Electrical Panel Upgrade Services in Citrus & Marion County, FL
Ensuring Your Electrical Panel Is in Top Shape
How often do you think about your electrical panel? Probably not very often unless the power is out. When too much electricity is demanded from an electrical panel, the circuits may overload, causing you to lose power. In more serious cases, overloaded circuits can even result in a fire. Because electrical panels are so important, it's in your best interest to stay on top of upgrades. As your home gets older, your panel may not function as efficiently as it used to. Generally speaking, electrical panels more than 10 years old may no longer be able to support all the appliances you have plugged in. If this is the case for you, get in touch with Mr. Electric of Citrus & Marion County. We serve customers across the region, including Crystal River, Inverness, Homosassa, Beverly Hills, and Le Canto, with the goal of offering top-tier electrical work.
How Does an Electrical Panel Work?
The electrical panel transfers power into your home via the main power line. The main line connects to a power meter outside your home, which directs power from the electric company to all parts of the building. In most cases, the electrical panel is a gray box found in the garage, utility room, or basement of your home. Opening up the box, you'll find several rows of switches. These are the circuit breakers that distribute power throughout the house. You may notice some switches doubled or tripled together—these breakers power appliances that demand high amounts of electricity. If you take an even closer look at your electrical panel, you may notice numbers on the switches telling you how many amps a line can carry before being tripped. Your electrical panel will also come with a main power breaker that can cut off power to the entire system with one flip.
Knowing When It's Time for Service
How do you know when your circuits are getting overloaded? Less serious signs of trouble might include flickering lights or frequent power outages. But in the worst cases, an old, overheated system can lead to smoke and electrical fires. If your panel is pushing 25 years of age, it's time to get in touch with the professionals. Contact Mr. Electric of Citrus & Marion County right away if any of the following apply to you:
- Crackling sounds coming from the panel
- Your home has 60-amp electrical service
- Your home has 100-amp electrical service but still can't operate certain appliances
- Your home has an outdated fuse block or split bus panel
- The inside of the electrical panel feels warm
- Devices are no longer running on full power
- Corrosion or rust on the circuit breakers
- Outlets around water sources are not GFCIs
- You need multiple extension cords to plug everything in
Upgrade These Electrical Panels ASAP
While most electrical panels can be upgraded at your earliest convenience, some require service right away. Homes over 25 years old may be equipped with faulty electrical panels with known safety hazards. In general, panels installed after 1990 are safe, but if you have any of the following models, talk to us about an upgrade:
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels
FPE panels were installed in homes between 1950 and 1980. Since then, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has classified them as defective for their tendency to cause fire and electric shock.
Zinsco Electrical Panels
Zinsco panels haven't been on the market since the mid-1970s, but some homes may still have them. These panels may allow power to flow even when the breakers are switched off. This defect may cause switches to melt and increase the risk of fire and electric shock.
Pushmatic Electrical Panels
Pushmatic panels are defective in that their weak breaker switches get harder to reset over time. There's no main breaker to stop all the power at once, creating a slew of hazards for homeowners.
Fuse Boxes
Fuse boxes are the oldest type of electrical panel. These panels can handle about 30 to 60 amps of electricity, which was sufficient for homes decades ago. But today, homes regularly use more than 200 amps. Not only are these outdated systems inefficient, but they're also huge safety risks. We encourage you to upgrade your fuse box as soon as possible. The team at Mr. Electric of Citrus & Marion County will walk you through the process and cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amps.
Electrical Panel Upgrades During Renovations
If you're adding a room to your home, remodeling your kitchen, or revamping your HVAC system, don't forget about the electrical panel! During major home improvements, it's a good idea to evaluate your current panel and decide whether it offers enough electricity to power your entire home. Our team can discuss adding outlets, sub-panels, or special 240-volt circuits.
What's the Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel?
It's difficult to estimate the electrical panel upgrade cost because it varies so greatly. Depending on the scope of the project and site conditions, your total cost may be more or less than your neighbor's. We'll take a look at your old system, its location, and its existing wiring before presenting you with a customized cost estimate.
Sometimes Repairs Get the Job Done Too
Not all situations call for a complete replacement of your electrical panel. Sometimes, repairs get the job done just as well. Our electricians will investigate the current state of your electrical panel and decide whether repairs are enough to restore proper function. The team at Mr. Electric of Citrus & Marion County is experienced with these types of repairs:
- Circuit breaker replacement
- Rewiring
- Bus bar replacement
- Electrical panel relocation
Request Service at Your Citrus County Property
It's easy to put off electrical panel upgrades if you haven't noticed any obvious hazards. But if your home is equipped with an old or defective panel, you could be playing with fire. The team at Mr. Electric of Citrus & Marion County is here for you around the clock to offer exceptional electrical services. Schedule service today.