How To Safely Relocate an Electrical Panel in Plympton, MA

Sometimes, you have to rethink your home to carve out your desired lifestyle. That often means gutting some areas while moving other elements around. Homeowners may overlook utility logistics in the excitement of more creative upgrades.

Whether exploring renovation options or making your home a little safer, you’ll need an electrician who knows how to relocate an electrical panel. Crowe Electrical offers trusted electrical services in Plympton, MA, and we’re here to explain the process below. 

Reasons To Relocate an Electric Panel in Plympton, Massachusetts

You might consider electrical panel relocation for myriad reasons, such as the following:

• Your home’s electrical network needs an update.
• You want to renovate.
• You don’t like that the panel is in a conspicuous area.
• You don’t have enough power for modern appliances.

How an Electrician Relocates an Electrical Panel in a Residential Property

First and foremost, only a licensed electrician in Plympton, Massachusetts, should handle this project. Find out how our electricians complete the process below. 

#1 Project Planning

If you search for “moving electrical panel requirements in Plympton, MA,” online, you’ll notice that it isn’t as cut and dry as taking things off the wall and putting them somewhere else. Your electrician needs:

• The correct upgrade components for the panel size
• A plan that follows the National Electrical Code
• A location that can facilitate your panel

The electrician will evaluate codes and gather any municipal permits needed to legalize and legitimize the project. 

#2 Safety Precautions

Once the work begins, your electrician will adhere to these relocation safety tips:

• Turning off the power supply connected to the panel
• Switching all breaker switches to the off position
• Creating an obstacle-free, well-ventilated workspace
• Donning goggles, rubber gloves, steel-toed boots, and a hard hat

These precautions prevent shock, electrocution, and other potential mishaps.

#3 Panel Disassembly

An essential part of knowing how to relocate an electrical panel involves carefully removing and labeling each and every component. The electrician will:

1. Disassemble the panel box piece by piece
2. Disconnect and relocate the breaker box safely
3. Remove and organize each switch
4. Separate the branch circuit cables and main ground wire
5. Disconnect and separate each individual wire

That last step requires precision and organization because of the vast quantities of wires. 

#4 Marking Wires

Now, the electrician moves on to wire documentation. An electrical panel can house three wires for each breaker switch. Houses in Plympton, Massachusetts, can have up to 30 breakers. Some simple math shows that you could have up to 90 wires on average. 

The electrician will take their time labeling each wire, bundling it, and setting it aside for the next step. The electrician should take their time during this part of the process, as care is crucial to knowing how to relocate an electrical panel. 

#5 Assembly and Testing

Your electrician can finally begin reassembling the panel pieces at the new installation location. They’ll attach the paneling, secure the wires, and connect the switches accordingly. If you planned for panel upgrades during this project, they’ll also facilitate those transitions. 

Then, after a thorough inspection to ensure they safely connected every component, they’ll turn the power back on so the supply returns to the new location. Your electrician will conduct several switch tests to see whether the circuits respond safely. They’ll also keep their eyes peeled for any potential signs of electrical hazards. 

What To Do After the Electrician Completes This Project

The electrical panel relocation process can take anywhere from a few hours to one or two days, depending on your network complexity and what you’d like to add. However, once the electrician completes the project in your home, you need to finish a few follow-up tasks:

• Inform your utility provider about the change. They can update their records accordingly.
• Consider whether you need any additional upgrades. Since relocation requires disassembly, the project might reveal some outdated components you didn’t previously consider. 
• Add outlets and power switches throughout your home accordingly. If you went ahead and upgraded the panel in the process, you can make your network more accommodating to your needs.