ELECTRICAL PANELS UPGRADE
ABOUT AN ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADE
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.
METER PANEL INSTALLATION
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.
UPGRADING THE AMPERAGE 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.
FAQ
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.
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: +1 617 201 5774
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.
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.
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.
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.
