Upgrading your circuit panel enhances safety and efficiency by allowing you to integrate modern features into your home electrical system. It also offers enhanced protection against electrical fires, prevents short circuits, and future-proofs your home. Here are some ways to know when to upgrade your electrical panel for better safety and efficiency.
Insufficient Amperage Capacity
Older homes with original circuit panels offer between 60 and 100 amps, a far cry from the 200 amps the average modern home requires. That means your old junction box may not offer adequate power if you have recently renovated your home or added new appliances. A panel upgrade ensures sufficient power for all electrical needs in your home.
Compliance With Insurance Requirements and Electrical Codes
Electrical codes are periodically updated to maintain safety. That means you may need a panel upgrade if the electrical system in your home doesn’t comply with current code requirements. Moreover, upgrading your breaker box can help you maintain your homeowner’s insurance plan since some insurers only cover properties with modern electrical panels.
Buzzing Sounds or Burning Smells
Burning smells or unusual sounds, like buzzing, may indicate your junction box has a serious issue. They are often due to failing breakers, overheating, and faulty wiring. Since they pose a fire risk, be sure to contact a licensed electrician immediately for inspection and a potential upgrade.
Outdated Electrical Panel
If your home was built before the 1960s and still has the original electrical panel, chances are you are using fuses instead of modern circuit breakers. Fuses are outdated since they require manual replacement when they blow, making it easy for homeowners to unknowingly use incorrect sizes and expose their homes to potential electrical fires. When you upgrade your junction box, you change to circuit breakers, which have enhanced safety and efficiency.
Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Circuit breakers prevent potential electrical fires by shutting off power when circuits become overloaded. However, they should not trip frequently since this might indicate that your breaker box can no longer handle the power load. Furthermore, a circuit breaker that won’t stop tripping may wear out fast and become ineffective, making your home vulnerable to electrical fires. To prevent this, upgrade your panel so that it can safely accommodate increased power usage.
Relying Heavily on Power Strips and Extension Cords
If you rely heavily on extension cords or power strips, chances are your breaker box lacks sufficient capacity to support the needed number of outlets in your home. Consistently using extension cords and power strips can overtax your circuit panel, causing an overload and possibly an electrical fire. When you upgrade, you get the opportunity to install extra outlets and reduce the need for power strips or extension cords.
An overloaded or outdated junction box can compromise efficiency and expose your home to serious risks. Understanding when to upgrade this component is crucial since it helps prevent hazards and ensures your home electrical system efficiently supplies power to all modern appliances and electronics. Keep your home safe and efficient and schedule professional panel upgrade services with Nichols Electric and Plumbing in Rochester, NY, today!
