When is it time for an electrical panel update?

 5 signs that it's time to upgrade your electrical panel

That gray or white electrical panel in your home may not seem like much, but it's actually one of the most crucial aspects of your home, responsible for providing convenience and comfort in the form of electricity. This device brings electricity into your residence and directs it to the areas that need it most, but it is also sensitive to technological updates and has the ability to quickly become obsolete and overwhelmed. Do you need an upgrade to the electrical panel?

The modern appliances we use now may be more "energy efficient" than some of their previous generations, but most homeowners still use far more energy than ever before. In fact, electricity consumption has increased over the years. This means your old home may not support all of your modern electrical needs.

Below, we will address just a few of the more common signs that indicate that an electrical panel upgrade may be required.

1. You live on an old property

Many homeowners today appreciate older properties - not only are they practical, but they offer a cozy "retro" vibe that many people appreciate. However, even if you love your old-fashioned home, it might be time to embrace the future with your electrical panel.

If you're not sure how old your existing electrical panel is, here are some signs that it's not young enough to keep up with the modern workload:

Your appliances are not performing at their best

Your lights flicker

You have a faulty panel that won't turn off during overload

The use of multiple appliances triggers the switches

The panel appears to be melted or corroded

Upgrade your electrical panel
2. You constantly use extension cords

Extension cords are a common part of most homes, but they're not always as safe and comfortable as you might think. In fact, extension cords are usually designed for short-term use, perhaps during holidays or short-term events.

In addition to creating a serious tripping hazard, electrical wiring is usually held in or against walls for a purpose, a protected wiring system leads to less wear and tear. Those cords left scattered on the living room floor can be shorted, twisted, or pinched, resulting in damaged sockets, tripped switches, or even fires. If you're constantly turning to extension cords, it's time to upgrade your electrical panel and install a few more sockets.

3. You have fuses, not circuit breakers

If your home was built before the 1970s, a fuse-based electrical system may be installed. Although both fuses and circuit breakers perform the same function, it is worth noting that fuses are outdated and, unlike circuit breakers, do not trip when overloaded and melt, blow, or short circuit.

Electricians used fuse-based systems when the average home was not drawing such a significant amount of electricity, and overloading these devices today can be expensive, inconvenient, and even dangerous in rare cases. Due to the small fire risk, some insurance companies even prefer not to cover homes that still use fuses.

4. Your breakers trip frequently

If you are using circuit breakers instead of fuses, you need to know that they are designed to trip when inconsistencies are detected in the flow of electricity, preventing the system from overheating and causing a fire hazard. Although the trip is an important safety feature, if you constantly visit the switch box, this is a sure sign that something is wrong with your electrical panel.

Frequent intervention of the circuit often indicates that the electrical absorption in your home is excessive for your electrical panel, which means that it is time to upgrade.

5. You are updating your home or appliances

Upgrade your Electrical Panel

Finally, if you are expanding your home, renovating, or introducing new and exciting electrical products to your property, this could be a sign that you need to upgrade your electrical panel. After all, you need to make sure you have the power needed for your improved home to function properly.

Anything from a new room, to the addition of a major new appliance such as a refrigerator, hot tub, or air conditioner (not just a new toaster), could overload the existing electrical panel, damaging the performance of the whole. home.

It's not just about convenience

Remember, as important as updating your electrical panel may be to ensure you get the power needed for your modern appliances, it is also essential to update for safety reasons. After all, household electrical problems cause so much fires every year, which contributes to approximately $ 1.3 billion in property damage.

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