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An electrical panel or circuit breaker box provides electricity to power appliances and devices throughout a property. Unfortunately, it’s easy to overlook your panel and assume you’ll always have sufficient power to run modern electronics safely. Depending on your home’s electrical needs, upgrading your electrical system and adding a breaker to a panel could be beneficial in more ways than one.
Installing a new breaker in panels isn’t something you should handle alone. As a top-rated electrician in Marshfield, MA, our Crowe Electric master technicians have ample experience adding circuit breakers to electrical panels. Here, we explain everything you should know about expanding breaker capacity in panels, including its benefits and why you should leave the job to professionals.
Reasons for Adding a Circuit Breaker to an Electrical Panel
Your circuit breaker panel is your property’s main electricity distribution hub. If you open your panel and see round glass fuses, your panel is outdated. More modern varieties have black switches inside the gray panel box to control the flow of electricity to various parts of the house.
Upgrading your electrical panel and adding another breaker could improve your home’s electrical system in multiple ways, including the following.:
Consistent Flow of Electricity
Inconsistent electrical panels are an excellent reason to update them. If you live in an older home with its original wiring, some wires could have damage, resulting in the following problems:
- Sparks when you plug something into an outlet
- Warmth around the electrical panel
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Discoloration resembling scorch marks around outlets
- Dimming lights whenever you turn on a big appliance
Reduce Power Surges
A power surge occurs when a higher voltage comes through wires. A major surge could damage your devices, but small power fluctuations are just as problematic. Stop power surges at the electrical panel instead of investing in power strips or surge protectors.
Meet New Electricity Demands
Despite most modern electronics and appliances being energy-efficient, many still draw too much power for old panels to accommodate. Getting a new television on top of using gaming systems, kitchen appliances, and chargers for several mobile devices could overload an older electrical system. In this case, adding a breaker to a panel during an upgrade is ideal to ensure your home can meet your energy needs.
Consider if your home’s electrical panel is 150 amperage. Upgrading it to 200 amps would quickly boost the property’s ability to handle running multiple appliances and devices simultaneously without having to worry about something getting an inadequate electricity flow.
Decrease in Electrical Fire Risks
Old wiring and an outdated electrical panel aren’t only inconvenient; they’re also dangerous. The more power you pull on a faulty electrical system, the more you increase your risk of fires, electrocutions, and electrical shocks.
Instead of rewiring your home, which is usually expensive, you can upgrade the electrical panel with new circuits to mitigate the problem. This option is perfect if you want to sell your property. Potential buyers will appreciate a recent panel upgrade because they’ll know the house can handle power-demanding modern appliances without potentially starting an electrical fire.
When to Upgrade an Electrical Panel
It’s best to replace electrical panels every 25 to 40 years. However, you might need to consider an earlier upgrade if you’re experiencing problems with your current system.
An occasional tripped circuit breaker doesn’t always mean an electrical panel has a serious problem. Still, it’s a good idea to consult an experienced electrician who can inspect the system and determine if it’s time to upgrade it.
Is Adding a Breaker to an Electrical Panel a Do-It-Yourself Job?
Adding a breaker to a circuit panel isn’t common knowledge. You can find online guides about inserting breakers into electrical boxes. However, the job is too dangerous and complex to complete unless you’re a licensed electrician.
Reach Out to Our Crowe Electric Experts When You’re Ready to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
Upgrading your electrical panel may be best if you worry about a circuit overload to your home’s electrical panel or need a more stable electricity flow to handle your many devices and appliances. Still, adding a breaker to a panel isn’t something you should do yourself. Instead, make an appointment with our Crowe Electric team.
Our certified technicians have years of experience providing top-quality electrical services with outstanding workmanship to Marshfield, Massachusetts residents. We’re available 24 hours a day and offer second opinions and financing. Call 781-678-8266 today to book an appointment with Crowe Electric.