Electrical Panel Upgrades in Saint Paul, MN
Our Experts Upgrade Electrical Panels Quickly & Reliably
Having an updated electrical panel in your home or business is one of the best ways to ensure your property is safe and ready to handle all your current and future electrical needs. Neglecting your residential or commercial electrical panel can lead to electrical overloads and even fires in severe cases. Electrical panels are designed to prevent devastating outcomes from happening. As they age, they have a harder time keeping up with your electrical system's increasing electricity demands.
Fortunately, the licensed electricians at Mr. Electric of St. Paul have years of experience providing the highest quality electrical services to home and business owners throughout the region. Our experts can help you prevent overloads and other dangerous problems, including property damage and safety hazards. We specialize in professional electrical panel upgrades to ensure your lights, security systems, appliances, and outdoor fixtures continue operating safely and reliably. If you live in St. Paul, MN, or the surrounding areas, including the Twin Cities and South Metro, we can help. Reach out to our team today to learn more!
How Does an Electrical Panel Work?
The electrical panel in your home or business is connected to the main power line traveling into your property. The line is attached directly to your electrical panel, allowing the panel to disperse energy throughout your residential or commercial electrical system. If you look inside an electrical panel, you'll find rows of switches or circuits. These circuit breakers distribute power into smaller branch lines that are connected to all the outlets on your property. The switches are typically numbered to indicate which outlet they’re connected to and should also show how many amps a line can carry before the corresponding breaker trips. Next to the switches is the main power breaker, which allows you to turn off power to the entire system.
Knowing When Your Panel Needs an Upgrade
Over time, electrical panels can wear down and begin to malfunction or cause electrical overloads. Like most appliances and systems in homes and businesses, your electrical panel needs to be upgraded in order to function properly in the long run. Some of the most common signs that indicate you need a professional electrical panel upgrade by the experts at Mr. Electric of St. Paul include:
- You hear crackling sounds coming from the panel
- Corrosion or rust is visible on the circuit breakers
- The inside of the electrical panel feels warm
- Appliances are no longer running on full power
- Outlets are not GFCIs (especially around water sources)
- You use extension cords frequently
- Your home or business has 60-amp electrical service
- Your home or business has 100-amp electrical service but still can't operate certain appliances
- Your home or business has an outdated fuse block or split bus panel
Age Is More Than Just a Number
If the electrical panel in your home or business is over 25 years old, Mr. Electric of St. Paul recommends upgrading or replacing it if it's beyond repair. Not only can outdated electrical panels cause system-wide problems with your electrical system, but they can be dangerous to continue operating once they’ve shown signs of defect. It’s essential to call a licensed electrician immediately if you’re experiencing any issues with your commercial or residential electrical panel.
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Electrical Panel
FPE panels were typically used in homes built from 1950 to 1980 and featured several design defects that increased the risk of electrical shock or fire. The PFE electrical panel has been classified as defective by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you have one of these electrical panels in your home or business, our experts can professionally replace it.
Zinsco Electrical Panel
Zinsco panels were available decades ago but haven’t been available to be installed in homes since the mid-1970s. They can still be found in some modern homes. Their defective design lets power continue to flow after you’ve turned off the breakers, leading to melted switches.
Pushmatic Electrical Panel
Pushmatic electrical panels don’t include the main breaker switch, which makes cutting off all your power flow at once impossible. Additionally, the switches on these panels are notorious for being weak and may be harder to reset over time.
Fuse Boxes
The oldest version of electrical panels, fuse boxes can only handle a maximum of 60 amps of power. The average home today needs around 200 amps to run all its appliances, lighting, and electronics efficiently and safely. The electricians at Mr. Electric of St. Paul recommend replacing this type of panel as soon as possible.
Upgrading Electric Panels During a Renovation
If you’re renovating a commercial or residential structure, it’s important to remember to make updates to your electrical panel. Our team can help you determine how much additional power your structure will need, where to add more outlets, and what needs to be upgraded or replaced to ensure your system runs safely and reliably.
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade?
If you’re curious about how much your professional electrical panel upgrade will cost, it’s important to remember that investing in a modern electrical system is an investment in your property and safety. The benefits of professionally upgrading your electrical panel far outweigh any expenses involved in the process. Mr. Electric of St. Paul is happy to provide you with an exact quote for our electrical panel upgrade or replacement services.
Should I Repair or Upgrade My Electrical Panel?
In some cases, electrical panels are beyond repair and must be replaced. However, our electricians can repair your existing electrical panel in many cases. Mr. Electric of St. Paul will thoroughly assess your unit and determine your household energy demands. We’ll also discuss the advantages of upgrading your electrical panel. Our team can complete the following repairs, among other repair options:
- Circuit breaker replacement
- Rewiring
- Bus bar replacement
- Electrical panel relocation
- And more!
Contact Us to Schedule an Electrical Panel Upgrade
Your commercial or residential electrical system stays in pristine condition by completing occasional upgrades over time. Fortunately, the licensed electricians at Mr. Electric of St. Paul have years of experience providing professional electrical panel upgrades and other system component repairs. Speak with our experienced electricians about which upgrades are appropriate for your St. Paul, MN home or commercial property. Contact us today to request an estimate or schedule an appointment with our team!