Electrical panels are meant to last for anywhere from 25 to 40 years. However, modern electrical needs or poor maintenance might lead to an earlier replacement. Your electrical panel is a service box that distributes currents to the various circuits throughout your home. If this panel is old or damaged, it may be time to replace it. In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the ideal electrical panel for your Gainesville home.
Signs that You Need to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
While you may not automatically think to upgrade your home’s electrical panel, there are numerous signs that indicate a new one is required. For example, if your existing panel is original to the home and has been in place for more than 30 years, it might be time to upgrade. Our electricians at Mister Sparky can inspect your panel to determine if you need to replace it.
You should also be on the lookout for flickering lights. While there are several potential causes for this issue, flickering lights may be the result of overloaded circuits in your panel. The appliances in your home may also demand more current than the panel is able to handle.
Over time, wires can become frayed and damaged. If you notice a burning smell around your electronics or dim lighting, the wires that lead to your electrical panel could be faulty or outdated.
Keep in mind that any amount of melting or burning indicates a damaged electrical system. In this scenario, a fire could easily break out. If the burning smell is coming from a circuit breaker, cut the power immediately. There’s a good chance that your electrical panel will need to be upgraded.
If some of the breakers in your electrical panel are being tripped constantly, those areas of your home are likely drawing too much electricity. While a single tripped breaker isn’t an immediate cause for concern, multiple ones mean that your home may require a panel upgrade.
If you’re installing a new air conditioner or refrigerator, it’s important to understand that modern appliances require a considerable amount of energy. Older panels may not accommodate the higher energy demands that these appliances have.
Consider the Electrical Panel Size and Amperage
Before buying a new electrical panel for your Gainesville home, consider the panel’s amperage and size. The amperage can be used to identify the panel’s maximum electrical load. If you purchase a panel that doesn’t meet your home’s electrical needs, you could experience issues like tripped breakers and overheated wires. Small panels are fire hazards in homes that require larger ones.
Most older homes and rental properties are outfitted with 60-amp service panels. To understand how limited this amount is, the National Electric Code currently requires at least 100 amps in modern panel installations. A panel with 60 amps won’t support modern appliances.
It’s also highly recommended that you consider an even larger panel. If your home is outfitted with electric heat or a central air conditioner, you’ll benefit from a service panel with 150 or 200 amps. Large homes with expansive floor plans often require 400-amp panels.
The total size of your panel also determines how many circuits can be wired to it. A standard 100-amp panel usually comes with 20 circuit breakers. Keep in mind that 240-volt circuits use two spaces. Find out how many of these circuits are in your home before choosing a specific size.
Determine the Ideal Size for Your Home
To figure out what panel size is right for your home, you should first identify your current panel’s amperage. This information should be displayed on the main circuit breaker. If you have a 100-amp panel that isn’t meeting your home’s electrical needs, consider upgrading to a 200-amp model.
You’ll also need to consider the panel’s circuit breakers. Single-pole breakers are typically used for lighting and standard outlets. These breakers often have 15-amp ratings. In comparison, double-pole breakers are needed for large appliances and water heaters.
When calculating the load for a specific circuit, keep in mind that breakers always run at 80% of their total capacity. If a circuit breaker has a 20-amp rating, it will only use 16 amps. You can identify an appliance’s electrical load on its nameplate or a sticker that’s been stamped to the back of the device.
It’s easier to calculate your home’s electrical load by requesting help from a licensed electrician. If you call our electricians at Mister Sparky, we’ll start by identifying your home’s total square footage. This information is used to determine how many watts are required for your lights and power outlets.
We’ll then consider the small-appliance circuits in your kitchen, which include everything from toasters and food processors to coffee makers. Small-appliance circuits usually add around 1,500 watts to your home’s total load.
When calculating loads for major appliances, it’s important to consider every device. The wattage of an oven can differ considerably from that of a washing machine. Age, energy efficiency, and size are just a few of the factors that determine the wattage of an appliance.
A washing machine will draw much more energy during the initial startup than it does while it’s running. Since it’s rare for all appliances in a home to run at once, electricians don’t consider 100% of the wattage for your appliances. The final appliance that electricians consider is your HVAC system. Heat pumps and central air conditioners draw a lot of electricity when they’re running. Once your home’s electrical load is calculated, you can choose the right panel size.
Call Mister Sparky for Professional Electrical Services
Here at Mister Sparky, we’ve delivered high-quality electrical services to Gainesville residents and business owners for years. Our expertise allows us to quickly identify issues with a home’s electrical system before providing efficient repairs. If you need to upgrade your existing electrical panel or would like some assistance as you consider your options, we’re here to help. Call us today if you have any questions or would like to schedule an electrical inspection.