7 Common Electrical Panel Issues

ROHNERT PARK — Your main electrical panel is the control center of your home’s electrical system. Not only does this panel provide power to your home, it also protects you from hazards by shutting off the power when something goes wrong (commonly known as “tripping a breaker”). For these reasons, it’s important to confirm that your panel is functioning properly and address any outdated, worn-out or improperly installed components. Here are seven common issues to look for in your electrical panel:

1. Double-lugged breakers
A double-lugged circuit breaker means there are two wires (circuits) going into a single breaker. This is an example of improper wiring, typically done as an attempt to fit wires where space is limited. When a breaker is double-lugged, it can result in over-feeding of the wires, which can cause the breaker to trip prematurely. In contrast, a panel that’s wired correctly will have a designated breaker for each individual wire.

2. Incorrectly sized breakers/wires
Different sizes of electrical wires correspond to specific breaker sizes, so when wires and breakers are incorrectly matched, it can lead to problems. For example, installing a size 14 wire into a size 20 amp breaker may seem like a good way to gain some additional power, but this will actually cause the wire to break down and short out prematurely.

3. Double-lugged neutral wires
Just as with double-lugged breakers, it’s common for neutral wires to be incorrectly paired up when space is limited. However, each individual wire should have its own space on the neutral bar. There are approved methods to create more space for neutral wires without resorting to double-lugging.

4. Jumbled wiring
A sloppy wiring job doesn’t just look bad, it also makes it difficult for you or your electrician to identify which wires go where. To avoid this, wires should be secured with zip ties to maintain a neat appearance.

5. Loose meter clamps
Behind your panel, you’ll find the meter jaws, which are exterior connectors that send electricity from the panel into your home. Over time, a panel’s meter jaws can become loose, which can lead to problems like overheating and arcing. If left unresolved, this issue will eventually lead to power loss.

6. No Romex protection
Romex is a composite cable that consists of several electrical wires bundled together by a plastic sheathing. To preserve Romex cables, protection like bushings and connectors should be in place at the holes where the cables exit the panel. Since these holes in the panel’s metallic box can be sharp, this protection will prevent deterioration from abrasion over time.

7. No grounding
Grounding is a crucial aspect of any modern electrical system. However, it’s not uncommon for electricians to find panels and wiring that were installed before grounding was required by code, so make sure your panel contains proper grounding.