Your panel box is the central hub of your home electrical system. It's where the power comes in and is diverted into various circuits to power your appliances, lights, outlets, and electronics. Like every other part of your electrical system, your panel box will eventually need to be replaced.

How Long Do Electrical Panel Boxes Last?

Knowing the average lifespan of a panel box helps indicate when this particular component needs to be replaced. Most electrical panel boxes last anywhere between 20 and 50 years. The overall lifespan of this part of your electrical system will depend on numerous factors, like the humidity level of your home. There are many key signs that will let you know that your electrical panel needs to be replaced.

Fuse Box

One of the most obvious reasons to upgrade to a new panel box is that you have a fuse box. Fuse boxes were the norm before the 1960s when the superior panel box came out. The main advantage of panel boxes is they have circuit breakers that can easily be reset when they trip. The main disadvantage of fuse boxes is that they use fuses, which will pop when the circuit is overloaded. When a fuse pops, you actually have to replace the entire fuse to start using the circuit again. This means that you must have spare fuses on hand to fit the size of the circuits that you have. Upgrading from a fuse box to a panel box can be a great way to help make your electrical system more user-friendly.

Not Enough Power

Another reason you may need to upgrade your panel box is that it simply doesn't have enough power to meet your needs. Homes that were built before 1980 only had anywhere between 60 and 100 amps of power going to them. While this was fine for powering our electrical needs decades ago, this simply isn't enough to meet our modern-day electrical demands. To upgrade from having 100 amps of service to getting 200 to 250 amps will require you to get a brand-new panel box. Some key indicators that you don't have enough power at your home are that your lights are constantly flickering and you're regularly tripping your circuit breakers.

Excessive Corrosion

Panel boxes are made out of metal, which is given an anti-corrosion coating. Over time, this coating will deteriorate, leaving the metal box susceptible to rusting. If your panel box is in a moist location, this could speed up the corrosion process. If rust isn't treated right away, it can cause the metal to develop holes and deteriorate. Anywhere that your panel box has holes can leave it susceptible to not only more damage, but can be dangerous to anyone working near it.

Need More Circuits

Another common reason to get a panel box upgrade is that you need more circuits. It could be that you want to add more outlets throughout your home or that you're looking to install a new appliance. If you don't have any remaining open circuits on your existing panel box, it may be time to upgrade to a new one. It's very common for modern-day homes to need larger electrical panel boxes to house more circuits than panel boxes used 40 to 50 years ago.

You Want Smart Technology

Nowadays, you can get smart technology integrated right into your electrical panel box. This will allow you to easily receive an alert whenever one of your circuits trips. By connecting to an app on your smartphone, you can reset that circuit with a simple movement of your finger. This helps to provide you with peace of mind about your electrical system when you're not at home. You can even receive alerts when your power goes out so that you can make the necessary accommodations for your family.

Melting or Burning Wires

Your panel box should never emit a smell when it's working. If you get a whiff of metallic melting or electrical burn, it's a real cause for concern. It's best to contact one of our electricians right away for assistance. In cases of an aging panel box, some of the connections may be weakening and starting to malfunction. Replacing your old box with a new one is a surefire solution.

Home Renovation

Another reason you may want to upgrade your panel box is that you're doing a full-home renovation. If you're going to be investing in new wiring, outlets, light switches, and so forth, it only makes sense to upgrade your panel box as well. This will come at a discounted rate because your electrician will already be removing the wires from your existing box. Plus, this replacement will ensure that all of the new electrical components in your home are the same age.

Ungrounded Outlets

Homes built before the 1960s had two-pronged outlets that didn't have a grounding wire. Without a grounding wire, power surges can actually transfer too much power to the devices plugged into it. This can cause permanent damage to the electronics and even lead to an electrical fire. Modern-day homes have three-pronged outlets that allow for a grounding wire. If your existing panel box doesn't use a grounding system, it's time to upgrade your panel box, wiring, outlets, and all other components of your electrical system. This will ensure optimal safety for you and your family.

Outdated Circuit Breakers

There are many circuit breaker brands out there. Most have to match the brand of electrical panel box that's being used. If your breaker box currently uses circuit breakers that are outdated, they can be quite costly to replace. Upgrading to a whole new box with more modern-day circuit breakers can be an ideal choice.

Always Hire a Professional

When it comes time to replace your electrical panel, you must always leave this work to the professionals and never attempt to do this on your own. This is best for many different reasons. One of the most obvious is that upgrading will require a permit from your local building code office. Only a licensed electrician will be capable of getting a permit. Another reason to have a professional perform the service is that they have the skills and expertise to do the job. Additionally, they have the appropriate equipment. Unless you're an electrician, it simply doesn't make sense to attempt this dangerous feat on your own. You could end up being electrocuted or even starting an electrical fire if you don't know what you're doing.

Reliable Electrical Panel Replacement Service

Mister Sparky® offers reliable electrical panel replacement service for the entire Sherman, TX community. In addition to this, we can assist with all your whole-home surge protection, circuit breaker, wiring, inspections, and more. Simply give us a call today to schedule your next consultation with one of our friendly electricians!