Experiencing loss of power, loss of half your home's power or intermittent power loss? Corrosion at your electrical meter and or electrical panel could be the cause and is preventable!

Why Temperature Changes Cause Electrical Problems and Loss of Power in Maine Homes

Seasonal temperature extremes don't just affect your comfort—they put serious stress on your home's electrical infrastructure and are a leading cause of loss of power in Maine homes. Electrical connections expand and contract, components work harder, and existing issues that were manageable suddenly become electrical emergencies requiring immediate attention from a professional electrician. Sudden power loss or recurrent outages are especially common in older Maine homes with aging electrical systems that haven't been updated to handle modern power demands.

Severely corroded electrical panel, showing significant rust buildup and degraded components that was replaced due to the main breaker failing

Real-World Example: Temperature-Related Electrical Failure and Power Outage

The corrosion seen in this panel clearly had been building for years. Ultimately, water damage to the main breaker in the panel caused a complete power failure—and in this case, a total loss of power to half the house. The determination was made to replace the panel instead of just the main breaker, which is usually a more affordable and safe solution. Water entering the panel was addressed more than 5 years prior, implying that the water damage to the breaker dated back at least five years before we took this picture. The breaker continued to work without issue until the recent heat wave, particularly when temperatures peaked at 105°.

This electrical panel corrosion didn't happen overnight. While the corrosion visible is not solely due to temperature fluctuations, the poor connections resulting from the corrosion were exacerbated by the temperature swinging from the 60-degree Maine springtime average to over 100 degrees. Electrical components under a load naturally expand with temperature changes, increasing the risk of power loss and unexpected electrical failure. For this Cape Elizabeth home, repeated temperature cycles stressed connections and components over time. The homeowner only discovered the danger after losing power—what could have been scheduled electrical maintenance became an expensive, emergency electrical repair. While we cannot prove that temperature change was 100 percent the culprit, the influx of calls for loss of power during the heat wave, especially during the hottest days, provides compelling evidence. Further substantiating this is the NEC (National Electrical Code), which recognizes that electrical components have different ratings based on ambient temperature. Unknown to many, circuit breakers trip not just due to excessive amperage but because of excessive heat buildup—a phenomenon closely tied to ambient temperature and increased risk of power outage.

Warning Signs of Temperature-Related Electrical Problems and Potential Loss of Power

The inside of a corroded meter enclosure shows what could be considered average corrosion for an outdoor component. However, when temperatures hit 105 degrees, the effects of the corrosion were amplified, and voltage levels periodically dropped below the threshold needed for home devices—resulting in intermittent power loss.

Maine homeowners should watch for these indicators suggesting your electrical system is under temperature stress and at risk of power outages:

• Clocks losing time throughout your house – indicates dangerous voltage fluctuations that precede partial loss of power

• Appliances turning on/off unexpectedly – sign of system instability, sometimes leading to a complete power outage

• Flickering lights—even if it only happens when first turned on

• Visible corrosion on your electrical panel or meter

• Sizzling or crackling sounds from your electrical panel—a sign that loss of power could be imminent

• Frequent circuit breaker trips, especially the main breaker

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  Corroded components inside an electrical meter reveal signs of wear and potential hazards, highlighting the need for maintenance and inspection.

Emergency Electrical Services: What Portland Area Homeowners Should Do During a Power Outage

Immediate Action Required:If your main breaker has been tripping frequently, or you hear sounds coming from your electrical panel, shut off the main breaker immediately to prevent further electrical failures or total loss of power, and call Greater Portland Electric at (207) 360-9710. We provide same-day emergency electrical services throughout Cumberland.

For Suspicious Electrical Warning Signs:While electrical safety protocols require me to recommend shutting off your main breaker for any electrical concerns—especially when sudden power outages have occurred—I understand that on a 95-degree day with a "there might be a problem" diagnosis, that's not realistic for Maine families. A reasonable compromise is to be extra cautious if you notice these warning signs along with any recent power loss or outages.

How Does Water Enter My Electrical Panel and How Can It Be Prevented Moving Forward?

Water intrusion is a surprisingly common source of electrical problems and loss of power in Maine homes. Water often enters the electrical panel through the main service cable—the large wire running from the electrical meter outside to your electrical panel, typically entering through the center top of the panel. When water seeps through this cable, it drips directly onto the main breaker and the bus bar, which distributes power to the rest of your home's circuit breakers. Over time, water dripping onto the main breaker dramatically increases the risk of electrical failure and power outages. This can result in a partial loss of power (one leg losing power) or even a total loss of power throughout the property.

Another serious issue caused by water entering the panel is corrosion of the bus bar. Corroded connections between the bus bar and individual branch circuit breakers can lead to intermittent power, flickering lights, and ultimately complete loss of power in certain parts of your home

Preventing Loss of Power and Electrical Emergencies in Maine: Professional Electrical Inspections

Emergency electrical repairs—especially those caused by loss of power during temperature extremes—cost at least twice as much as scheduled maintenance. A quarterly self-check of your electrical panel and meter can help identify problems before they lead to unexpected electrical failures, power loss, or costly emergencies.

This step is critical for homes in areas with older electrical systems, which are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and the risk of power outages. Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Westbrook, Kennebunkport, Wells, and Kennebunk have a high percentage of remodeled or older homes, often featuring outdated electrical panels or metering—making them especially prone to the complications that cause loss of power.

With a completely free yearly inspection offered by Greater Portland Electric, you can prevent unexpected loss of power and reduce your risk of expensive emergency repairs.

Professional Electrical Services in Greater Portland Maine

At Greater Portland Electric, we offer comprehensive electrical services, including:

• Emergency electrical repairs (60 minutes or less response time), including loss of power troubleshooting

• Electrical safety inspections

• Electrical panel upgrades

• Residential and commercial electrical services

• EV charging station installation

We serve Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Windham, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Saco, Westbrook, and Old Orchard Beach with licensed and insured electrical services—helping homeowners avoid power outages and maintain electrical system reliability.

Free Electrical Evaluation for Maine Homeowners

We offer complimentary in-home electrical evaluations to all Greater Portland area residents. Our goal is to catch electrical issues—helping you avoid loss of power—before emergencies happen.