When Is It Necessary To Upgrade the Electrical Panel?
A lot of people tend to see updated electrical codes as being unnecessary and irritating. However, updated electrical codes are necessary to keep modern buildings safe and ready to accept the new demands placed on them. As building technology gets better, it becomes necessary to implement new building practices to keep up with the times. Upgrading electrical panels is one of the things that is becoming increasingly more common as society continues to use more electricity.
Upgraded electrical panels remove some of the dangers that have arisen from outdated equipment of the past. Additionally, new electrical panels can replace old equipment with new equipment that is more user-friendly and safer.
But knowing when to replace the panel can be a daunting decision. Luckily, there are opportunities to have a panel replaced without major interruptions in electrical service.
Old Wiring Problems
Whenever a home has wiring problems, they need to be addressed immediately. Wiring problems can run the range of inconvenient to hazardous. Wiring problems are most common in older homes that were built according to outdated codes with inferior materials. This means that the electrical panel is also likely outdated. Even if a newer home is having frequent wiring problems, these problems put extra stress on the electrical panel.
When an electrician comes to fix wiring issues, it is a prime opportunity to upgrade the service panel. Upgrading the service panel will ensure that the wiring and panel are compatible and that the home is protected from overcurrent and fire hazards.
Installing New Appliances
It is common to need an electrician's help when installing new appliances. New appliances may have different electrical demands than what was common when a home was built. As a result, the current wiring may be too small, and the overcurrent protection may be outdated. This means that the new appliance could present a hazard.
Having an electrician install appliances can ensure that the home's infrastructure can support the new appliance. During installation, the electrician can inspect the wiring and electrical panel to ensure it is safe and up to code. If it is not, they may recommend replacing the panel.
Adding Circuits To a Home
One of the best times to upgrade a panel is when a homeowner wants to add circuits to their home. In most homes, electrical panels are completely full, leaving no room for expanding service to the house. As a home demands more electricity with increased lighting needs, appliances, and room additions, it becomes necessary to get a bigger panel to serve the new circuits.
Over the years, homes' demands for electricity have increased. People are using more electricity today than they were even 20 years ago, and the trend will probably continue. Furthermore, new codes are restrictive when it comes to combining certain loads on a circuit, so homes need more circuits than they used to. Therefore, by choosing to upgrade an electrical panel, a homeowner can more easily meet the demands they place on an electrical system and make expansion easier in the future.
About The Meridian Company
Need help with an electrical problem? The electricians at The Meridian Company are ready to help. Serving the Lansing, MI area since 1984, they are available to offer cost-effective, expert solutions to electrical panel problems.
