Dedicated circuitry is needed to power your outlets and heavy appliances. You even need it to power your microwave. What is a circuit? How many do you need? Sentry Electric answers these important questions.
What is an Electrical Circuits?
Simply put, an electrical circuit is an engineered circular path the electricity takes to do work. The light switches in your home are powered by circuits. When you flip them on, electricity flows in the closed circuit and sends power to your fixtures and bulbs, and you have light. Any electronics and electrical applications work off the idea of circuits. A circuit always begins and ends in the same place. Think of a circuit like a revolving door for harnessed electricity. A dedicated circuit is no different than a regular circuit. It’s just put aside to provide power for one specific appliance, tool or piece of equipment. These dedicated circuits are required by National Electric Code (NEC) for all major appliances. More so for appliances that use large amounts of power that can have fluctuations in voltage. Portable tools like electric drills and hairdryers can also have dedicated circuits.
House Electrical Wiring Basics; How Many Circuits Does Your Home Need?
The number of circuits you’ll need in your home will all depend on the size of your home, the number of appliances you have, the limits of your breakers and how many outlets your home needs to function correctly. Because all these variables can change, the number of circuits you’ll need will equate to this: as many as it takes. Anything that has a switch, motor or needs to be plugged in will most likely need a circuit. It may not need a dedicated one though. So, how do you determine the number of circuits you will need in your home? This is where a qualified electrician comes in. There are signs that will let you know if you don’t have enough circuits. These include lights that flicker, breakers that flip frequently, appliances that stutter and bulbs that burn out frequently. There are other issues than these, but they can get tricky, and often have other causes as well.
Should I Upgrade My Electrical Panel?
The circuit breaker in your home usually lasts 25 to 40 years. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if it might be time for an upgrade. Does your home still have a fuse box? Is your home more than 20 years old? Is your electrical panel warm? Does the electrical panel smell? Does the electrical panel trip often? Do your appliances run at full capacity? Do your lights flicker or dim frequently? Are you upgrading your appliances or adding on to your home? Do you find yourself using a lot of power strips?
Electrical Services in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut
When it comes to electrical problems, diagnosing the problem is only half the solution. Most homeowners have little idea of what exactly an electrical issue is, much less how to fix it. Sentry Electric can take care of any issue to ensure optimal home performance. Our technicians have the know-how to fix the electrical issues in your home. Give us a call today!
