Your electrical panel is responsible for safely distributing power to all your home’s outlets. When it’s no longer working reliably, it’s time for a replacement. However, it can be difficult to determine when your electrical panel is on its last legs. To ensure your home has the power it needs and prevent safety issues, you need to know when it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade. In this blog, the expert electricians from Penguin discuss electrical panel lifespans and signs you need an upgrade.
What Causes Electrical Panels To Fail?
There are many reasons that an electrical panel may fail. Most commonly, homeowners replace their panels due to age. However, you may find that you need an upgrade sooner. Many electrical panels malfunction because the home has modern electrical needs that are more than the panel can handle. This is often due to remodels, home additions, or new appliances.
How Long Do Electrical Panels Last?
Most electrical panels last around 20 to 40 years. The exact lifespan varies and depends on the manufacturer, when the panel was made, and other factors. Regardless of the brand or model of the panel, you can always prolong its lifespan with routine electrical maintenance. These tune-ups allow electricians to find and fix minor issues before they become major problems, preventing breakdowns and costly repairs while extending the lifespan of the electrical panel.
Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
Call a professional electrician for a panel upgrade if you experience any of the following:
- Frequent breaker trips: A tripped circuit is your panel’s way of protecting against overheating. If your breakers constantly trip, you likely need a new panel.
- Flickering lights: Conn, which problems within the panel or overloaded circuits are common causes for your lights to flicker constantly.
- Burning smells: Hot outlets or burning smells indicate an overloaded electrical panel, which can result in high wattage being distributed to a small area.
- Additional electrical needs: If you have added space or appliances to your home, your panel may no longer be able to keep up with your electrical needs. An electrical panel upgrade will allow you to run your new systems safely and efficiently.
- Fuses instead of circuits: A fuse-based electrical system isn’t as safe as those with circuit breakers since fuses won’t trip when overloaded. Instead, they will melt, blow, or short-circuit your electrical system.
Choose Penguin for Electrical Panel Services in Phoenix, AZ
If your Phoenix home needs an electrical panel upgrade, call the licensed and insured electricians at Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical. We offer free estimates on these replacements and a “Job Done Right” guarantee to get you superior service at a great value. We believe in giving every customer the VIP experience. Plus, with our 100% money-back guarantee, there’s never been a better time to invest in your home’s electrical system!