Outdated Electrical Panels

Your electrical panel regulates the electricity coming in from your utility company and then sends it back out into the appliances and outlets in your home. If too much electricity is demanded from the home, a circuit breaker is tripped in the electrical panel to stop the electricity from overloading the wiring. An overload can cause a fire, so it’s the job of the electrical panel to break the circuit and regulate the electricity in the system to keep your home and family safe.

What is the problem with having an outdated electrical panel?

Older electrical panels were not designed to keep up with the increased electrical demands of a modern home. Many panels were installed at a time when the only electricity needed was to power a handful of lights. Unfortunately, older electrical panels have a hard time keeping up with the increased electrical demands on the system. Your appliances, televisions, computers, HVAC systems, lights and other electrical gadgets are increasingly energy efficient, but the average modern household uses more gadgets than ever before. If your home is more than 10 years old, your electrical system may not be able to keep up with your electrical demand.

How does an electrical panel work?

The main power line from your electric company connects directly to a power meter on the outside of your home. Then the line goes directly to the electrical panel. You can usually find your home’s electrical panel in a garage, utility room, closet or basement. It’s usually painted gray.

When you look inside the electrical panel, you will see rows of switches. These are the circuit breakers that distribute the main power line into smaller branch lines. Some of the switches are doubled or tripled together because they power appliances that require large electricity loads, such as air conditioners and electric dryers. Inside the electrical panel door there should be a label that maps out the locations of the outlets and appliances according to the numbers on the switches. The switches also have numbers on them that tell you how many amps the branch line can carry before the breaker switch is tripped. The electrical panel also has a main power breaker that can turn off power to the whole system.

How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be updated?

Old electrical panels can malfunction, but most of the time the problem stems from overloaded circuits. At first you might notice flickering lights or you might have to turn off an appliance in order to use another plugged into the same circuit. But if the panel is malfunctioning or defective, the breakers will trip often, or they will fail to trip and someone might be shocked. In the worst case, a breaker that fails to trip may cause fire, smoke and melted wires from overheating.

When should I have my electrical panel inspected?

If you’re reading this page, it means that you’re wondering about the status of your electrical panel, which means it’s time for a checkup. If your electrical panel is more than 25 years old, you should have it inspected as soon as possible.

If any of the following are true, it may be time for you to install a new panel:

• You hear crackling sounds from the electrical panel.
• You see corrosion and rust on the circuit breakers.
• The interior of the electrical panel feels warm.
• Appliances are running at less than full power.
• Outlets near water sources – such as sinks, tubs, dishwashers and clothes washers – are not GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters).
• You are always using extension cords.
• Your home has a 60-amp electrical service.
• Your home has 100-amp electrical service, but it still can’t operate some appliances.
• Your older home has a fuse block panel or split-bus panel, which do not have a main breaker.

What types of panels are unsafe and need to be replaced as soon as possible?

Your home’s electrical panel might have a serious defect if it’s more than 25 years old, because there are some electrical panels from that era that have known safety issues due to poor design. Electrical panels installed after 1990 are generally well designed and safe.

The following panels need to be replaced immediately:

• Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Electrical Panel. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission classified this panel as a safety defect warranting a new electrical panel. These panels, installed in homes between 1950 and 1980, have design and manufacturing defects that can cause fires and electric shocks.
• Zinsco Electrical Panel. Zinsco panels were taken off the market in the mid-1970s. They have a defective design that allows power to flow even when the breakers are switched off. Breaker switches also melt, which basically renders them useless. Zinsco electrical panels pose fire and shock hazards. Replace them with a new electrical panel immediately.
• Pushmatic Electrical Panel. Pushmatic panels have weak breaker switches that get harder to reset over time. They also do not have a main breaker switch to stop all power from flowing into the panel. Pushmatic panels need to be replaced with better functioning panels.
• Fuse Boxes. The oldest type of electrical panel is actually called a fuse box. Today’s homes require up to 200 amps of power or more. Fuse boxes can only handle 30-60 amps. In these older panels, every time a glass fuse broke, it had to be replaced. Many types of fuses are no longer available for purchase because they present a risk of fire and electrocution.

Should I replace my electrical panel if I’m doing a home renovation?

If you’re thinking about making a major improvement to your home, it’s the perfect time to assess the additional power that you will need. Room additions, kitchen remodels and major appliances such as heating and air conditioning systems, hot tubs, double ovens, garage door openers and outdoor lights all may require an expanded electrical panel. You may have to add outlets to a wall or special 240-volt circuits or a sub-panel for a generator.

Should I upgrade or repair my electrical panel?

In some cases, we’re able to repair your existing electrical panel rather than upgrade to a new system. Our electricians will determine whether your panel is a candidate for repair after they’ve had a chance to assess the current system and your household energy demands. Some key factors to determining electrical panel repair vs. replacement include the age of the electrical panel, reliability and safety.

What are the different types of electrical panel repairs?

• Circuit breaker replacement
• Circuit breaker installation and upgrades
• Rewiring the electrical panel
• Bus bar replacement
• Relocating electrical panel due to moisture or other concerns

Will WIREONE inspect my existing electrical system and advise me on next steps?

Of course! Your neighborhood electricians at WIREONE are standing by and ready to serve you. Give us a call today for a home electrical inspection. We’ll measure how much power is being used on the circuits, and we’ll thoroughly check the electrical panel to make sure it’s safe. If it’s not working properly or it needs to be expanded, our professional electricians can install a new panel that will exceed your state and local regulations. Keep your home’s power system in great shape and keep your family and property safe with a healthy electrical panel.