Did You Ever Do Domino Toppling?
You know—that fun chain reaction when one domino falls and the rest follow in sequence.
In the electrical world, we use the term domino effect to describe what can happen inside your breaker panel. If a single bad breaker overheats, it can sometimes burn and spread damage to adjacent breakers. Left unchecked, this chain reaction can ruin your entire electrical panel—and that’s a costly problem to fix.
The good news? You can take some simple steps to help prevent this from happening:
1. Don’t overload your circuits.
If you’re tripping the same breaker often, that’s a red flag that it’s working harder than it should.
2. Schedule preventive maintenance.
Have a qualified electrician check your breaker panel annually. They’ll look for signs of overheating, loose connections, and wiring issues before they turn into major problems.
3. Do the touch test.
Open the panel door and place your hand on the plastic surface of the breakers. If you notice any hot spots, it’s time to call in a professional.
4. Watch (and smell) for warning signs.
Unusual noises, burning smells, or discoloration around your panel are all serious signs that something isn’t right. Don’t ignore them—call an electrician immediately.
By following these steps, you can avoid expensive repairs and keep your electrical system safe and reliable.