Power surges happen when too much electricity flows through a system. They can occur due to issues with the power grid in the city or issues with your home. You might see the lights flickering and hear a buzzing sound. Brownouts are also common. This is when the electrical system sees a drop in power. Though your home’s electrical panel can develop problems after a surge, you can do a few things before calling an electrician.
Check the Breakers
If you have a newer Rochester, MN home, you should have a circuit breaker. Each breaker relates to a different part of your home and provides the power those rooms need. The breakers also prevent overload issues because they trip when a specific outlet or area draws too much power. After a surge, check for tripped breakers. You usually just need to flip the breaker back to the correct position. If the breaker suffered damage due to the surge, it probably needs replacing.
Inspect Damage
Power surges often cause visible damage you can see with a quick inspection. Now is the time to look for black marks around the outlets. These marks indicate an overloaded outlet and can happen when the outlet sparks or a small fire occurs. Try running your HVAC system, too. The system may not provide hot or cold air because it suffered severe damage due to the surge. Black marks can also appear on the electrical panel. If you see any signs of damage, hire an electrician as soon as possible.
Unplug Appliances
It’s important to unplug appliances after a power surge until you can verify they work properly. Appliances like your washer and dryer, fridge, and stove use a lot of power, which they draw from the electrical panel. Any damage to the panel can limit the overload protection it offers, causing too much power to flow to them and causing them to fail. You also risk the panel itself causing an electrical fire that can spread while your family is asleep or you’re out of the house. It’s often helpful to unplug each appliance and inspect it before using it again.
Hire an Electrician
As much as you want to address electrical panel issues right after a power surge, don’t be afraid to admit when you’re in over your head. A professional electrician can inspect the panel, find any damage, and fix it. They can also check your appliances and outlets to ensure they’re in working order. A full inspection usually takes just a couple of hours or less.
Power surges happen often and can lead to blackouts or brownouts. Once a power surge hits your home, you don’t need to worry about how to handle any issues that pop up. Just call us at Rush Electric in Memphis, TN for electrical panel replacement or similar services.
