The Top Signs You Should Upgrade Your Home’s Electrical Panel

The electrical panel is essentially the “heart” of your home’s entire electrical system. It is responsible for sending electricity through your home to power all your lights, electronics, and other systems. If the panel begins to experience problems, you should get in touch with Arlington electricians right away to discuss having it replaced.

Are you unsure if it’s time to replace your electrical panel? If so, keep reading. Here you can learn about the top signs. It is time to make this investment.

It’s Age

Just like any other important equipment in your home, the electrical panel will experience wear and tear as it ages. After many years of working properly, it may begin to malfunction or stop working as efficiently as it once did.

While this is an important reason to replace the electrical panel, another factor relates to your panel’s age. Between the 1950s and 1960s, many homes in the U.S. were constructed with Zinsco and Federal Pacific Electric panels. These types of panels have been linked to electrocutions and fires. If you live in several decades-old homes, it’s a good idea to call an electrician to inspect the panel. If you are using a dangerous brand, it is time for an upgrade.

Flickering Lights

One of the most common signs of an electrical issue is flickering lights. While it is a possibility that the issue may just be a loose or faulty bulb, if you have lights that flicker off and on constantly, it’s never a good sign. Watch for signs of flickering lights when you do something like plugging in your toaster or turning on the microwave. If this happens, it indicates that even these simple tasks may overload the panel. This is another sign that it may need to be replaced.

Breakers That Trip Regularly

The reason that you have circuit breakers is to trip if the flow of the electrical current going to one circuit is too much. When this happens, the circuit will trip, keeping it from overloading and causing damage to your equipment. Even though this is normal and a sign that things are working properly when breakers occasionally trip if this happens more often than it should, it indicates some type of issue.

In some situations, the breakers will trip more than they should because the panel is wearing out and can no longer provide sufficient power to your appliances and other electric equipment. Even though there may be other reasons that the breakers trip, it’s best to contact an electrician to inspect the electrical panel. After all, you don’t want to live with a panel that cannot supply your home with sufficient electricity.

Fuses

In theory, your fuse box does the same thing as a circuit breaker panel. While this is true, fuses will stop the electrical circuit from getting overloaded but take longer to do this. As a result, they are not as safe as a circuit breaker. Also, each time a fuse is tripped, you must replace it, which can be a huge inconvenience. In most cases, upgrading to a circuit breaker makes more sense. 

Don’t Wait To Call An Electrician For Help

If you have noticed any of the issues listed here, getting in touch with an electrician is a good idea. They can inspect your home’s panel and electrical system for issues and ensure that there are no serious problems that need to be addressed. They can also replace the panel if needed. Being informed and knowing when there is an issue is the best way to ensure that you take the proper steps to repair the problem.