Did you ever check on the condition of your electrical system? If you did, when was it? Most homeowners assume that different elements of the electrical system are working just fine as no problems occur. People will only worry about something when it actually happens. Well, just like anything else in life, electrical wiring and cables also wear out over time. Especially if the quality was sacrificed at the time of installation. So, when should you upgrade your materials? Well, there are three main scenarios. First, if a problem occurs. Second, as a prevention, if you live in an old house. Third, if you notice that you may be consuming too close to the limit capacity of your current panel or planning on doing so.
Bryson is an experienced Electrician Pasadena, and answered some of our questions in this matter to help us understand when it makes the most sense to invest in your electrical system.
1- Signs of problems such as corrosion or rust
Corrosion and rust could be dangerous, especially if you see it
on the circuit breaker. should be fixed as soon as possible. Think of your
electrical panel as the heart of your home. If you see rust or corrosion it is definitely
time to have an electrician check it out and most likely replace your panel. You
may also need to remodel your wiring depending on its condition.
2-
Sound or heat from
the electrical panel or outlets
If you notice any cracking sounds or heat coming from the circuit
breaker panel, you can be sure that is not normal. The same goes for an outlet.
Don’t ignore a problem like this, call
an electrician to check it out as soon as possible.
3- Planning a major home remodel or addition
If you already know you are demolishing walls, drywall, or any
other big home renovations, it will be a smart move to check on the electrical
system. It may be a great opportunity to look into any upgrades and even new
wiring circuits where it makes sense functionally. For example, a new light or
a new outlet. If you are remodeling you probably don’t expect to remodel again
for a long time, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to do it all at
once. You will save time and money.
4- Known problems from certain manufactures which are now disclosed
There
are several panels from select manufacturers who have raised concerns over the
years as some have burnt due to deficiencies. These particular models have been
discontinued as the problem was identified. However, there are still panels
that have been installed and because nothing bad happen, they have not been
replaced. If you happen to have any of those models, you should definitely be
aware that you should replace it as soon as possible to avoid the potential damage
that can be caused if they burn out. For example the electrical panels from
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), Zinsco, and Pushmatic. Check out what manufacturer
you have, and if it happens to be one of those, you can call an electrician to
check it out.
5- Consuming electricity to the maximum, or panning to add some appliances that consume a lot of electricity
The houses built before 1990 normally only have 100 to 150-amp service. As people buy more and more appliances, and the family grows, some people have noticed that they need more power supply and therefore, upgraded. For example, a hot tub, a sauna, an air conditioning, a home theater room, a dryer, or even a home EV charger station will consume much more power than the laptop and TV you are used to. If you notice your power consumption is close to capacity, or if you are planning on buying any of those appliances you should consider upgrading your panel. Upgrade electrical panel to 200 amps are the current standard for new homes.
