Your electrical panel is responsible for distributing power to every outlet, appliance, and device that you rely on each day. When a panel becomes outdated or damaged, it can struggle to handle modern electrical demands. This increases the risk of overheating, fire hazards, and electrical shock.
Fire Danger
An outdated electrical panel can increase the risk of a house fire. One reason this can occur is because the circuit breaker may actually fail to trip when your system is overloaded. Without the breaker tripping, your wiring may overheat and eventually cause a fire.
Electrocution Danger
When an electrical panel goes bad, it could end up exposing faulty wires. This, of course, can lead to electrocution for humans or animals. The electrical panel being old or damaged could also result in an electrical system that is no longer properly grounded. When that occurs, this can increase the risk of electrical shock when using outlets or appliances.
Lack of Capacity
You should also keep in mind that the electrical panels of decades past were designed for the electrical needs of homes that existed at that time. It’s no longer 1980 or even 1990. Today, homes have a lot more extensive need for electricity. Flatscreen TVs, computers, video game consoles, electric car chargers, and more all suck up far more electricity than the appliances used in the past. A system with an old electrical panel will be overloaded often. If your breaker trips frequently, it’s probably time for a replacement. If it’s ancient and does not go off no matter how much electricity you use, your family may be in even more danger.
Insurance Requirements
Insurance companies are cautious about conditions that increase fire risk, including outdated electrical panels. If you have a panel that is very old or one that was marked a long time ago as faulty, you may be refused the ability to purchase home insurance or even renew an existing policy. If you are not truthful to your insurer about the fact your panel is old and faulty, you may even end up in a situation where a future claim is denied on that basis. It just doesn’t make financial sense in any way to keep an outdated electrical panel that could present a serious threat in the future.
Upgrading an outdated electrical panel is one of the most effective ways to improve your home’s electrical safety and reliability. If you live in Santa Cruz, CA, and need an electrical panel upgrade, contact Fisher Electric to schedule service today.
