When to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
As a home or business owner, it’s critical to recognize the signs that point toward needing a new electrical panel. An older electrical panel can fail to protect you during a system overload, which can result in serious electrical hazards, including catastrophic fires. In this post, we’ll discuss the warning signs of a failing electrical panel so you can rest easy knowing your building is safe.
Is It Time for an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
Only a licensed electrician can determine if your panel needs upgrading, but there are a handful of signs that your home’s electrical panel needs to be inspected. Whether you have an old panel with known failure-to-trip issues or you’re dealing with regularly tripped breakers, here are some of the telltale signs it’s time for an electric panel upgrade.
1. Strange Smells or Burn Marks
If you’ve noticed any burning smells or scorch marks near your panel, call a professional electrician immediately. Electrical fires in the home account for 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in damage every year.
2. Panel is Hot to the Touch
Any time you notice your panel is warm or hot to the touch, you should consider a new panel. If you feel even more than a mild warmth when you place your hand on it, shut off the main circuit breaker and call a licensed electrician right away.
3. Buzzing, Humming, or Crackling
Irregular buzzing, sizzling, popping, and crackling sounds indicate it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade. It may be caused by overloaded circuits, loosened wiring, or worn-out breakers, but it’s best to leave the diagnosis (and repair) to a trusted professional.
4. Outdated or Unsafe Panels
Several older electrical panels and breaker boxes are considered unsafe by modern standards. If your home’s panel is any of the following models, you should schedule an upgrade:
- Challenger (GTE-Sylvania or Cutler-Hammer)
- Federal Pacific Electric (Stab-Lok)
- Pushmatic (Bulldog)
- Zinsco (aka GTE-Sylvania or Sylvania)
5. More Than Twenty-Five Years Old
Most electrical panels last 25 to 40 years, so homes built before the 1990s probably need a new panel. It’s also a good idea to factor upgrading into any major home renovations. You may also utilize two-prong outlets in your home, which usually lack proper grounding and represent a shock or fire hazard.
Upgrade Your Home Electrical System
On average, the cost of upgrading your panel can range from $1,000 to $5,000, with permits for the panel upgrades costing $50 to $400. However, an upgraded electrical panel can lower your monthly utility bills significantly, reduce your insurance liability, and increase your property value.
At R.W. LaPine, our qualified electricians can help address your energy usage, replace an older electrical panel, and get your electric system in optimal shape. So, whether you’re experiencing electrical issues or you’re just concerned about your existing panel, call us today to schedule an inspection.