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Common warning signs of an overloaded electrical panel or meter box include frequent circuit breaker tripping, flickering or dimming lights, scorch or burn marks, and a burning scent coming from the panel. A circuit breaker trips as a protective measure to prevent overheating and potential fires. If you observe any of these signs, turn off the affected circuit breaker and move some devices to a different circuit. If the problem persists after turning the breaker back on, you should contact a professional electrician to resolve the issue.

Often, you can add extra breakers to an electrical panel. A new breaker can help with new appliance needs, and it’s a common solution when finishing an attic or basement. However, adding extra breakers can’t bring in more amps to your house, so you still need enough amp service to power everything in total. 

To install an outlet from existing wiring, you’ll need to choose a location where you can already access existing wiring. The easiest way to do this is to install an outlet on the other side of the wall of an existing outlet. 

Since the wiring is already in place, all you have to do is connect a new cable to the existing wiring and then connect the correct wires through the wall—to the new electrical outlet. Place your new outlet into the opening in the wall and then connect the correct wires to the appropriate terminal screws.

Yes, one wire is always hot on the 3-way switch, meaning it carries the electricity from the power source to the switch. If you have a 3-wire cable in your home, you have two hot wires, or line wires, coming from the power source. Typically, you’d connect the hot black wire from the power source to the traveler wire and the hot red wire from the power source to the first 3-way switch. For the second 3-way switch, you’d then connect the hot black traveler wire to the switch.