Expert Electricians in Mesa, AZ

Understanding the Basics of a Home Electrical System Homeowners and renters need to have a basic understanding of a home's electrical system. This will help ensure that the system is maintained correctly and working safely and efficiently. Working knowledge of a home's electrical system is essential. However, only an experienced, licensed electrician should perform any upgrades or repairs. Electrical service panel Typically found in the garage, basement, or utility area, the electrical service panel is how electricity is distributed throughout the household. It's the entry point where power is brought into the house from either overhead or underground power lines. Usually placed close to the electric meter, the electrical service panel has breakers or fuses that can cut off power to different house areas. Depending on the home's age, the service panel will have either circuit breakers or fuses. Older homes usually have fuses, while more modern ones are equipped with breakers. The function of these is to prevent overload to different electrical lines, which, when overloaded, can cause fires. When too much power runs through a circuit, a fuse will trip and cut all power to that line. These will need to be removed and replaced with new ones. More modern breakers will flip a switch to the off position when overloaded. Restoring power is done by flipping the switch back to the "on" position.