Electrical panels, also known as breaker boxes, are essential when it comes to the performance, safety, consistency and efficiency of electricity in a home or business. Unfortunately, many property owners encounter major problems with electrical panels that require constant adjustments and cause limited electrical performance. If you’re considering a breaker panel upgrade, but you’re unsure whether the time is right, keep reading to find out what to look for to know whether your electrical panel is out of date.
Signs that it’s time for a breaker box upgrade
An out-of-date electrical panel is more likely to have performance problems. In addition, electrical panels that are out of date are at higher risk of malfunctioning and starting fires. With that in mind, it’s important to be aware of when it’s the right time for a breaker panel upgrade. Here are some things to be aware of to make sure you know when it’s the right time to upgrade your breaker box:
• Constant tripping: One of the most common signs that it’s time for a breaker panel upgrade is constant tripping. If your circuits seem to trip every time you plug an appliance into a certain outlet or power up an extra device, it’s very likely your breaker panel doesn’t have the capacity to handle your home’s or business’s electrical needs. Not only is constant tripping an annoying and inconvenient issue to deal with, it also indicates that your electrical system might be unsafe. If you notice that your circuits trip often, it’s a good idea to consider upgrading your electrical panel.
• Disorganized wiring: A breaker panel is supposed to be organized and make it easy for property owners to manage electrical power throughout a home or business. Unfortunately, organization is not always a reality for property owners—especially those with old or damaged breaker panels. If your breaker panel is filled with a mass of disorganized wiring, it’s definitely time to consider an upgrade.
• Remodeling plans: Most property owners focus on aesthetic and functional changes when planning a remodel, but there are a lot of things below the surface that should come into play as well. Oftentimes, a remodeling project requires upgraded electrical systems to support new wiring and additional appliances. If you’re planning a remodeling project, it might be time to upgrade your breaker box to make sure your electrical system has the capacity to support expansion.
• Old age: Even if you haven’t noticed any major performance problems with your breaker system, it might be time for an upgrade if your breaker box is more than 20 years old. Most breaker boxes last between 20 and 30 years, so keep this in mind when considering whether it’s time for replacement.
Professional breaker panel upgrades
For a professional breaker panel upgrade to improve the performance of your electrical system, reach out to the team of experts at Walsh Electric. For decades, we have been committed to providing the highest quality electrical services possible to our customers, including breaker panel upgrades and wiring repairs. Find out more about everything we have to offer and get started with a consultation and a quote by giving us a call today.