Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your Electrical Panel

Have you just bought an old home? Is the electrical system unreliable and weak? These are signs it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel. Keep reading for more insight regarding what exactly a damaged or outdated system looks like.

Frequently Tripping Breakers

A breaker trips when the system becomes overloaded and is about to short circuit. The system will flip off to protect itself from potential damage and electrical fires. If you think your panel and wiring don’t have any damage, then you can reset the breaker and continue about your day. However, if this problem happens frequently, then that means there is a problem with either the panel or wiring. An electrician can expertly determine what is causing the issue, and then they can repair or upgrade your electrical panel.

Outdated System

The capacity of older panels isn’t nearly what it is today, with some having a limit of only 60 amps. Modern panels, though, can range from 100 to 200 amps to give you a more reliable and powerful hub. If lights often flicker or dim, this could be a sign of an electrical system that you need to upgrade to handle its output. Also, older panels can start to corrode or melt, which is a major fire hazard.

Hot Panel

It should be a major warning sign if your panel is hot to the touch. This means something is causing it to overheat, and you should shut off the system as soon as possible. If you continue to use a hot panel, then it will likely cause fires and short circuits.

Fuse Panel

If your home was built before 1970 and hasn’t had major renovations since then, there is a strong possibility that your home operates on a fuse panel as opposed to an electrical panel. Fuse panels don’t trip when they’re overloaded; they short circuit, melt, or even do both. As an outdated piece of technology, you should replace the fuse panel in your home as soon as you get a chance. In the meantime, be very aware of the voltage capacities of your current system so that it doesn’t overload.

Remolding & Upgrading

Whether you remold your home or a single room, it typically will include upgrades that cause the electrical output of a room to raise. That means that there are new daily stresses placed upon your electrical systems, and if you don’t account for those changes, then it could cause frequent trips. Also, you should get an inspection done whenever installing new major appliances, like washers or refrigerators. Whenever you make upgrades, you must make sure your home can handle the wattage.

If you happen to notice any of these signs it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel, don’t hesitate to call an electrician for help because your damaged system is a fire hazard that risks your whole home.

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