Learn When It’s Time For An Electrical Panel Upgrade
Without electricity, would your house even be a home? All of your cozy lamps, cooking appliances, electronic devices and more depend on it to function. Your electrical panel runs tirelessly behind the scenes to provide for all your power needs.
Since electricity is so important for a functioning home, you may be wondering when you should invest in an electrical panel upgrade. At Benchmark Electrical Services, we help our Frisco community answer this very question. If you’re wondering if it’s time to retire your old panel, it’s crucial to know the signs that a replacement is necessary.
1. Dim Or Flickering Lights
Dimming or flickering lights are a sign that your energy needs are too much for your panel to handle. If your lights struggle while you’re using appliances such as a hair dryer or dishwasher, you should upgrade your panel. Not only does this help prevent the device from burning out, but it also increases the comfort and functionality of your home.
2. Old Panel
An electrical panel typically lasts 25 to 40 years, depending on the wear and tear. Events such as power surges, defects and damage shorten this lifespan, so it’s important to be aware of the device’s condition. If you have an older breaker panel or a fuse box instead of breakers, you may need to schedule an upgrade.
In the 1960s, people gradually transitioned to using circuit breakers within an electrical panel, but you may find fuse boxes in older homes. These boxes are similar to circuit breakers, but unlike circuit breakers, fuses must be replaced after they are overloaded. This means that circuit breakers are safer and more effective than fuse boxes. Hire an electrician to take a look at your panel if you’re worried about its age or condition.
3. Electrical Fire Hazards
The wires in your panel can quickly burn out and cause electricity-related fires. These fires can go undetected, but there are some ways to check for danger. Key indicators of an electricity fire are:
- Burning odors coming from your panel
- Charred outlets
- Burn marks around circuit breakers
If you see these signs, this appliance should be upgraded immediately to avoid a house fire. Electricity fires are one of the primary causes of house fires in the United States. To protect you and your family from harm, make sure you stay on top of panel upgrades.
4. Tripped Breakers
Circuit breakers are designed to consistently control the flow of the power getting drawn into your home. Even though it is common for a circuit breaker to trip every once in a while, it should never trip multiple times a month. If you find yourself constantly flipping your breaker back on, your device might need to be upgraded.
5. Increase In Power Demand
When your electricity needs grow, you’ll need an appliance that can support your power demand. You may need to replace your panel if you don’t have enough outlets in your home or if you purchase a new, high-amperage appliance. Examples of these appliances include:
- Freezer or fridge
- Dishwasher
- Oven
- Washing machine
- Dryer
Whether you’re remodeling a room or just upgrading older appliances, your existing system may not be able to handle the increase in amperage. To avoid overloading the panel, consider scheduling an upgrade.
Schedule Frisco Electrical Repairs Today
If you’re ready to replace your electrical panel, it’s time to contact Benchmark Electrical Services. We inspect and upgrade Frisco homes to ensure maximum comfort and functionality. Contact us today to schedule an upgrade!