Is your electrical panel outdated, faulty, or overloaded? Knowing when it's time for an electrical panel upgrade can prevent dangerous issues down the road. Here are some signs to watch out for that indicate your home needs an electrical panel upgrade.

When Your Fuse Box Is Obsolete

If your home still has an old fuse box, an upgrade to a modern circuit breaker panel is long overdue. Fuse boxes were common in homes built in the last century but are inefficient and prone to overheating issues compared to today's breaker panels. It's no longer possible to find replacement fuses for obsolete fuse boxes, either. Continuing to use an antiquated fuse box puts your home at serious risk of electrical fires or failures. According to IBISWorld, many businesses and homeowners have opted for energy-efficient electrical systems to reduce costs.

When You Have Frequent Electrical Issues

Do the lights flicker or dim frequently in your home? Do circuit breakers often trip for no obvious reason? These are signs of an overloaded panel struggling to meet your home's electrical needs. Outlets may not grip plugs properly either, pointing to faulty, outdated wiring.

An upgraded electrical panel provides sufficient amperage and circuits to handle your home's electrical load safely and efficiently. Today's panels also have advanced circuit breakers that detect issues faster, reducing fire risks.

When Your Home Has Expanded

Has your family and home expanded over the years? More occupants and devices strain your existing electrical panel. Major home additions or renovations also increase electrical demands. Even new high-energy appliances can overload an older panel's capacity.

Check your panel's amp rating; today's homes are required to sustain 100 amps or more, according to the National Electric Code. If your decades-old panel supports less than this, an upgrade is overdue. Lacking sufficient panel capacity risks tripped breakers that cut power at inopportune times. Don't blow your panel's fuse when you turn the AC on in the summer.

A faulty fuse box, frequent electrical issues, or insufficient capacity are clear indicators your home needs its electrical panel upgraded to a modern circuit breaker model. Don't ignore the signs of an overloaded, obsolete panel. Being proactive avoids potentially dangerous failures and provides needed amps for modern electrical loads. Consult with Fresh Start Electrical to inspect your panel and home electrical system and advise the best upgrade option to meet your home's needs safely.