Although public health restrictions are allowing more non-essential businesses to reopen across the country, including here in the Cape Cod region, many of us are continuing to work from home during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several months, lots of homeowners have had to adjust to their new workplaces at home, and our expert staff at Soby One Home Services has heard frequently from our customers with questions about their 
electrical services. The average homeowner has seen a great increase in their power usage during this time, especially when several people are working from home on their computers all day every day. If your electrical services in your home are outdated, this boost in using power could lead to hazardous situations. Fortunately, you can count on our experienced and licensed professionals to inspect your electrical system for any possible issues. Our MA Master and MA Journeyman Electricians are proud to provide high-quality services to Orleans, Barnstable, Harwich, Brewster, and other towns along the Cape. Your satisfaction is one of our top priorities, which is why we offer a 100 percent warranty on both our labor and parts. We would like to tell you more about the signs that your home needs an electrical upgrade and how we can help you stay safe and save money and energy while working at home.
Constantly tripping circuit breakers
One of the most common signs that you need a professional inspection of your electrical services is when you have regular occurrences of breakers tripping or fuses blowing. Whether the cause is an overloaded electrical circuit or an electrical fault, you can trust Soby One Home Services to thoroughly inspect and assess your electrical panel and wiring. We may be able to simply separate multiple circuits into different breakers or install a tandem breaker. However, your safety is our number one priority, which means, in certain cases, we may need to replace the entire breaker panel. If you notice any burned or charred areas on your electrical panel, there may be enough damage to insulation on your wiring to produce arcs of electricity that can generate enough heat to ignite an electrical fire, according to Home Inspection Insider. You can count on our MA Master and Journeyman Electricians to remove any fire hazards and install a new electrical panel to safely power your home.
Rust and Corrosion in the Electrical Panel
When you notice signs of rusting and other corrosion damage in the panel, it means that moisture has somehow gotten inside the electrical panel, and this is never a good combination. When a source of water is present inside your electrical system, it cannot function properly, and you are at a dangerous risk of experiencing electrical faults and fires. Our team of professionals has the experience to find out the reason behind the moisture in your panel, and once we determine whether it is caused by chipped paint, high humidity levels, or a water leak, we will fix that problem before replacing your rusted panel so that you will not have to worry about it affecting your new panel.
Old and Messy Wiring
Electrical wiring does not last forever, and the wear and tear over the years can lead to problems that could become safety hazards. You may also have wiring that was improperly installed in your home, such as oversized breakers with mismatched wiring or double-tapped electrical breakers, that not only violates building codes but can also be a very dangerous fire risk. If your electrical panel is over 30 years old or if you have noticed frayed or exposed wires, you need to call Soby One Home Services to schedule an appointment for a professional inspection with our electricians. We also recommend that you check to see if you have a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panel, which is identified by its breakers with red handles. Because these breakers have been found to be faulty, they lost the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listing, which is required by safety codes, so they should be replaced as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we have seen many FPE panels still in use in homes across Cape Cod, so we urge you to check for those breakers with red handles.
Low Powered Electrical Panel
When electrical panels were first installed into homes, they had a power rating of 60 amps, and this standard was later boosted up to 100 amps of power. That was over a century ago, and with the amount of technology we use in modern times, 100 amps of power is just not enough. During this period of more people working from home, we recommend that you upgrade your electrical panel to one with 200 amps of power, especially if you live in an older home. If you are experiencing constantly flickering or dimming lights, it is likely because of an underpowered electrical panel.
Soby One Home Services is proud to provide several options of professional electrical service upgrades, including removing old and underpowered panels, installing a new meter socket and electrical panel with new breakers, boosting your amps of power, and replacing the grounding system. If you have noticed any of the signs that your home needs an electrical upgrade, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our MA Master and Journeyman Electricians.
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