Signs Its Time To Replace Your Electrical Panels

Is your home prepared to handle modern electrical devices? Whether you’re installing a central air conditioner or plugging in an electric vehicle, all your electrical needs must go through your electrical panel. A panel that’s too small can cause issues and prevent your devices from working properly, so reach out to an electrician in Winnipeg for repair or replacement services if you notice any of these signs.

Frequently Tripping Breakers

An electrical panel uses multiple breakers to protect your home. If a single line attempts to draw too much power, the breaker will trip. This may be an inconvenience, but it’s designed to protect you from electrocution and electrical fires.

When a breaker trips during normal use, it’s a sign of an electrical issue. A licensed electrician can determine whether the breaker is too small for the load or if there’s a short circuit.

If there’s a short circuit or grounding issue, you may not need to replace the panel. This issue can be solved by repairing an appliance or wire in your home, which can be a more affordable service than a full panel replacement.

Flickering Lights

Dim, flashing or flickering lights are all signs that a breaker is overloaded. You may need to separate lights into multiple circuits, but you may also need a new electrical panel. Discuss the available electrical repair services to see if you could reduce the load on a single breaker or if the issue is the entire panel.

Old Electrical Panel

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, an electrical panel is only expected to last around 60 years. After this time, your panel may not work properly. An older panel, especially if it’s a fuse box rather than a breaker panel, poses safety issues. Don’t wait until you lose power throughout your home or you experience an electrical fire before updating your electrical service.

A fuse box or a panel with visible rust should be replaced promptly. Rust could be caused by a moist atmosphere, but it could also be caused by a nearby water leak that may need to be repaired as well.

Undersized Panel

Most recent constructions use 200 amp panels. These panels ensure you have a large enough electrical service to handle all your appliances, lights, devices, additions and other needs. Many homes don’t need a full 200 amps, so some are still being built with 100 amp panels.

If your home is 30 years old or more, then you may have a 60 amp panel. Even a 100 amp panel may not be suited to your home’s electrical demands, so a 60 amp panel is far too small. You need a licensed electrician to work with your local power company to run a new, thicker gauge wire to your panel to upgrade your panel amperage.

Significant Electrical Demands Throughout Your Home

You don’t need to upgrade your panel just because it’s smaller than the new standard, but you should review your home’s electrical demands. Adding chargers, electrical appliances, TVs and other items throughout your home may mean you’re using more electricity than your home was 30 years ago.

Energy-efficient appliances can help reduce electrical demands. Review your electrical usage with a licensed electrician and discuss the ways you can reduce your usage and improve your panel capabilities. Sometimes it just takes a modern AC unit or refrigerator to keep your 100 amp panel safely powering your entire home.

Contact an Electrician in Winnipeg

Explore the pros and cons of a new electrical panel for your home in Winnipeg. If you’re ready to update your electrical system and keep your home safely powered, then request an estimate from our team at Handyman Connection.