Understanding Electrical Load Capacity
Fully Licensed and Insured
Serving Bristol County and Surrounding Areas
Is Your Home Overloaded?
Hi, I’m Jeremy, the owner of AMCO Electric & Energy, and today I want to talk about something that often goes unnoticed but can have a big impact on your home’s safety and functionality: electrical load capacity.
As we continue to add more and more devices, appliances, and tech to our homes, understanding how much electrical load your home can handle is crucial. But what does that really mean, and how can you tell if your home is overloaded? Let’s dive into it.
Looking for an electrician company in Bridgewater, MA or surrounding areas? Give us a call today!
What Is Electrical Load Capacity?
Electrical load capacity refers to the amount of electricity your home’s wiring and panel can safely handle.
Every circuit in your house is designed to carry a specific amount of electricity, measured in amperes (amps). If you exceed this limit, it can cause your circuit breakers to trip or, even worse, create a risk of electrical fires.
The total load your home can handle is determined by the size of your electrical panel.
For most modern homes, a 200-amp panel is typical, though older homes may have panels with only 100 amps. The larger your electrical panel, the more electricity your home can safely use at one time.
If you need help changing electric outlets in Bridgewater, MA or surrounding areas, AMCO Electric & Energy has you covered!
Signs Your Home Might Be Overloaded
So, how can you tell if your home is exceeding its electrical load capacity? There are several warning signs that can indicate your home’s electrical system is struggling to keep up with your energy demands.
Frequently Tripping Circuit Breakers One of the clearest signs of an overloaded system is when your circuit breakers keep tripping. While circuit breakers are designed to cut off the power when a circuit is overloaded, constant tripping is a red flag that you’re pushing your system too hard.
Flickering or Dimming Lights If your lights flicker or dim when you turn on appliances or other devices, it could be a sign that your circuits are overloaded. This happens because power is being diverted to the larger appliances, leaving less available for your lights.
Warm or Hot Electrical Outlets Outlets that feel warm or hot to the touch are another indicator that your system is working too hard. This is a serious issue and could lead to an electrical fire if not addressed.
Buzzing Sounds from Electrical Outlets or Appliances Buzzing or humming noises coming from your outlets or appliances could be a sign of an electrical overload. This can indicate that your wiring or outlets are struggling to handle the current passing through them.
The Smell of Burning or Scorch Marks If you ever smell something burning or see scorch marks near outlets or on your electrical panel, it’s time to call an electrician immediately. These are signs that your system is under severe strain and could be at risk of causing a fire.
More Electrical DIY Tips!
Why Homes Are More Prone to Overloading Today
Back when many older homes were built, the electrical systems were designed to power the basics: lights, a refrigerator, maybe a few appliances. Fast forward to today, and the average home has significantly more electrical demand. From home offices loaded with computers and monitors to entertainment systems, gaming consoles, and smart home devices, our electrical consumption has grown exponentially.
Then, add in high-energy-use appliances like electric stoves, HVAC systems, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and it’s no wonder that many homes find themselves approaching or exceeding their electrical load capacity. If your home was built 30 or more years ago and hasn’t had an electrical system upgrade, it might be time to evaluate whether your system can handle modern demands.
Need to swap out an old electric panel in Bridgewater, MA or surrounding areas? Give us a call today!
How to Safely Increase Your Electrical Load Capacity
If you suspect that your home is overloaded, don’t worry—you have options. As a licensed electrician, I help homeowners regularly upgrade their systems to handle more electrical load safely. Here’s how we do it:
Upgrade Your Electrical Panel The most common solution is upgrading your electrical panel to a higher capacity, such as moving from a 100-amp panel to a 200-amp panel. This allows your home to handle more appliances and devices without risking overloads or frequent breaker trips.
Add More Circuits Sometimes, adding additional circuits can alleviate the burden on your existing ones. This is particularly useful if certain rooms or areas in your home (like a kitchen or home office) require more power than others.
Install Dedicated Circuits for High-Energy Devices For appliances and devices that consume a lot of power, like an electric vehicle charger or a large air conditioning unit, installing dedicated circuits ensures they don’t draw too much power from your main circuits. This helps balance your home’s load and keeps everything running smoothly.
Conduct an Electrical Load Evaluation We can also perform an electrical load evaluation to assess how much energy your home is consuming and determine the best course of action for any upgrades. This ensures that your home is ready to handle today’s power demands—and any future ones as well.
When to Call an Electrician
So, when is the right time to call in a professional? If you’ve noticed any of the signs I mentioned earlier—frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, warm outlets, or buzzing sounds—it’s best to get in touch with a licensed electrician sooner rather than later. Even if you haven’t noticed these signs, if your home is more than 30 years old and you’ve never upgraded your electrical panel, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection.
An overloaded electrical system isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a safety hazard. Electrical fires are one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States, and many of them are preventable with regular maintenance and upgrades. At AMCO Electric & Energy, we can help you assess your home’s electrical load capacity and recommend the best solutions for keeping your home safe and energy-efficient.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your home’s electrical load capacity is key to ensuring your safety and the smooth operation of your household. As our energy needs grow, older electrical systems can struggle to keep up, putting your home at risk. If you’re concerned that your home may be overloaded, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation and provide expert recommendations to keep your home running efficiently.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact us at AMCO Electric & Energy!
We Provide the Following Services, and More!
Electrical Service
Electrical Service and Troubleshooting
Read More!Generators
Generator Installation and Service
Read More!Electric Panel Service
Electric Panel Service
Read More!Lighting Installation
Lighting Installation
Read More!EV Charging Stations
EV Charging Stations
Read More!Electrical New Construction
Electrical New Construction
Read More!Heat Pump Installation
Heat Pump Installation
Read More!What Our Customers Say
AMCO Electric & Energy
5.0
AMCO Electric & Energy
5.0
I couldn’t be happier with the service provided by AMCO Electric and Energy! They recently installed a Generac Generator for me, and the entire experience was top-notch.
From the initial consultation to the final installation, their team demonstrated professionalism and expertise.
Areas Serviced
- Attleboro, MA
- Bridgewater, MA
- Dartmouth, MA
- Dighton, MA
- Easton, MA
- Foxboro, MA
- Mansfield, MA
- Middleborough, MA
- Raynham, MA
- Rehoboth, MA
- Swansea, MA
- Taunton, MA
Dighton, MA
Call - (508) 665-1776
Text - (508) 938-8670
