Residential Electrical Panel Upgrades in Lexington, KY

The electrical panel is an essential component of your home and everyday comfort, and when it’s not functioning correctly, it can put your family’s safety at risk. Generally, you should have your electrical panel checked if it's near 25 years or older. But how will you know if your electrical panel needs a checkup? Here are some common signs to look out for:

• Crackling Sounds & Corrosion – Visible evidence of rust and corrosion, as well as strange noises emanating from the electrical panel, are indicators of serious problems that demand the care and attention of an electrical professional.
• Abnormally Warm Panel Interior – Another common warning clue your electrical panel needs attention is if the inside feels warm to the touch, which may indicate a fire hazard from an overloaded circuit.
• Appliances Not Operating at Full Capacity – If you notice certain appliances aren’t running at full power or suffering from poor performance, it’s a good sign that the electrical demands of your home outweigh your electrical panel’s limited capacity.
• Outlets Near Sinks, Tubs, & Other Water Sources – Electrical outlets near water sources such as sinks, tubs, and dishwashers should be installed as GFCIs, or ground-fault circuit interrupters. GFCIs are fast-reacting circuit breakers specifically designed to stop an electrical current exposed to moisture.
• Extensive Use of Extension Cords – If you find yourself constantly in need of extension cords to make up for a lack of outlets in your home, your electrical panel’s limited ability isn’t able to compete with your increased demand for electricity.
• Limited or Insufficient Main Electrical Service – If the main electrical service from your utility company is limited to 60-100 amps and fails to power certain appliances or areas in your home, it’s time to call in the electrical experts at Mr. Electric of Central Kentucky, Lexington’s finest in residential electrical panel upgrade service.

While electrical panels installed in the 1990s are generally well-designed and considered safe, certain specific panels installed in homes prior to this era may have serious defects lurking within their primitive hardware. If you have one of the following electrical panel models installed in your home, it is highly suggested you contact Mr. Electric of Central Kentucky to schedule a prompt and thorough diagnostic checkup:

• Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Electrical Panels – If your home is equipped with an FPE electrical panel installed between 1950 and 1980, it’s time to have it replaced with modern equipment. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission deemed these panel types unsafe.
• Zinsco Electrical Panels – In the mid-1970s, Zinsco electrical panels were removed from the consumer market altogether due to a defective and hazardous design that posed significant safety threats. These malfunctioning panels allowed the flow of electricity even with disengaged breakers.
• Pushmatic Electrical Panels – Weakened breaker switches that become more and more difficult to reset define the hazardous defect of old Pushmatic electrical panels. These faulty electric panels were also designed without a main breaker switch, leaving the entire system with a constant, uncontrollable flow of electricity.
• Fuse Boxes – Where modern homes often require at least 200 amps of power or more to maintain electricity, rudimentary fuse boxes from eras gone by were designed only to withstand 30-60 amps. Fuse boxes are the earliest made electrical panel systems featuring outdated wiring that pose significant fire and electrocution risks and should be promptly replaced by a modernly crafted electrical panel.

Don’t wait until an electrical problem arises to have your home’s electrical panel inspected. Contact our team at Mr. Electric of Central Kentucky today to set up a comprehensive electrical inspection and keep your home’s power flowing safely and effectively! Our electricians are dedicated to ensuring homes in Lexington and beyond are equipped with electrical panels that exceed all state and local regulations and to provide Central Kentucky residents like you with peace of mind knowing your home’s electrical system is in great shape.