Most homeowners take pride in home maintenance and DIY projects. If you are in the habit of completing all of your own home maintenance, you might be hesitant to hire outside help. There are, however, certain jobs that require professional help. Electrical work, for instance, often requires the expertise of a professional.

Replacing an electrical breaker box is one type of job that can pop up in home maintenance. This quick guide will provide you with information on this important job and when it is a good idea to hire a professional.

When Is Upgrading the Electrical Panel Needed?

One of the main reasons a homeowner would need to replace a breaker box would be if the home was built a long time ago. In the past, breaker boxes were not built to handle the extra electrical load that all of our modern appliances place on them. Larger, more powerful appliances use more and more electricity. If you are running a lot of modern appliances on an old breaker box, you might notice that you often trip breakers. A solution to this problem is to install a new box that can handle the energy load.

Should You Replace the Electrical Panel By Yourself?

Generally, home maintenance can be done by homeowners. This is usually a great way to save money and even learn new skills. One exception to this, however, is when it comes to electrical work.

Unless you are a certified electrician, there are certain jobs that you should not do. In fact, there are certain jobs that it is even illegal for you to do. Most counties require that electrical work be conducted by a trained electrician and that the proper permits are granted from the county before the work can even start.

There are also often rules and regulations set in place by your insurance company that would prohibit anyone except a trained electrician from working on the box.

Breaker Box Dangers

The most significant danger of working on a breaker box would be the risk of electrocution. The breaker box is the location through which most of the home’s electricity flows. This means that this location carries with it the most significant danger of electrocution. Electricians are trained in how to avoid these risks.

Another risk would be the risk of damaging the wiring to the house. If you make a mistake and cause damage to the home’s wiring, it can be a long and expensive process to correct.

Electrical Capacity

Beyond the obvious physical dangers, there is also the issue of having the correct electrical capacity installed. In order to make sure that your home will have the proper amount of electricity flowing through the breaker box, you need to have the proper capacity box installed.

A professional electrician will be able to evaluate your home and your energy needs and then recommend the appropriate electrical capacity for your home.

The breaker panel is like the headquarters, command center, and motherboard (of sorts) of your home’s electrical system. Yes, that means it is an important aspect of your home’s efficiency, performance, and safety.

Perform an Annual Test of Your Electrical System
There are many reasons to have a licensed and insured electrician resource:

An average of 46,700 home fires each year are caused by electrical malfunction or failure.
Electrical failures and the second leading cause of home fires
These are only a few reasons why it is important to perform an annual test of your electrical system. In addition to safety, ensuring your home’s electrical system is sound will also ensure performance when you need and want it.

The moral of the story is to check your breaker panel regularly and have it inspected by a professional electrician. In addition to providing the security and safety you expect, and the performance you need for your electric devices, you will also get the most out of your breaker panel.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Breaker Panel?
When you plug in that appliance or that extension cord to your outlet, you expect it to deliver the power you need. You don’t want to worry about electrical problems, and taking care of your breaker panel means you can relax and plug in.

The good news is your breaker panel will last for a long time, on average more than two decades. In fact, the average life expectancy of a breaker panel is approximately 25 years. Even with regular checkups and inspections, there is a point when it will be advisable and safest to replace that panel.

How old is your home? Was the breaker panel already installed when you moved in? Do you know when your home’s current breaker panel was installed? Over time, like any circuit and control system from your vehicle to your breaker panel, age, wear, use, and many other factors can create issues.

Contact Walsh Electric for All Your Electrical Needs
If you need a professional inspection of your home’s electrical system or have electricity problems, then the friendly, professional and experienced team at Walsh Electric can help. Electricity is an amazing and trusted power source, but also a dangerous one. If you notice an electrical issue, don’t wait. Contact us if you have any questions or need to schedule an electrician today.