If you’re like most people in Melbourne, Florida, you probably don’t give too much thought to your home’s electrical panel. Many people don’t know where to find it until something goes wrong, and they have to look for it. This isn’t a bad thing since it’s best that you leave your electrical panel alone.
However, an outdated panel can be dangerous because it can be a fire hazard or damage your expensive electronics and appliances. Here are some signs you might need to upgrade your home’s electrical panel.
Homes Older than 20 Years
On average, an electrical panel will last from 20 to 40 years. How soon your panel might wear out depends on the materials used to construct it. Most electrical panels don’t have a date that tells you when they are outdated and possible fire hazards, so you’ll need to go by your home’s age. It’s a good idea to have your panel professionally inspected once your home reaches 20 years to be safe.
Rust
Rust on your electrical panel doesn’t mean it’s outdated, but rust does indicate water has compromised it. A rusted panel might not work properly to distribute electricity safely throughout your home. You should call a licensed electrician about replacing a rusty panel.
Dangerous Brands
A couple of previously popular electric panel brands have high failure rates and are known to be dangerous, including:
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
From the 1950s to the 1980s, Federal Pacific Electric was among the most popular electric panel manufacturers in the US, and millions of these panels were installed in homes. Unfortunately, FPE panels are dangerous and have led to thousands of fires. When a circuit overloads, an FPE panel’s circuit breaker might fail to trip.
Some people have reported that the circuits will still send power even when switched off, leading to risks of shock. If your home was built between 1950 and 1980, check your breaker box’s cover to see if Federal Pacific Electric is written on it. You can also look at the breakers to see if they are named Stab-Loc.
Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania
Zinsco panels were widely installed during the 1970s and were recalled during the 1990s. While the brand no longer exists, many homes still have Zinsco panels installed. In a Zinsco panel, the circuit breakers can melt to the primary bus bar, preventing them from tripping. If there is a power surge or short, wires can melt and start fires.
If you see the name Zinsco printed on the panel, you should replace it. Also watch for panels labeled with GTE-Sylvania, since many contained the faulty design used in Zinsco panels. Since not all GTE-Sylvania panels are dangerous, you should have an electrician inspect your panel to determine whether it has a design flaw that could lead to fires.
Fuse Box Panels
Fuse boxes aren’t inherently unsafe but weren’t designed to handle today’s power demands and modern appliances. When too much power flows through a circuit, the fuse will burn out and must be replaced. However, modifications to fuse boxes can make them dangerous.
For example, plugging too many appliances into a single outlet powered by a fuse box can make the fuse blow. Some people try to get around this issue by replacing the fuse with one that has a higher amperage, but the wires will be rated for the lower amp fuse. Others might place a metal object where the fuse once was instead of replacing it, which means they remove the safety feature the fuse provided.
If you have a fuse box that doesn’t keep up with the demands of your appliances and electronics, it’s best to upgrade to a modern panel designed to handle them.
Split-Bus Panels
Modern circuit breakers contain a single metal bus that connects to the individual circuit breakers to power your home. They have a main breaker you can shut off to turn off your entire house’s power.
Split-bus panels have two buses and no main breaker. Instead, they have as many as six main breakers that power different areas of the house. Split-bus panels haven’t been used for more than four decades, so they are outdated. The breakers might fail to trip when there is a power surge, and they are not up to code. If you see your panel’s breakers are divided into two groups without a single main breaker, you likely have a split-bus panel that needs to be replaced.
Flickering Lights
Flickering lights are normal in inclement weather. However, when you notice flickering lights in normal weather whenever you turn a light on, it can indicate a faulty breaker or panel.
Burnt Smells or Spots
Overheated breakers can leave burn spots you can see on the panel. Burnt spots on the panel indicate something is wrong that could cause a fire. You might also notice burnt smells coming from an outlet or your breakers, which can indicate wires or insulation have melted. Replacing an electrical panel might be necessary when you notice these signs.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
If a circuit breaker trips frequently or whenever you plug in a certain appliance, you might need to replace your electric panel. Frequently tripping breakers indicate your panel can’t handle your energy demands.
Talk to a Trusted Electrician
An outdated electrical panel can damage your appliances and electronics and cause fires. If you think your panel might be outdated or have noticed signs it’s not working properly, you should contact one of our licensed electricians at Mister Sparky in Melbourne. Contact us today to learn more by calling (321) 265-6764.