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Breaker Panel Checklist

Your breaker panel protects every circuit in the house. These are visual checks you can do safely from outside the panel cover, plus what an electrician looks for inside.

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Never remove the inner panel cover yourself. The parts behind it stay live even with the main breaker off.

Checks you can do safely

9 items

Breakers trip often or won't stay on
Panel feels warm or you hear buzzing
Burn marks, melted spots or a burning smell
Rust or water stains on or around the panel
Circuits are labeled clearly
GFCI and AFCI breakers trip when you press the test button
About 3 feet of clear space in front of the panel
Panel is 25 years old or more
You still have fuses instead of breakers

Red flags to call about

4 items

Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) or Zinsco panel
Aluminum branch wiring, common in homes wired in the late 1960s and early 1970s
Lights dim when large appliances start
Plans to add an EV charger, generator or major appliance

What an electrician checks inside

10 items

Panel is grounded and bonded correctly
Wire sizes match their breakers
No two wires sharing a terminal that isn't rated for it
Connections are tight, with no signs of heat damage
Neutrals and grounds are separated where required
Breakers are listed for this panel
No foreign material or corrosion on the bus bars
Unused openings are covered
Service wires, meter base and riser are secure and clear
Overall code compliance

Keep reading

Home maintenance calendar Indoor air quality checklist General FAQ Our Electrical services →

Checked a red flag?

Have an electrician look at your panel before small problems turn into a fire risk.

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