As a general rule, if your electrical panel is over 25 years old, it’s wise to have it inspected by a licensed electrician to make sure everything is in good condition. Here are some signs that could indicate that your electrical panel should be changed.
Burnt smell
Regardless of the situation, a burning smell is usually not a good sign, and the electrical panel is no exception. A defective electrical panel could cause a serious fire and destroy your property and those nearby. If you notice a burning smell, call the professionals immediately!
Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
The job of circuit breakers is to trip and stop the flow of electricity to protect you from circuits that draw too much power. An electrical panel that lacks the capacity to allow adequate electrical flow will cause circuit breakers to trip frequently. This may mean that it needs to be upgraded.
Warm to the touch
A functional electrical panel should regulate the temperature of your electrical system. If the system overheats, it should automatically trip the circuit breakers to protect your home from fire. An electrical panel that gives off heat may indicate a malfunction. It is important to remedy the situation quickly.
Presence of rust
The presence of rust on your fire panel is an alarming sign that indicates water damage. In addition to having to change the panel, it is important to find the source of the problem in order to prevent the situation from recurring and prevent major damage to the property.
Unusual Sounds
The electrical panel usually makes no sound except for the circuit breakers when they activate. That said, the presence of sounds such as buzzing or hissing is cause for concern and should not be ignored. This usually means the presence of a faulty wire or a loose connection. It is important to act quickly to avoid further damage to your electrical panel.
Damaged electrical panel
If your panel has been damaged, it is essential to have it inspected immediately by a qualified electrician to ensure that the appliance is safe. The latter will be able to check if repairs are necessary or if the electrical panel must be completely replaced.
Other reasons could be…
Of course, other reasons could prompt you to change your electrical panel. Here are some examples:
Lack of electrical outlets
It may be tempting to call on power strips in order to remedy the problem quickly. However, this method is strongly discouraged. If there is room in your current electrical panel, an electrician can add new dedicated electrical circuits to new electrical outlets. However, if your electrical panel does not allow it, you could consider replacing it to remedy the situation safely.
Fuse panel
Fuse panels are not necessarily suitable for today’s electrical needs. Also, when a fuse blows, it must be replaced, unlike circuit breakers. So while there is nothing inherently wrong with fuse panels, it is still advisable to switch to a circuit breaker panel that is better suited to your current needs.
Of course, there are a ton of reasons why you might want to have your electrical panel inspected or simply replaced. In any case, we are the team you need!
