Main Service Panel Upgrades

What Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Understanding what the electric upgrade process entails is essential, even though a lot of people simply don’t know. If you haven’t had noticeable problems with your electrical system, you haven’t had much incentive to learn about upgrades.

Actually, though, you should know about electrical upgrades and why they are often necessary. Circuits that are faulty or overloaded could be dangerous, and possibly start a fire in your home.

Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Many common electrical issues are linked to a faulty electrical panel since the panel is linked to the entire electrical system. If the panel is malfunctioning, the damage is likely spread throughout the house.

As one electrical contractor put it: “Your electrical panel is like your heart—it’s vital to the overall health of your system.”

The following sections explain some reasons why you might want to consider an electrical panel upgrade for your home in the near future:

Your Home Still Has a Fuse Box or Your Electrical Panel is Unsafe for Other Reasons

Fuse boxes were the norm for homes through the 1960s, and quite a few homes still have them today. If yours is one of them, the fuse box should be replaced.

It’s not that the fuse box is dangerous in and of itself, though it can be pretty inconvenient to have to keep replacing fuses. Rather, it’s the various stopgap measures people may have taken over the years to keep the boxes functional.

These include inserting coins and other metal objects into the fuse slots as a way to avoid buying new fuses. Marginally functional, that is—and at great risk.

For both fuse boxes and circuit breakers, you should inspect the electrical panel, checking for things such as:

• Whether it is unusually warm or hot
• You hear crackling sounds coming from it
• You see corrosion or rust on the circuit breakers
• Name of the manufacturer

There are still some known faulty panels out there, so check that yours is not one of them. If it is, have it replaced right away. The manufacturers of these panels are Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), Zinsco, and Pushmatic.

If you’re concerned that your electrical panel might be a faulty or recalled model installed many years ago, do a search for the manufacturer’s name or call your utility company or an electrician to find out for sure.

If you have questions about Main Service Panel Upgrades call Lifetime Heating near Everett today (425) 296-3081