Signs That You Need To Replace Your Electrical Panel

The circuit breaker panel is the most crucial component of your electrical system. It is responsible for distributing current to all the power outlets in your home. These panels consist of breakers that turn off electricity when there's a power surge. This prevents your wiring from overheating and causing a fire.

But how do you know whether your electrical panel is in a serviceable condition? The following signs indicate when your electrical panel needs to be replaced. 

If Your Home Is More Than 30 Years Old 

The average lifespan of an electrical panel is between 20 and 50 years, depending on its exposure to sun and rain. So, if your home is older, you should consider replacing the breaker panel. 

Older electrical panels used fuses instead of circuit breakers. Fuses serve the same purpose as circuit breakers but are way less efficient. Usually, when a circuit gets overloaded, the breakers automatically shut off.

But unlike circuit breakers, fuses blow up when there's a power surge. When a fuse blows up, you must replace it with a new one of the same type and amperage rating. But for circuit breakers, all you have to do is reset your unit.

Most old fuse boxes have a low amperage rating which is very low compared to the power demands of a modern home. So if your home still uses a fuse box, consider replacing it with a modern breaker panel.

Replacing an old fuse box with a breaker panel can help improve the safety of your home. Today, some breaker panels have extra protective features, such as the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). This protective device protects your appliances from damage when they detect electrical faults. 

If The Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

A circuit breaker can trip for three reasons, with an overloaded circuit being the most obvious. This issue occurs when your wiring system has to handle more current than it's designed to carry.  

Your circuit breaker might also trip due to a short circuit. This happens when a neutral wire comes into contact with a live wire. When these two wires touch, the unrestricted current flow causes the breaker to trip. 

A circuit breaker can also trip due to a ground fault. When a live wire touches the ground connection, it can produce large amounts of current. The current is then redirected to the circuit breaker, causing it to trip.

If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, reach out to a qualified electrical contractor. They can perform special diagnostic tests to help them find a faulty electrical panel. DIY fixes might be dangerous, especially if you have no experience with handling electrical equipment. 

Contact an electrician to learn more.