The electricity used to power your home is supplied by a box called the electrical panel. This contains all the circuit breakers that start and stop the flow of electricity to different parts of your home or different devices and appliances in your home. If you are using too much energy in your home, it might be time for a panel upgrade.
When should I upgrade or replace my electrical panel?
Older homes were not equipped to handle the load that we place on our electrical panel today. Not to mention with time, the panel deteriorates and can become a fire hazard. If you have an older home, it might be wise to have an electrician come to take a look to see if you have a dangerous situation. They will be able to assess your situation and let you know if you need a new panel due to age or due to a heavy load.
Adding large appliances such as a new air conditioner or a hot tub may also call for a panel upgrade, even if you have a newer home. There are different amperages of panels out there. Many older homes only have a 60 amp panel while newer homes are built with 100 or even 200 amps. If you are adding a lot of new devices or appliances, even a 100 amp panel won’t be able to handle the load. Again, a professional electrician will be able to assess your situation and recommend the best course of action for your home.
If you are noticing frequently tripped breakers, it may be time for a panel upgrade. A tripped breaker may not always mean you need an upgrade. It could mean you have a faulty breaker. When a breaker “trips”, it is protecting your home from danger. It notices there might be an issue such as too much electricity flowing through and stops the flow by tripping off. Test the breaker by unplugging all devices. Plug in each device one by one and test the breaker each time. If the breaker immediately trips off, it could be a faulty breaker. To be sure this is the case, connect with your electrician to do professional troubleshooting to find the issue.
In any case, it’s best to contact an electrician to see if you need a panel upgrade. With a professional electrician, you can be sure you are getting the best service out there. You will feel safe knowing that your electrical panel was checked out by an expert.
Whether it’s for a new installation of electrical equipment, or repair of any part of your existing electrical system, Elcon Electric can provide you with electrical services unparalleled by any other South Florida electrical contractors.