Electrical panel upgrade services for increased power demands.
Electrical panels require work that should be completed by a licensed electrical contractor. Penna Electric’s qualified electricians can do the job more efficiently and safely than anyone who is not certified or qualified to perform an electrical panel upgrade.
They also know how to coordinate with local building authorities and power company regulations. Do-it-yourself electrical projects can lead to badly designed systems and faulty wiring that cause dangerously high current loads and quite possibly extensive damage or death.
The Electricians at Penna Electric Will Upgrade Your Electrical Panel to Handle Increased Power Demands in Your Home
The electrical panels and fuse boxes, sometimes called breaker boxes or electrical service panels, are the main hub through which electricity flows into your home. It’s the first stop electricity makes from the outside power distribution grid into your home. If you envision electricity as the nerve impulses that drive the functioning of the various electrical appliances that help your household run smoothly, then your electric service panel is your home’s brain.
New 200 amp main meter panels are recommended for most homes due to the amount of circuits required by National Electrical Code (NEC). Many years ago houses were not wired for AC units, car chargers, or appliances that are required in today’s homes. Today’s specifications of all electrical panels must be UL (Underwriter Laboratory) approved.
All main electrical panels used today are Solar Rated although there are Solar Ready panels that come with individual bus bars for quicker connections to solar systems. Some existing electrical panels are flush mounted which could require minor stucco work, a service that could be provided. Other electrical panels are surface mounted for convenience and simplicity.
The Electricians at Penna Electric Will Upgrade Your Electrical Panel to Handle Increased Power Demands in Your Home
Replacing old electrical panels with new ones does not necessarily mean you are required to increase amp usage for your home. Most people choose to raise the amperage to 200 amp because the convenience of modern living is enhanced by the use of different types of appliances.
A licensed electrical contractor is the best resource to help you calculate your household’s amperage needs. Keep in mind, however, that if the circuit amperage exceeds the size of the electrical panel or electrical fuse, it will trigger the new circuit to turn off.
Our local licensed electricians have the experience and skill to get the electrical panel or fuse box installation done correctly the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electrical Panel Upgrades
You should get an electrical service panel upgrade if your current one is more than 20 years old, especially if you have replaced older appliances with new appliances. Newer appliances have different electrical needs. Older panels often do not meet updated safety standards for UL-approved electrical codes, increasing the risk of electrocution and fires. Additionally, constant shortages can damage sensitive electronics like computers, HDTVs and entertainment systems in your home.
An electrical panel upgrade is also a good idea if you’re considering selling your home. Many insurance companies may deny insurance coverage to homes using an older fuse box. Most times, they will only sign off on a sale if an outdated box is replaced with an electrical panel.
The electrical panel or circuit breaker panel is a major important component of your home’s electrical system. It constantly distributes electricity throughout your home. The electrical panel also protects your home from power surges and other possible hazards. Therefore, it’s important to keep your electrical panel maintained regularly by a licensed, bonded and highly skilled electrician. Call us at: 310-800-2401!
If you have old, outdated, or incorrectly wired circuit breakers, fuses, and panels in your home, you and your family could not only lose power when you need it most, but also be in danger of smoke damage and fire. Penna Electric will troubleshoot and identify any electrical problems in your home by thoroughly inspecting the wiring and your panel, so you and your family can enjoy peace of mind.
Costs for upgrading electrical panels vary depending on the type, size and installation method used to install the panel. It will typically cost more to install an electric service panel in a larger home because larger structures demand higher amp usage than smaller ones. Removal of old electrical panels can cause minor stucco work which, in most cases, would be handled in house. The amount of circuits have increased through the years due to all the high amp usage devices and appliances we use in today’s modern home.
Light flickering, burning smell or loss of power are all signs of electrical power issues. A panel that’s 15 or more years old is also known to have issues. Beach city areas are more prone to corrosion inside and outside of an electrical main meter panel. The corrosion can cause bad connection to internal hardware bussing and other internal parts. This is also known as pitting, resulting in heating-up and melting of either the metal parts and/or circuit breakers causing a hazard.
Before the 1960’s, most homes got their electricity through a fuse box typically containing four fuses that screwed in and out. These fuses were metal strips that melted at a lower temperature than the other wiring components in a circuit and acted as a protective mechanism when current usage threatened to overpower the circuit. Fuses were most often blown out by short circuits and the simultaneous operation of too many appliances for a single circuit.
Fuses are rated by wire size, and many South Bay homeowners ended up creating problems by inserting wrong-sized fuses into fuse boxes. The fuse box has largely been replaced by the electrical breaker panel in more modern homes that are being built today. Electrical panels literally cut off the flow of electricity whenever it exceeds a safe level so that the temperature in your home’s wiring does not reach dangerous levels, which might cause a hazard. Some homes may have a recalled or defective breaker panel that won’t protect your home when the current exceeds its maximum rating causing the wiring to overheat. For more information on the differences between the two, read our article here.
The electricians at Penna Electric can inspect your home’s electrical system, identify your electrical needs for safety as well as to help lower energy costs, and provide you with the best recommendation in terms of an electrical panel upgrade that will bring your house up to modern day codes and standards.
The electrical meter panel, also called the main panel, is where the power utility company installs the electricity meter. Sometimes, it can house only the meter and the main breaker, in which case an electrical distribution or service panel is needed. In other cases, the main electrical meter panel houses the meter, the main breaker and all the other circuit breakers for the circuits in your home.