3 Signs It’s Time for an Electrical Panel Upgrade

A home’s main electrical panel is usually tucked away in a garage or basement, out of sight and out of mind. Homeowners generally only need to pay attention when a breaker trips and they have to reset it. But like any other equipment, electrical panels age, wear out and develop problems over time. When that happens, electrical safety can suffer.

Of course, electrical panels don’t exactly have blinking lights or countdown timers to tell homeowners when they need to be replaced – they generally have to figure that out for themselves. So this article will lay out the telltale signs if it’s time for electrical panel replacement!

The Home Still Uses a Fuse Box

The first way to tell that the electrical panel needs replacing is easy – if the panel itself is a fuse box rather than a circuit breaker. Fuse boxes started being phased out of new home construction in the 1960s in favor of today's circuit breakers. 

Fuse boxes aren’t just inconvenient (whenever a circuit is overloaded and a fuse is blown, the fuse must be replaced), they also pose a higher risk of electrical fires. Modern circuit breakers are much safer, more convenient, and less expensive (since homeowners won’t have to shell out for new fuses). In addition, any home with a fuse box likely isn’t up to the latest electrical codes, so an electrical panel upgrade may be essential for code compliance.

The Electrical Panel Is Old, Rusty, or Corroded

Even if the home’s electrical panel uses circuit breakers rather than fuses, it may still be outdated and out of code if installed more than a few decades ago. Electrical panels should be replaced every 25-40 years to keep up with changing electrical codes and avoid issues caused by wear and tear. The panel may have a date of installation written on it somewhere, but if not, homeowners can hire an electrician to determine its age.

An old electrical panel may also show signs of corrosion or rust after years of exposure to moisture and the elements. This may come in the form of rust on the metal box housing the breakers or a chalky white substance on the terminal screws and other metal components inside the box. Corroded electrical components are unsafe and should be replaced immediately to avoid fire hazards or other electrical problems.

The Breakers Keep Tripping

Another sign it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade is if the circuit breakers frequently trip. If only one breaker has this issue, it may simply be that that specific circuit is overloaded with electronics. But if multiple circuits are affected, it likely indicates that the electrical panel can’t handle the home’s electrical needs.

This issue is common in older homes with original electrical service panels. Today’s homes have much higher electricity requirements than older homes – older panels weren’t designed to handle all the additional amperage used in today’s electronics-heavy households. Upgrading to a newer electrical panel will ensure that the home’s energy needs will be met, improve electrical safety, and keep the home compliant with the latest codes.

Of course, electrical work is dangerous, so homeowners should always hire a qualified electrician for electrical panel installation!

About All Services

The experts at All Services have been handling Crown Point’s electrical service needs for over 50 years. As an award-winning local business, they have a reputation for fast responses, top-notch customer service, and impeccable workmanship. Their licensed, bonded, insured, and background-checked technicians always show up in fully stocked trucks, provide up-front pricing, and leave every home better than they found it, guaranteed. Don’t hesitate to call All Services for electrical panel replacement in Crown Point, IN!

Contact Information:

All Services

1119 N Main St
Crown Point, IN 46307
United States

Ryan Ferry
(219) 488-2213
https://www.callallservices.com/