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Is the Breaker Panel Ready for the Added Demands of the Holidays?

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Preparing the Home (and Breaker Panel) for the Extra Stress of Holiday Visitors

The holiday season can be a very stressful time for homeowners, especially those tasked with hosting friends and relatives for the year’s festivities. Managing the different personalities, keeping the kitchen stocked, sorting out the sheer logistics of having so many bodies under one roof – even the toughest, most patient hosts can get burnt out from orchestrating such a massive feat.

But the stress doesn’t stop with the hosts – the home’s breaker panel is performing a similar (and equally tricky) balancing act at the same time. More people in the house means more electricity is being used at any given time, especially with the extra cooking, laundry, charging electronics, and television usage, not to mention any luminous outdoor decorations. An old or faulty breaker panel may not handle the load, which could make for one gloomy gathering.

What Is a Breaker Panel (And What Does It Do)?

A breaker panel (sometimes referred to as a breaker box or distribution board) is essentially the primary hub for a home’s electricity supply. Electrical current from the city power lines goes through the electric meter box and on into the breaker panel, usually located on the side of the house or in the garage. From there, power is distributed throughout the home via several circuits, which are controlled by breakers. One master breaker controls all of these subsidiary circuits. 

In the event of a short-circuit, power surge, or circuit overload, the corresponding breaker automatically trips (shuts off) to prevent fire and electrocution hazards. Most panels feature a grounding rod, which discharges excess current safely into the ground.

Signs a Breaker Panel Needs Repairing

If the circuit breakers frequently trip or appliances don’t seem to work properly when certain outlets or light fixtures are in use, it’s likely an issue at the breaker box. If the breaker switches or the panel itself is hot (or even warm) to the touch, it’s not a good sign. Similarly, if the panel is making any hissing, crackling, or other unusual noises, or if the panel produces any smoke or strange odors (particularly burning smells), an electrician should be called immediately, and the panel should not be touched.

How To Tell When a Breaker Panel Should Be Replaced

The breaker panel issues listed above may be resolved by repairs alone, but the damage done is often extensive enough to warrant an all-out replacement. Conversely, the above issues may even be the direct result of an inadequately-sized or faulty panel. The home’s power needs may outweigh the capabilities of the breaker panel, especially if an extension has been added to the home recently or if the panel is getting old.

Some older homes still employ old-fashioned fuse boxes rather than breaker panels. These are largely obsolete and should be replaced, as they do not support important modern safety implements like GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) breakers. Upgrading to a safer, more capable panel will help ensure a stress-free (or at least less stressful), well-lit, and safe holiday season.

About Electrical Connections LLC

Since 2003, Electrical Connections LLC has been proudly handling the electrical service needs of homeowners. As a family-owned and operated local business, they are dedicated to safety, honesty, and supporting their community. Contact them for breaker panel repair and replacement in Gaithersburg, MD, today! 

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June 2025

Josh is amazing! He took time to prepare and explain 4 EV charger installation options for us and repairs. He put in the effort to give us exactly what we wanted and stayed within time and budget. I HIGHLY recommend home for your electrical project.

Johnika A.

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May 2025

Super easy to schedule and work with. We got recessed lights put into two rooms, and our electrician James was informative and helpful, being detailed and upfront throughout the job. He continued to be helpful through any questions we had. Definitely recommend!

Stephanie W.

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May 2025

Franklin was wonderful. He was so thorough and clearly walked us through the work and the issues he uncovered (including some possible fire hazards that we are SO thankful he resolved). He was also just very friendly and nice to have around! Whenever we need an electrician again, we will be happy to have him back.

Marisa K.

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May 2025

Trevor F and his team did an awesome job in installing my EV wall charger. They were very professional and got the job done in record time. I will definitely be giving EC a call for future electrical issues. Highly recommend!

Alan K.

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March 2025

Peter Aurgaur and Jeremiah Castillo did a great job today replacing/upgrading my breaker panel. They worked very well together to efficiently perform all aspects of the job. I look forward to getting a successful inspection and then closing outage work when Pepco arrives to work with Peter to up date my meter and housing.

Vernon V.