Do You Smell Something? Smoke Can be a terrifying smell when you recognize it's in your home!
One of my relatives learned, older home electrical circuits were not designed to handle the load of todays appliances.
Homes can look perfect from the surface. They can have all the cosmetic advantages of vinyl siding, updated windows and insulation. Behind those nicely decorated walls and floors can be a hidden terror ready to strike at any time.
Electrical services coming into older homes were fine for the years when the home was built. Most homes have far more electronics and cooking updates than those of homes in the 1950's, constructed just after world War II.
In the case of my in-laws their home of 50 years has everything updated and looks like "House Beautiful". I never gave the electrical service a thought. They didn't either.
Their microwave decided to give up the ghost and quit, after 25 years of humming service. Of course our lives can't live without a microwave, cell phone or voice mail. They were at the local appliance dealer the next day. Did they ever get a beauty. The new microwave nestles under the kitchen cabinet just as cozy as the old one. It has a few more buttons and heats food in seconds.
With the old one out and the new one in place, the installer says, "let's give it a try. Do you have anything I can heat?"
Everyone is all smiles, they punch a few buttons and quiet as a mouse the plate inside twirls to give a new meaning to even heat! Half way through the heat cycle the installer says, "do you smell something?" The verbal thought was quickly dismissed as a first time use of the unit and a combination of the pie being heated as a reward for the installers great job.
Ding chimes the finish of the heating cycle and the pie is ready for whipped cream. The installer says one more, "Do You Smell Something?" He then questions the in-laws on where is the electrical box. They show him and the small vision of smoke comes into view as they approach the area of the box.
The original electrical box with 60 amp service coming into the home. For those of you that do not know, today's modern homes have a minimum of 100 amp services. This one is only 40% shy of that benchmark.
The keen smell of an appliance installer caught a potential fire hazard before it happened. He enjoyed his pie, they all laughed and unplugged the microwave until an electrician could be called. The appliance installer said to them, don't use any of your electrical appliances until someone looks at that electrical panel.
Do you think they will ever buy any appliances anywhere else? I think not. Service is going the extra mile and your reward...pie of course!
Just as an update, the electrician came. Move a couple of the circuit breakers and the box caught fire! It was quickly extinguished and $800.00 later the home has a new electrical panel and meets today's code.
Holidays Bring added electrical use, cooking, lights and family. Make sure your electrical service can handle the extra load and added power use. Use home safety as your guide, have your electrical checked if you are unsure. Time weakens systems and circuit breakers. Call a licensed electrician.
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