13 Apr Electrical Upgrades – Circuit Breakers Over Fuse Panels
One of the most important areas of house maintenance is electrical upgrades. Poor or damaged wiring is a serious concern, and in most cases, fire is a result. You are probably wondering though “why do I need to retire my fuse panel?”
Fuse Panels
A fuse panel is built to channel electricity into an assortment of circuits, each one protected from over-current by a fuse. Fuses provide protection from over-current by failing when there is too much current or the fuse gets too hot. If a fuse is faulty or dies, the circuit opens and is no longer able to conduct electricity. To re-energize the circuit fuses which have failed (“blown”) must be replaced.
Drawbacks
In older homes fuse panels are very much still active. The danger of electrical fire is easily avoidable as long as fuses are installed correctly. Many of the drawbacks of fuse panels, in fact, stem from human error:
- “Blown” fuses require replacement
- Fuses are only as strong as the wiring they protect
- Wiring designed to carry 15 Amps, a larger fuse will not change that.
- The larger fuse may not blow out as frequently but the higher rated the fuse is, the faster the wire will overheat as a result
- Overheat the wire too much and the end result is an electrical fire
- The fuse panel is unable to handle newer home appliances
- Space limitations
- Difficult to insure a home if a fuse panel system is in place
Circuit Breaker Panel
Designed to channel electricity throughout your home, circuit breakers are just like fuse panels. The advantages are as follows:
- Resetting the breaker is quick and easy
- Resetting the breaker comes at no extra cost
- There is no need to worry about fuses and fuse ratings
- The homeowner is safe with all electrical connections hidden inside a breaker box
Electrical upgrades do not need to seem daunting or overwhelming. With the help and guidance of a professional company, the transition can be as smooth as you want it to be.
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