Why Your Electrical Panel Can’t Do It Alone

Your home’s electrical panel (or breaker box) is the brain of your electrical system, but sometimes, a problem occurs after the current leaves the panel. And one of the most dangerous and elusive issues an electrician deals with is electrical arcing.

So if you’ve ever flipped a light switch and seen a tiny, fleeting blue spark. Well, that’s a mini arc. But when actual arcing occurs within your home’s wiring or behind an outlet, it can quickly turn into a catastrophic fire hazard.

Which is why at Northwest Contractors, we want to ensure that never happens as your safety is our top priority. Hence, in this blog, we’ll break down what electrical arcing is, why it’s so dangerous, and how you can protect your home.

Firstly, What Exactly is Electrical Arcing?

Electrical arcing occurs when electricity jumps a gap in a circuit that is supposed to be continuous. So basically, think of it as a small, sustained lightning strike inside your wiring.

This phenomenon requires two things: a fault (like loose, damaged or corroded wiring) and voltage (the electrical power trying to flow).

So when the current jumps the gap, it creates intense heat (often reaching over 5,500 °C, which is even hotter than sun!) and emits a bright, continuous spark. This heat is more than enough to ignite the plastic insulation around the wires, nearby wood framing or drywall. Therefore, leading to a rapid and devastating fire.

The Two Types of Arc Faults

1. Series Arc Fault: This happens when there’s a break in a single conductor (wire). The current must jump a gap, creating the arc. A common cause is a nail accidentally driven through a wire.

2. Parallel Arc Fault: This is more dangerous. It happens when electricity jumps from a damaged hot wire to a neutral or ground wire. This creates a high-power path that bypasses the normal circuit resistance, generating immense heat very quickly. The causes of this include damaged insulation or moisture.

So Now, Here Are 5 Warning Signs of Electrical Arcing

Unlike an electrical overload, which causes a standard circuit breaker to trip, arcing can be subtle. Your standard breaker might not trip until the arc has already caused significant damage.

So to avoid that, here are five signs that could indicate an arcing fault in your home:

1. Burning or “Fishy” Odours:
This is the plastic wire insulation or surrounding material melting. So if you smell this anywhere, it’s an emergency so call an electrician immediately.

2. Discoloured or Warm Outlets/Switches: If an outlet cover is brown, scorched or feels noticeably hot to the touch, this is a clear sign of internal overheating due to a bad connection.

3. Buzzing or Sizzling Sounds: Hearing unusual, persistent noises coming from a wall, outlet, or your electrical panel is a major red flag.

4. Flickering or Intermittently Functioning Lights/Appliances: While this could signal an overloaded circuit, it can also be a sign of a bad connection or loose wiring that’s creating an arc.

5. Frequent Breaker Trips (on newer homes): If your home was built or upgraded within the last 15-20 years, you likely have Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) installed. If these specialised breakers trip, they are detecting an arc and should never be ignored or reset without inspection.

The Solution: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)

Since standard circuit breakers are designed to protect against overloads and short circuits (not necessarily arcing), modern building codes require a specialised solution: the Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI).

How AFCIs Keep You Safe:

An AFCI is a sophisticated breaker designed to continuously monitor the electrical current for the telltale signature of an electrical arc. If it detects this characteristic pattern, it instantly cuts power to that circuit, thus preventing the arc from creating a fire.

However, if your home is older and not protected by AFCIs, you have a significantly higher risk of fire due to arcing, especially in bedrooms and living areas.

So Don’t Wait – Secure Your Home

Whether your home has an ageing fuse box or modern wiring, the threat of electrical arcing is real. So if you notice any of the warning signs above, do not attempt a DIY fix. 

*It’s important to understand that attempting to fix electrical faults without proper training is extremely dangerous.

At Northwest Contractors, our certified electricians specialise in diagnosing hidden electrical issues, upgrading panels and installing AFCI protection to ensure your home is protected from the devastating threat of arcing.

If you’re worried you might have arcing or even suspect it, get in touch with us at Northwest Contractors today for a full electrical safety inspection.