When to replace your Panel?

Common electrical residential installations consist of two electrical panels. The main service panel, which is commonly mounted to the exterior wall of your home and the interior panel, often located in your utility room or garage. If your panel is older, it most likely not set up for today's increased power needs and your home's panel may need to be upgraded. When should you consider replacing an electrical panel?

1. ELECTRICAL PANEL IS MORE THAN 25 YEARS OLD

The average lifespan of an electrical panel can range from 25-40 years. If your electrical panel is older than 25 years, a safty inspection is recommended. The panel can be operational for many years to come but if you experience any of the condition below, then it is time to think about a replacement.

2. BURNING / BURNT ODOR

This is alarming and you should take immediate action and safety inspection. When circuit breaker panels fail, it can cause house fires. Often, the burning smell will be either plastic or wood, as the plastic jacket of the electrical wire melts or the wood and insulation in your walls become scorched in which case it will be critical to replace your electrical panel.

3. BREAKERS ARE TRIPPING OFTEN

Circuit breakers are designed to trip and turn the flow of electricity off to protect your circuits from overloading. An outdated electrical panel can lack the capacity to allow for adequate electrical flow, leaving you with frequently tripped breakers.

4. YOU NEED MORE OUTLETS THAN ARE INSTALLED

While this may seem like an issue you can fix with a power strip, it’s not recommended to overload any single outlet. If there is room on your electrical panel, our electricians can add more dedicated circuits to install new outlets. But if your current electrical panel doesn't have the space for new breakers and circuits, or if the breakers are no longer distributed, then you will need to consider a panel replacement so that you can have new dedicated circuits to run your outlets.

5. NEW LARGE APPLIANCES

Bringing in a new appliance such as a dishwasher or an appliance that has a higher electrical draw than your old appliance will often require an added dedicated circuit. If your electrical panel is at capacity for new breakers, then the panel will need to be replaced before your new appliance can be installed.

6. FUSES INSTEAD OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Electrical panels that use fuses can be just as safe as panels that use circuit breakers to interrupt the flow of electricity, except when the installed fuse's capacity is too large for the circuit. Once a fuse blows due to an electrical problem or overlaoding, it has to be replaced while a tripped circuit breaker can be switched back on when the electrical problem is resolved. Electrical panels with fuses are older and often have less room overall for electrical additions. While there is nothing inherently wrong with fuse-based panels, it is best to have them replaced with circuit breaker electrical panels.

7. ELECTRICAL PANEL IS WARM OR HOT WHEN TOUCHED

Overheating of a circuit should trigger a circuit breaker to trip and protect your home from a potential electrical fire. If you notice that your electrical panel is warm or even hot to the touch, it can indicate a serious problem. Troubleshooting and repair or replacement should be done immediately.

8. RUST HAS FORMED ON THE ELECTRICAL PANEL

Any rust indicates that there has been water damage to your panel, and that’s a serious concern. Along with having the rusted panel replaced, it is critical to determine what caused the water damage, whether a leak in the roof or an issue with plumbing.

9. PANEL MAKES SOUNDS

Electrical panels should operate silently witha clicking sound when a circuit breaker is tripped. If you hear buzzing or hissing sounds from their electrical panel, it indicates that there is a bad wire or loose electrical connection. If left long enough, the faulty wiring can damage your electrical panel and wiring.

10. LIGHTS FLICKER OR DIM WHEN OUTLETS ARE IN USE

Your light shouldn’t be affected by plugging in the vacuum or using your microwave. If you see flickering lights, you should have an inspection of you panel and breaker to detmerine the cause.

11. DAMAGE

While electrical panels are low-profile and interior panels are often recedded into a wall, the panels can become damaged by a falling object or tree. If your electrical panel has direct damage, it is essential to have it inspected.