4 Ways You’ll Know if You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
When your electrical system is functioning properly, you can have peace of mind that the currents running behind your walls and through your floors are efficiently delivering adequate power to each corner of your home. But if an outlet isn’t working, your lights flicker for no reason, or your electrical panel feels warm to the touch, then you may have a growing electrical problem. These signs may indicate that it’s time to upgrade or replace your electrical panel.
1. The Age of Your Home
The age of your home can sometimes indicate when your electrical panel will require an upgrade. With the lifespan of an electrical panel estimated anywhere between 25 to 60 years, some fast math might tell you where you are on the timeline. An older home with the original electrical box that was installed when it was constructed might be begging for an upgrade. It largely depends on when the panel was installed and your electrical needs.
Electrical panels installed more than 30 or 40 years ago will have a difficult time meeting the demand for modern devices and appliances. Therefore the electrical demands on these older panels are significantly greater. This puts a heavy burden on the electrical system, which can pose a real fire hazard.
2. Your Home Has a Fuse Box
Have you heard the expression “blowing a fuse?” When a fuse blows in a fuse box, it’s because the electrical draw on the circuit has exceeded the supply causing the metal fuse to melt and no longer function. Rather than simply flipping a switch on a breaker, a melted fuse needs to be replaced by an electrician in order to restore power to that circuit. Not only is it inconvenient to maintain a fuse box, but there are other things to worry about than the fuses themselves. If you still have a fuse box, the wiring throughout it will also be a concern over time.
With the lifespan of a fuse box estimated to be around 50 years, any home that still houses a fuse box should consider upgrading the service. The dangers posed by fuse boxes are so serious that many insurance companies will refuse to insure a home with a fuse box due to the increased fire risk.
3. Breakers Tripping Continuously
The electrical demands on the average home were lower ten, even twenty years ago than they are today. The size of modern appliances, the number of devices we have constantly connected to the internet, and the demand for charging mobile devices put a lot of pressure on a home’s electrical circuits. Having an electrical panel with breakers that trip consistently is a warning sign that your circuits are overloaded.
Tripping breakers also affect the life of your electronic devices and appliances; sudden stops and starts with the electrical flow can damage sensitive electronics. Sometimes the solution is to add additional circuits to your electrical system. Adding circuits may not be possible for older electrical systems, and a panel upgrade may be required.
4. A Warm Electrical Panel
Excessive warmth in anything electrical is always a warning sign. Feeling the heat on your electrical panel is a concern you should call your electrician about. Overheating in electrical systems is a sign that something is wrong, either with a loose connection or too much power drawing on an overtaxed electrical supply. Upgrading your panel to a 200-amp supply is one solution that your electrician may recommend. Not investigating the cause of an overly warm electrical panel could put your home and you at risk for an electrical fire.
What Amp Service Is Ideal?
Homes that are 30 years and over usually have a power supply of between 60 and 100 amps. The standard service for newly constructed homes is 200 amps. While your home may not be newly constructed, the appliances within your home likely need a higher service to operate safely and effectively. Upgrading your home’s electrical panel to a 200-amp service will ensure you have an adequate electrical supply whenever you need it, no matter what devices or appliances you want to add to your home. An upgrade will also help to protect your electronic devices and appliances from unnecessary damage caused by voltage fluctuations and overloaded circuits.
Electrical Panel Upgrade or Replacement in Edmonton
If you are looking for a licensed electrician to upgrade your electrical panel to 200-amps, call us at MMi Electrical. Making sure homes in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and surrounding areas are safe is our No.1 priority.