How to Tell If Your Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade: 8 Signs to Look Out For

If you live in an older home or have a lot of electrical appliances and devices, you may be wondering if your electrical panel can handle the load. Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system, and it distributes power to all the circuits in your house. But if it's outdated, overloaded, or damaged, it can cause serious problems for your safety and comfort.

In this blog post, we'll explain how to know when your electrical panel needs an upgrade, and what are the benefits of doing so. We'll also share some tips on how to choose the right electrician for the job. Here are the 8 signs to look out for:

1. Your electrical panel is more than 20 years old. Electrical panels are designed to last for decades, but they're not meant to last forever. Over time, they can wear out, corrode, or become obsolete. If your electrical panel is more than 20 years old, it may not meet the current codes and standards, and it may not be able to handle the modern electrical demands of your home. You should consider upgrading your electrical panel to a newer model that can provide more power and protection.

2. Your electrical panel has fuses instead of circuit breakers. Fuses are an older type of electrical protection device that can blow when a circuit is overloaded or shorted. They have to be replaced every time they blow, which can be inconvenient and costly. Circuit breakers are a newer type of device that can trip when a circuit is overloaded or shorted. They can be reset by flipping a switch, which is much easier and cheaper. Circuit breakers also offer more safety features, such as arc-fault and ground-fault protection, that can prevent fires and shocks. If your electrical panel has fuses instead of circuit breakers, you should upgrade it as soon as possible.

3. Your circuit breakers trip frequently. Circuit breakers are designed to trip when a circuit is overloaded or shorted, which is a good thing because it prevents damage and fire hazards. But if your circuit breakers trip frequently, it means that your electrical panel is not able to handle the amount of power that you're using in your home. This can be caused by having too many appliances and devices plugged in at the same time, or by having faulty wiring or devices that draw too much current. You should upgrade your electrical panel to a larger one that can accommodate more circuits and amperage.

4. Your lights flicker or dim when you use other appliances. Lights flickering or dimming when you use other appliances is a sign that your electrical panel is struggling to provide enough power to all the circuits in your home. This can happen when you use high-wattage appliances, such as hair dryers, microwaves, or air conditioners, that draw a lot of power from the same circuit as your lights. This can also indicate that your wiring is loose or damaged, which can cause voltage fluctuations and power loss. You should upgrade your electrical panel to ensure that each circuit has enough power and that your wiring is in good condition.

5. Your outlets or switches are hot, discolored, or sparky. Outlets or switches that are hot, discolored, or sparky are signs of overheating or arcing in your electrical system. This can be caused by loose connections, faulty wiring, or overloaded circuits that generate too much heat and resistance. This can pose a serious fire risk and damage your appliances and devices. You should upgrade your electrical panel to prevent overheating and arcing and replace any damaged outlets or switches.

6. You smell burning or see smoke from your electrical panel. Burning or smoke from your electrical panel is a clear indication that something is wrong with your electrical system. This can be caused by short circuits, loose connections, faulty wiring, or overloaded circuits that create sparks and flames inside your electrical panel. This can result in a fire that can spread quickly and cause severe damage to your home and belongings. You should upgrade your electrical panel immediately if you smell burning or see smoke from it.

7. You hear buzzing or humming noises from your electrical panel. Buzzing or humming noises from your electrical panel are signs of vibration or loose parts in your electrical system. This can be caused by loose connections, faulty wiring, or overloaded circuits that create noise and friction inside your electrical panel. This can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of your electrical system, and increase the risk of fire and shock hazards. You should upgrade your electrical panel if you hear buzzing or humming noises from it.

8. You need more outlets or want to add new appliances or devices to your home. If you find yourself using extension cords or power strips to plug in more appliances and devices in your home, you may need more outlets or circuits to accommodate them. Extension cords and power strips can be dangerous if they're used improperly or excessively, as they can overload your circuits and cause fire and shock hazards. If you want to add new appliances or devices to your home, such as a hot tub, a home theater, or a solar panel system, you may also need more outlets or circuits to power them. You should upgrade your electrical panel to add more outlets or circuits to your home, and to ensure that they're installed safely and correctly.

Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

How to Choose the Right Electrician for Your Electrical Panel Upgrade

Call Forney Electric for a Professional Electrical Panel Upgrade in Forney, TX