The electrical panel in your home is also referred to as the circuit breaker panel. No matter what you call it, this panel is the central hub in your home for all electricity needs. Each breaker in the panel connects to an area of your home. When there is a surge of power, the breaker trips to protect your home from electrical damage.
You may think that this part of your home will last forever, but even electrical panels need upgrades once they reach 25 to 40 years of age. If you need an electrician in Carrollton, TX, give our team a call. If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel, read on to learn the top four signs.
Your Home Has a Fuse Box
If you live in a home that was built before 1960, you may have a fuse box. Fuse boxes are increasingly rare as these older homes receive electrical upgrades, but it’s still a possibility. A fuse box has fuses in place of circuit breakers. They can be dangerous because when there is a surge of power, the fuse blows and has to be completely replaced. Circuit breakers are easier to use and much safer for your home and your family.
Your Home is 25 Years or Older
Even if you don’t have a fuse box, it may still be time for an upgrade. If you’ve lived in your home for 25 years or longer, you may need a new electrical panel. The number one concern with older electrical panels is safety. Electrical wiring and connections wear down over time. Plus, older electrical connections simply aren’t designed to stand up to the demands of our current electricity needs.
A home with an electrical panel that was installed 20 to 30 years ago can handle between 60 and 100 amps of voltage. Current electrical panels can handle as much as 200 amps – double or triple the capacity. And when you have TVs in several rooms and phones and laptops to charge, you need the capacity.
Tripping Breakers
Breakers trip when there is too much electrical demand on a single circuit – usually a room in your house. For example, you may have your phone plugged in and charging alongside a lamp and then you plug in your hair blow dryer. You trip a breaker, and the electricity to this room turns off to protect your home from damage.
You have to go to the electrical panel or circuit breaker to turn that circuit back on again. It’s not a big deal if you trip breakers occasionally, but tripping them frequently is a sign that your electrical panel needs an upgrade. Allowing breakers to trip without addressing the problem can cause even more damage to your electrical work.
Lights Flickering
You may notice your lights flicker once in a while when there is a power surge in your home. These power surges are usually small, so they don’t pose any risks. But if your lights flicker all the time without a reason, your electrical panel definitely needs an upgrade. Your home may not be able to handle the electrical capacity that your needs demand.
Get it done right… Right now! Schedule your appointment today to get an electrical assessment and customized plan for upgrading your electrical panel.
