Guidelines To Help Homeowners Know When To Invest In Residential Electrical Panel Upgrades

Posted on: 25 August 2022

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Unlike electrical appliances, your electrical panel would not break down and stop working. Instead, you will notice a slow decline in efficiency stretched over months before the system finally fails. This gives you an amnesty period when you can act before your residence is rendered without electricity.

And while you currently may not need an immediate upgrade, it's important to be aware of the signs that suggest one is imminent in the future. This article will address three guidelines to help homeowners like you know when to invest in residential electrical panel upgrades.

1. Your Circuit Breaker Trips Often

If your residence's circuit breaker starts to trip more often than it used to, this could be due to the panels' inability to contain the electricity being supplied to your house. You should treat things as an emergency and contact your electrician with your observations. The technician will come to your residence and conduct an in-depth electrical panel inspection.

If they establish that your residence is due for an upgrade, they'll help you make the necessary changes because this phenomenon poses a potential fire hazard at your residence. The electrician's main focus will be to ensure your electric panel can handle the increased electric load. In some cases, simply adding more circuit breakers may be all that's needed. However, if the problem is severe, they may recommend replacing your electrical panel entirely.

2. You Notice Sparks When You Plug in Appliances 

You should take electric sparks seriously because they indicate a lurking electrical hazard in your wiring system. This is especially serious when you notice sparks whenever you try to connect a power cable to a power outlet.

This could be a sign that your electrical panel is not up to code and needs to be replaced. The electrical current is likely jumping from one conductor to another, making your home appliances susceptible to damage. What's worse is, that these sparks can easily ignite an electrical fire. Thankfully, you can avoid any catastrophic outcomes by upgrading your electrical panel.

3. You Can't Run Your Appliances at Once

This is often due to insufficient power being supplied to the panel or because the panel itself is not able to handle the amount of electricity being drawn. If you constantly have to reset breakers or are forced to choose between running your dishwasher and using your hair dryer, it's time to call in a professional for an upgrade. With today's ever-growing dependence on technology, electrical panels are becoming increasingly overloaded. Thankfully, homeowners can commission residential electrical panel upgrades to increase the functionality of their homes.

 It's not always easy to know when you need residential electrical panel upgrades, but there are some telltale signs to keep an eye out for. If you're experiencing any of the above issues, ask an electrician about electrical panel upgrades.