When Should You Replace Your Electrical Breaker Panel?

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In Avon, Farmington and Plainville and the surrounding area there are some old homes. If you have a home that still relies on a fuse box with "Edison base" screw-in fuses, it's a clear indication that your electrical system might be behind the times. Fuse boxes are prone to inefficiencies and safety risks compared to modern circuit breaker panels. Many insurance companies will not insure homes with fuse panels and require a electrical panel upgrade. Call us today for a evaluation by one of our service experts. 

 With many of the older homes built over the past century in Avon, Farmington and Plainville and the surrounding area your home may have a panel in it that could be dangerous. If your electric panel was manufactured by Zinsco, Federal Pacific, I-T-E Push-matic, or GTE/Sylvania brands, it's crucial to take action immediately. These electrical breaker panels were recalled years ago due to severe safety defects, and continuing to use them puts your household at risk. An upgrade to a safer and more reliable panel is vital to protect your home and family. Insurance companies also recognize these electrical panels to be dangerous and usually require a electrical panel box upgrade. 

Is your panel full and you need more space? With a load calculation we can determine whether or not a new electrical panel can be used or a service upgrade is required. Electrical breaker panels that are overloaded beyond the manufacturers intent are dangerous and should be rectified. An Electrical Panel box upgrade would give more space and alleviate any double taps or improper tandem breakers .

Adding a new electrical Load like a new AC , heat pump or electric heating will require a code calculation to determine if your current electrical service can handle the new load. A service upgrade may be required depending on your current breaker panels ampacity. If your panel is simply lacking space and the code calculation is acceptable a electrical panel box upgrade may be all that is needed.  

Adding a car charger is similar to HVAC loads and  will require a code calculation to determine if your current electrical service can handle the new load. A service upgrade may be required but if your breaker panel simply lacks space a electrical panel box upgrade may be required. 

 An electric breaker panel that has become wet can corrode on the terminals and busbars causing a bad connection and ultimately result in a overheating condition or electrical failure. Water typically enters the meter or outside cable and follows the wiring in to your electrical panel box. If your panel had water dripping from it call us today for one of our service experts to evaluate .  

 A tripping breakers in your electrical breaker panel could be attributed to  a overloaded circuit or more than one circuit on a breaker as shown above typically referred to as a double tap. A double tap is utilized to bandaid a space issue when a breaker panel upgrade is required. Upgrading your electrical panel box for more space and or more circuits would be the required fix. Have you had issues with tripping breakers recently?

 Heat from your electrical breaker panel could be attributed to  a overloaded circuit or more than one circuit on a breaker. This can result on a condition that causes the connections to become hot and compromised. An electrical panel box that emits a buzzing sound or feels unusually hot to the touch should not be ignored. These symptoms can indicate an overloaded panel or loose connections, or a overloaded circuit which all may necessitate an upgrade to prevent hazardous situations.  

 If your electrical panel box  is located in an unusual or inconvenient area, such as a bathroom or closet, it might hinder access for maintenance or emergency situations and not be code compliant for clearance. Per NEC, the breaker panel must be accessible with proper vertical and horizontal clearances or in the case above a dry location panel is in a bath room that is considered damp not only violating location ratings but also has a toilet in the working clearances. 

 Over time, electrical components degrade and become less efficient. If your home's electrical panel box is several decades old, upgrading to a newer breaker box with advanced safety features like AFCI and GFCI breakers and improved overload technology is a prudent decision.