central Ohio

If your home is 40+ years old, it’s time to rewire your house. The idea is to remove as much of the old wire as possible before installing new non-metallic cables, which are safer, easier to work with, and won’t heat up with the insulation. Unfortunately, sometimes walls need to be torn down to get to the wires before placing the new wires in and patch seal everything behind new drywall. You may luck out and not have to tear down walls, but instead cut into special places for us to get at the wiring. We can even fish wires through the walls using rods and a thin metal line called fish tape.

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  • Electrical Diagnostics in Miami Valley, OH

    Since your breaker panel is essentially the nervous system of your home, it’s essential to keep up with the maintenance and ensure that everything is working correctly. Problems left untreated can be extremely dangerous and expensive to fix after the damage has been done. Knowing what to look for or what to be alarmed by can essentially be a lifesaver and a huge money saver.

    4 Signs You Need a New Breaker Panel

    Strange Noises

    If your breaker panel is emitting strange noises such as hissing or roaring, it could indicate an arc fault in your wires. Arc faults are the primary cause of many electrical house fires and should be taken care of immediately. If you hear any odd noises, call Five Star!

    Burning Smells

    The last smell that should be coming from your electrical panel is the smell of something burning. If you do smell burning odors, call a technician for urgent repair. Five Star offers 24 emergency services to our customers, so you will never be alone in the midst of an emergency.

    Melted Wires

    If your wires have any signs of damage, such as melted wires or anything that looks overheated, contact us immediately, as this can signify an overloaded circuit. Another symptom of an overloaded circuit is a breaker that feels hot. To prevent an electrical fire, give us a call right away to schedule a breaker panel inspection.

    Age of Breaker

    The average lifespan for an electrical panel can range from 25-40 years. There is a wide range of variability due to several things, such as power surges, wear and tear, and manufacturer defect. An electrical panel that is over 25 years old can be a dangerous panel. If you don’t want to just replace it, considering the panel could be fine for another two decades, it is a good idea to have an electrical inspection done by one of our electricians to ensure everything is in good order.

    Are you a Columbus area homeowner searching for electrical panel services? Call Five Star at (937) 970-5644 today!

    Circuit Breaker Repair & Installation FAQ

    Why Does the Circuit Breaker Trip While Operating Certain Appliances?

    If a circuit breaker keeps tripping, the problem may be with the electrical load for that particular circuit. The circuit breaker is part of a circuit designed to handle a certain number of amps. Suppose the electrical current demanded by the appliances on that circuit exceeds the number of amps for that circuit. In that case, the circuit breaker will get overloaded and flip off to protect the electrical system. Unfortunately, an overloaded circuit can cause the circuit breaker to overheat as well. The solution to many circuit breaker problems is to add an electrical circuit or circuit breaker that can handle a larger current load. The circuit needs to have a higher amp rating.

    What is a “short circuit?”

    A short circuit (often called a “short”) occurs when the wire carrying the electrical current (referred to as the “hot wire” and usually black) has contact with the grounded conductor (the “neutral,” generally white) or the equipment ground (the “bare copper,” typically green). When a short happens, it generates an overabundance of heat. If left unchecked, it can create sparks resulting in an electrical fire. In the event of a short, your electrical panel will cut the power to the circuit.

    What Should I Do if My Breaker Panel Is Hot?

    If you can safely turn the power off, do so and give us a call immediately. On the other hand, you might need an upgrade or some maintenance. Either way, this is a job for professionals.

    Choose Five Star Dayton Electrical in Central Ohio for

    All of your house’s electricity goes through your service panel. Electrical service panels provide hundreds of amps of electricity to the home. Homes built between 1950 and 1965 can have 60-ampere fuse boxes. However, if they do, they have four fuses. Electricity comes into the residence from a service drop, where it connects to the service lugs inside the service panel. From there, it splits into separate circuits throughout the home.

    Replacing or repairing old circuit breakers is vital to ensuring your home’s safety and reliability—especially if you have high data needs. Electrical problems are the third-leading cause of structure fires, and many of those problems stem from an overloaded circuit breaker. Updated circuit breakers help prevent power surges, power interruptions, and broken connections and minimize the risk of igniting a fire. Schedule services with Five Star Dayton Electrical at (937) 970-5644.

    When you need professional results, choose a professional electrician. Choose Five Star.