Signs You Need a New Fuse Box in Your Home

One of the most important but often unseen parts of your home is the fuse box. The fuse box contains the main electrical switch for your home, as well as circuit breakers and residual current devices that help monitor and regulate the electricity in your home. Ideally, the fuse box keeps you safe. However, when there are problems with the fuse box, your home is in danger of an electrical fire. Learn about some of the signs you need a new one below.

Light Problems

Sometimes lights flicker, and it’s no big deal. However, if you notice lights constantly flickering or dimming despite using new bulbs, you may have a fuse box problem on your hand. Flickering and dimming lights are signs of faulty wiring. You’ll need to contact a professional electrician to handle them since these are often too dangerous to repair yourself.

Power Outlet Problems

Another symptom of faulty wiring that relates to your fuse box is power outlet problems. These days, most of us plug our devices into a specific power outlet or power strip and leave the device alone. This means we may forget whether or not the outlet sparked when we used it or whether it was discolored. Sparking and discolored outlets are a sign of faulty wiring, though, and you need to call an electrician to examine the outlet and your fuse box.

Blown Fuses

Older, mid-century fuse boxes were only designed to handle the appliances available at the time. Now, more people work from home on laptops and use other devices throughout the day for everything from slow-cooking dinner to powering a security system. Because of this, homes are using more electricity than those old fuse boxes can handle. Eventually, these fuses blow, meaning you must find the fuse box and reset the circuit breaker. You may not notice a blown fuse or fuse malfunction until an important appliance stops working, such as your oven. Invest in a new fuse box so you can use all the devices and appliances you need without worrying.

Concern for New Appliances

As mentioned above, old fuse boxes in older homes weren’t designed with our current electric usage in mind. This extends to new appliances that require more electricity, such as larger refrigerators and fancier double ovens. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel or bringing newer, bigger appliances into your home, consider upgrading your fuse box. This way, you don’t have to worry about blown fuses or any problems with your new appliances or devices.

If you’re having problems with the electricity in your home, constantly resetting blown fuses, or worrying about new appliances using too much electricity, you need a new fuse box. These aren’t the only signs you should look for concerning fuse and electrical problems, but they are some of the most obvious. Always call an electrician if you have questions or concerns so you can keep your home safe and functional.