The electric service panel in your home is a critical component of safe and reliable electrical output. As such, the health and functionality of the panel should be assessed on a regular basis. You will want to avoid the temptation to ignore any potential concerns that present themselves as they can be indicators of serious problems. For your own understanding, we have put together some of the most common signs that it is time to upgrade your Milwaukee home’s electrical panel.
Burning Smells & Discoloration Around Outlets Or Electric Panel
Outdated or faulty wiring can lead to burning or other strange smells near the breaker box itself. That burning smell might be accompanied by spots or markings, and discolorations, around either electrical outlets or the electrical service panel. The presence of these markings indicates a similar issue to the burning smell.
Flickering Lights
Not only are flickering lights annoying, but they are also an indication of potential problems with your electrical panel wiring. It may mean that the wiring is loose or otherwise faulty. Loose or faulty wiring can pose an electrical fire hazard but is easily remedied by an electric service panel upgrade that is properly conducted.
Frequently Tripping Breakers
While the occasional breaker overload is not usually something to worry about, frequently tripping breakers are cause for concern. You should be particularly concerned if breakers trip from seemingly minimal electrical requirements at one time. Be on the lookout for circuit breaker issues, such as a breaker that will not reset, and that requires an immediate call to your electrician.
A Fuse Box
If your building still features a fuse box, rather than a circuit breaker panel, it is time for an upgrade. Fuse boxes are most commonly found in homes built prior to the 60s, and they are an issue because their capacity caps at 60 amps, which is not enough for the current 200 amp requirement average.
A Building More Than 20 Years Old
The building does not have to be from before the 1960s for its service panel to need replacement. In fact, if it is just 20 years old, it is time for an inspection as homes that are around this age or older often feature electrical service panels with capacities only up to 100 amps, at the most. By comparison, a house stocked with modern appliances will generally need 200 amps.
Renovations
With modern appliances in mind, you will likely want to upgrade your service panel if you are going to be undertaking renovations. Many renovations include upgrading electrical appliances, such as dishwashers and mounted flatscreens. With these appliance upgrades, you will quickly find yourself in need of more electrical output.
Code Violations
There are many local electrical codes that stipulate things like electrical panel placement, configuration, and capacity. Suspecting that your service panel may be in violation of any codes is an excellent reason to schedule an inspection with a professional electrician or a professional service panel upgrade. Many code violations can be addressed with an electric service panel upgrade.
Schedule An Electric Service Panel Upgrade Today
Now you know some of the various signs it might be time to upgrade your electrical panel. Be sure to only hire professional electricians for service panel upgrades. Integrated Building Systems’ technicians are your professional electricians in Milwaukee who are fully equipped for the job. Read more information about what our electric service panel upgrades involve, and contact us today for a free estimate on our electrical services!
