Signs Your Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade
- North Woods Sasquatch
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system—it distributes power to everything from your lights and appliances to your heating and cooling systems. But over time, outdated panels can become a safety hazard, causing power failures, overloaded circuits, and even electrical fires.
At Northwoods Electric, we’ve upgraded panels in homes, businesses, shops, and apartment complexes, ensuring our customers have a safe and efficient power system. Here are some clear signs that it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel.
1. Your Home Still Has a 100-Amp or Fuse Box Panel
Older homes (built before the 1980s) often have 100-amp panels or even fuse boxes instead of modern breaker panels. While these were fine decades ago, they can’t handle today’s electrical demands.
🔹 Modern homes require at least a 200-amp panel to support appliances, smart devices, and high-powered systems.🔹 Fuses can’t be reset like breakers—if one blows, it needs to be replaced, which is outdated and inconvenient.🔹 Insurance companies may not cover homes with fuse boxes due to the fire risk.
💡 If your home still runs on fuses or an old 100-amp panel, upgrading is a must!
2. Frequent Breaker Trips or Power Outages
Do your breakers trip constantly, or do you experience random power losses? This usually means:
✅ Your panel is overloaded and can’t handle the demand.✅ A breaker is worn out or faulty and needs replacement.✅ There’s an underlying wiring issue that needs to be inspected.
💡 A properly functioning panel should rarely trip. If yours is doing it often, it’s time to call a professional.
3. Flickering Lights or Dimming When Appliances Turn On
If your lights flicker or dim when you use appliances like a microwave, vacuum, or AC unit, your electrical panel may be struggling to distribute power evenly.
⚡ Common causes:🔸 Insufficient amperage for your home’s needs🔸 Loose wiring connections in the panel🔸 Overloaded circuits sharing too many appliances
💡 This is an early warning sign that your panel may not be keeping up with your home's power demands.
4. You’ve Added New Appliances or Equipment
Adding modern appliances, home additions, or high-powered equipment can strain an older panel. If you've recently installed any of the following, you might need a panel upgrade:
✅ Hot tub, sauna, or pool pump✅ EV charger for an electric vehicle✅ Mini-split or central AC system✅ High-end kitchen appliances (induction stoves, double ovens, etc.)✅ Home addition or remodel
💡 If your electrical system wasn’t designed for these upgrades, your panel may struggle to keep up!
5. Your Panel Smells Like Burning or Feels Warm
A burning smell coming from your electrical panel is a serious fire hazard and should be inspected immediately.
🚨 Warning signs of overheating panels:❌ Scorch marks or melted insulation on wiring❌ A hot or warm panel to the touch❌ A burning plastic or metallic smell
🔥 If you notice any of these, shut off power and call an electrician ASAP!
6. You Need More Outlets (or Rely on Power Strips & Extension Cords)
If your home doesn’t have enough outlets, it’s a sign that your electrical panel and wiring aren’t meeting modern demands. Overloading circuits with too many power strips and extension cords can increase fire risks and breaker trips.
💡 A panel upgrade can allow for more circuits, giving you the outlets you need without overloading the system.
7. Your Home is 20+ Years Old and Has Never Had an Electrical Upgrade
Even if you’re not experiencing obvious issues, if your home is 20+ years old, your panel may be outdated and less efficient than today’s standards.
🔹 Older wiring and panels weren’t built for today’s high-energy usage.🔹 Breaker panels wear down over time, even if they’re functioning properly.🔹 Outdated panels may not meet current electrical codes, which could affect home insurance and resale value.
💡 An inspection can determine if your electrical panel is still up to the task or if it’s time for an upgrade.
Why Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?
Upgrading your panel isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about future-proofing your home and ensuring safety. A new panel can:
✅ Prevent overloaded circuits and reduce fire hazards✅ Increase energy efficiency and reduce electrical waste✅ Improve home value and meet modern electrical codes✅ Support future upgrades like EV chargers, smart home systems, and solar power
At Northwoods Electric, we specialize in panel upgrades, whole-home rewiring, and generator installations. With 25+ years of experience, we’ve worked on everything from residential remodels to massive commercial builds—no job is too big or too small!
📞 Need an electrical panel upgrade? Call us today to schedule an inspection!
💡 Northwoods Electric – Shockingly Different! 💡
Comments