When lights go out or your TV turns off, what is the first thing that most people do? Check their circuit breaker panel to see if they can flip the circuit breaker to turn the device back on. Circuit breaker panels may seem like a very simplistic device with the purpose of being able to turn on electrical devices when they turn off by themselves. However these circuit breaker panels have a much more important task that makes home electrical device use safe and practical.
Circuit breaker panels make our lives safer by managing the electrical currents running to and from different electrical devices. When an electrical device has too much current running through it, the circuit breaker turns the device off until someone can fix the problem. This protects homeowners from fires or other damage that could be caused by electrical currents. It is the job of a circuit breaker to cut off the power to an electrical device when the current jumps to unsafe levels. If the current was left alone it could cause the wires to overheat and cause a fire.
Not only are service breakers an integral part of every home, but they last an extremely long time. The average expectancy of a circuit breaker panel is 60 years. Some things that may shorten the life of a circuit breaker panel are excessive dust and humidity, but both of these can be easily prevented with regular upkeep and a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate. Most residential models of circuit breaker panels have a 10 year warranty and the commercial models usually have a lifetime warranty. If you do need to replace a circuit breaker panels run from $120 to $270.
If you have any inquiries about commercial or residential circuit breaker installation or repair, please contact us at (781) 246-7700.