Over 20 million houses in the U.S. were built in the 1970s. This was the age of floppy disks, the Sony Walkman and the first mobile phone. Electrical panels designed back then were not built to handle the demands of modern appliances.
If your home’s electrical system is aging out, an upgrade may be the best way to protect your house and family. In this piece, we will explore the hidden dangers lurking in your electrical panel, how to know if your electrical panel is a fire hazard and why an upgrade could be the difference between safety and accidents.
Understanding Your Electrical Panel
An electrical panel sits at the heart of power distribution in your home. It receives power from the grid and ensures adequate current channeling throughout your home. It achieves this through a network of circuits called branch circuits.Â
All panels have a safety device called the main breaker, although some older systems still use a fuse instead of breakers. As electricity enters your home, the main breaker ensures power distribution to the circuit breakers. In turn, circuit breakers feed electricity to the different circuits connected to the fixtures and sockets.Â
Every breaker has a predetermined electrical inflow limit. Your main breaker will trip if the incoming supply exceeds the predetermined inflow. This is a precautionary step programmed into panel breakers to shut off the power supply to your home to prevent overheating. Like the main breaker, circuit breakers will also trip if the supply exceeds the circuit’s load.
What Makes an Old Electrical Panel a Fire Hazard?
Electrical panels have an average lifespan of 25 to 40 years. As systems age and wear and tear takes its toll, the panels lose functionality. If your system can no longer effectively control your home’s electrical supply, it poses several safety risks. Consider a system with a malfunctioning main breaker. If the power supply to your home exceeds the safe range, it may fail to trip, leading to potential fire outbreaks. If your system is nearing the end of its life cycle, it is time for an upgrade.
Warning Signs You Should Replace Your Electrical Panel
Beyond the telltale age, there are multiple signs you can watch out for to determine if you should consider an electrical panel upgrade. Call a licensed electrician from GreenBox Home Services immediately if you notice any of these signs:
Heating Panel
If you notice that your electrical panel is warming up, this could be a sign that your system is overheating. Overheating can result from problems such as exposed wiring, an overburdened system and arcing. Arcing occurs when a current fails to travel in its path, but instead jumps to a different circuit. This misdirection of the current can increase the flow in one circuit while reducing supply to another.
Burn Marks
A second sign to watch out for is burn marks around your unit. Scorch marks are a clear indication that your system is overheating. You may spot brownish or smoky marks around the panel. These marks serve as a warning call that a full-blown fire may break out if your panel is left unfixed.
A burning smell may also accompany burn marks. You’ll notice an odor similar to a burning electrical appliance coming from the panel itself or wall socket. Don’t take any of these signs lightly or try a DIY approach. Potential fires are a serious safety risk, so call an electrician to book an emergency electrical service.
Exposed Wires
There are two possible reasons behind exposed wiring. The first is aging. As your system ages, the insulation covering the wires will wear, exposing the wires underneath. Secondly, if your system is constantly exposed to high temperatures, the heat can melt the insulation, leaving the live wires open. Regardless of the reason, exposed wires are one of the top causes of an electric arc. When left unaddressed, arcing can energize surrounding metal — even your panel box.Â
Frequent Trips
You may also want to be cautious about endless breaker trips. If your system is overburdened, you may find the panel breakers tripping more often than usual. Tripping breakers may indicate that you are demanding more from your system than it can provide. It may be time to consider upgrading to a system that can better service your electricity needs.
High-Risk Panel Types
Depending on when your home was built, it may have a Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panel. Both panels were popular in the 1970s and have fundamental design flaws that make them a huge safety risk. These panels may fail to trip when overloaded, resulting in overheating and fires.
Another reason Zinsco panels are a fire hazard is their false-offs. This means the breaker could be off, but the panel will continue to conduct electricity.
On the other hand, the Federal Pacific Electric panels received a UL Certification using fraudulent practices. UL later revoked the certification. However, the panels were never officially recalled until recently.
Whether your home has a Zinsco or FPE panel, getting an immediate replacement is paramount. You need the security of knowing your breaker will shut off the current flow when the time comes. Having a circuit breaker that may not trip during an overload leaves you incredibly vulnerable.
The Cost of Waiting vs. an Upgrade
Electrical fires cause over $1.3 billion in damages yearly, not to mention nearly 500 fatalities. If you have an aging panel posing safety risks to your family, an upgrade should be a matter of how fast you can get a replacement. The cost of an electrical panel upgrade ranges from $800 to $4,000. However, pricing may vary based on the amps required for your home.
Remember, the cost of post-fire repairs is incomparable to the cost of an upgrade. A reliable electrical company can offer you flexible financing options so you don’t have to wait to protect your home and family.
Investing in an upgrade also comes with several benefits:
- Improved energy efficiency: Newer electrical panels can support modern appliances without straining your system.
- Enhanced safety: Electrical panels on the market today undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety.
- Better insurance premiums: Most insurance companies do not cover homes with older panel models like the Zinsco panels. Those that do charge higher premiums due to the increased risk. Upgrading to a newer panel model can help you get covered and may even lower your premiums.
How to Proceed With an Upgrade
We suggest a three-step process to upgrading your electrical panel:
- Professional assessment: Once you know your electric panel is a fire hazard, it is time to call in a professional. Ensure you partner with a licensed and experienced electrician. The electrician will come to your home to conduct a comprehensive inspection. They should be able to suggest the best model for your home.Â
- Proper documentation: Depending on your local laws, you may need to get a permit to authorize the planned upgrade and ensure alignment with building codes.
- Upgrade scheduling: When you have the permits, you can go ahead and book your upgrade. Remember to ask your electrician about their financing options, especially if you are going for a higher amp upgrade.
Schedule an Inspection to Protect Your Home
An old electrical panel can pose safety risks to your home. Keep your property and family safe with an electrical panel upgrade from a dependable company. At GreenBox Home Services, we can help you upgrade your panel swiftly to minimize safety risks. Book an inspection today and get reliable service from good people.
