Electrical Panels

The electrical panel serves as the control center for the home’s electricity, distributing power from the utility company to individual circuits. It contains circuit breakers or fuses to prevent damage to wiring and appliances. Panels are typically located in basements, utility rooms, or garages and are designed to last for decades with proper installation and maintenance.
Warrantability
Alberta & New Home Warranty Standards:
- 2 Year Distribution Warranty: Electrical systems are covered under distribution including tripping breakers caused by improper installation, such as wiring defects or poorly installed circuits, or a material failure of the breakers.
- The warranty does not cover misuse or homeowner modifications.
Builder’s Warranty:
Builders are responsible for ensuring properly installed electrical panels within the first two years, including issues such as loose wiring or improper positioning.
Manufacturer’s Warranty:
Breakers and panels may have manufacturer warranties of 5–10 years, covering defects in materials or workmanship. However, misuse, improper modifications, or external damage may void this warranty.
Maintenance
Preventative Maintenance Tasks:
Visual Inspections:

Look for signs of corrosion, discoloration, or loose wires inside the panel at least annually.
Label Circuits:
Ensure each circuit is labeled correctly, both for convenience and to avoid overloading breakers.
Test Breakers:

Test each breaker to confirm functionality by flipping it off and back on. Contact a professional if a breaker feels loose or does not reset.
Professional Inspections:
Have the panel inspected by a certified electrician every 3-5 years to ensure safe operation. Regular assessments are especially important for older homes or when adding high-demand appliances like EV chargers or HVAC systems.
Common Issues, Causes, Warrantability, and Repair Solutions
1. Tripped Breakers
Cause:
- Tripped breakers often result from overloaded circuits (e.g., running too many appliances on one circuit), short circuits, or grounding faults. They can also be caused by a defective breaker.
Warrantability:
- Breakers that trip due to defects in installation or faulty components are covered under the one-year fixtures warranty
- Two-year distribution system warranty depending on the cause. Improper usage is excluded.
Repair Solution:
- If Within Warranty Period: Reach out to serviceQ to assess whether the breaker or wiring is defective.
- If Outside Warranty: Contact a certified electrician to troubleshoot the faulty breaker and resolve overloaded circuit issues.
2. Buzzing, Sparking, or Burning Smells
Cause:
- These issues are often caused by loose wiring connections or arcing within breakers, improper panel installation, or a failing fixture (e.g., breaker or bus bar).
Warrantability:
- Faults related to panel fixtures are covered under the one-year warranty,
- Wiring or distribution-related errors are covered for two years. Environmental factors (e.g., water intrusion) are excluded.
Repair Solution:
- If Within Warranty Period: Immediately report the issue to ServiceQ for a warranty claim.
- If Outside Warranty: Disconnect power to the panel and hire a certified trade to investigate the wiring or fixture deficiencies.
3. Corrosion or Moisture Inside Panel
Cause:
- Corrosion typically stems from exposure to moisture, either through an external source (e.g., leaks near the panel) or poor sealing during installation. Long-term exposure can result in rusted breakers, connections, or the panel box itself.
Warrantability:
- Damage caused by improper sealing or installation is covered under the two-year distribution warranty. Corrosion from environmental factors is excluded.
Repair Solution:
- If Within Warranty Period: Contact ServiceQ to have the source of moisture identified and the corrosion addressed under warranty.
- If Outside Warranty: Hire a licensed electrician to replace the corroded fixtures or panel box and determine the source of water damage.
4. Breakers That Won’t Reset
Cause:
- A breaker that does not reset may be broken, improperly installed, or may be responding to an unresolved short circuit or ground fault in the wiring.
Warrantability:
- Breaker-related issues are covered under the one-year warranty,
- Wiring/ground fault issues fall under the two-year distribution warranty.
Repair Solution:
- If Within Warranty Period: Contact ServiceQ to evaluate the issue and replace the breaker or repair wiring faults as needed.
- If Outside Warranty: A certified electrician should replace the breaker and diagnose any underlying electrical system problems.
5. Capacity Issues (Overloaded Panel)
Cause:
- An overloaded panel can result from insufficient capacity (e.g., 100-amp panels in homes requiring 200 amps) or the addition of high-demand appliances such as an electric vehicle charger or air conditioner.
Warrantability:
- Capacity issues caused by improper panel installation or planning may be covered under the two-year distribution warranty.
- Customer-added loads are excluded.
Repair Solution:
- If Within Warranty Period: Notify ServiceQ to verify if the capacity issues stem from the panel’s installation.
- If Outside Warranty: Consult a certified electrician to upgrade the panel to handle greater demand (e.g., replacing a 100-amp panel with a 200-amp panel).
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, technical, or warranty advice and Qualico and its affiliated companies make no warranty whatsoever with respect to such information, including (but not limited to) for fitness for a particular purpose. Product warranties are governed by manufacturers’ terms and conditions, and proper maintenance is required to uphold functionality and coverage. Qualico and its affiliated companies are not liable for any injury (personal or otherwise), harm, personal damage, or property damage caused by (i) the use or misuse of, (ii) neglect related to, or (iii) unforeseen events related to, the information provided above. For specific warranty and maintenance details, please refer to the manufacturer’s documentation.


