Main Electrical Panel, Fusebox, and Outside Electric Service Replacement

Electrical Panel Upgrades:

Everything You Need to Know About Electrical Panels

How Do I Know If I Need to Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

All you need to do is ask yourself any of these questions:

• Is your home 30+ years old?
• Do your lights ever flicker or dim?
• Do your breakers frequently trip when using several electrical devices at the same time?
• Is your electric panel full, without room for new or larger circuit updates?
• Does your electric panel or meter socket look rusty?
• Do you smell burning or see scorch marks on any receptacles?
• Is the electric cable on the outside of your house badly weathered?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, it’s definitely time to consider upgrading your electric panel. 

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Standards For Electrical Power in Homes

Also important to note is that, while the standard for electrical power in Ohio was one just 30 to 60 amps, modern homes today often require 200 amps or more to power newer 240V appliances, hot water heaters, central air conditioning, computer equipment, HDTVs, lighting, electric heat, pumps, motors, and more.

An older electrical panel may not be able to handle these electrical demands, which can be risky for homeowners.

Is an electrical panel the same thing as a fuse box?

The terms “fuse box” and “electrical panel” tend to be used interchangeably–but there are differences between the two. In fact, a fuse box is essentially considered somewhat obsolete and a predecessor to the electrical panel. How do you know which you have?

A fuse box:

• Is a metal box used to store fuses, which are safety devices that shut your power off when power exceeds the fuse’s design, which works by powering electrical current through a metal strip. Too much power coming through the strip will melt the strip and cut off the electrical power. This is called a “blown fuse” and it must be replaced.
• Is dated technology, which means that many fuse boxes that are still in homes probably haven’t been maintained or are full of wiring issues.
• Makes insurance policies (such as homeowners’) difficult to obtain because many homeowners over the years repaired blown fuses with an incorrect or incompatible replacement that can start fires.

An electrical panel:

• Is a metal box with a panel cover that conceals the circuit breakers within. Circuit breakers are mechanical switches that automatically detect current overage, and these do not require replacement when triggered by a current overage–the switch simply needs to be reset.
• Is considered to be the standard today for electrical equipment (though there are different levels and types of electrical panels).

What Is the Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel?

It’s difficult to provide a definitive cost because there are many types of electrical panels that vary in capabilities and features. For example, a business that is buying and having a commercial electrical panel installed is going to pay far more than a homeowner who is replacing their old box. For most homes, the costs can range anywhere between $1000 and $5,000, depending on what type of panel it is and where it’s being installed.

Can I Replace an Electrical Panel Myself?

We highly recommend leaving this job to a professional, as working with wiring and electricity can be extremely dangerous without the right experience. You may pay more for installation, but you’ll know that the job is done right. At Connected Electrical, we use only professional,  licensed electricians who are committed to a stellar customer service experience at every job.

Do I Need a Permit to Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

This is similar to the previous question. The answer is that it depends. It depends on the project, what exactly needs to be done, where the work will be located… the best way for us to provide an accurate answer regarding permits is by providing you with a free onsite or virtual consultation.

How Do I Maintain My Electrical Panel?

Maintaining your electrical panel is important because…it is actually YOUR electrical panel. If you live in a single-family home, you own the electrical panel, not the electric company. So, maintenance is key in preventing future issues. One easy way to help maintain your electrical panel is to install a cover, if you don’t already have one. Having a cover and keeping it closed helps prevent the components inside from gathering dust or incurring other damage.

One of the most important ways to maintain your electrical panel is to call a licensed electrician, (like those at Connected Electrical), to perform regular maintenance every few years. With this type of service, our electricians remove the panel cover, inspect the breakers, check connections, conduct a thermal check and more.

We’re the Electrical Panel Upgrade Experts

If you’re unsure about if you might need a new electrical panel or simply want us to perform maintenance, call Connected Electrical today at 216-534-9508 in the Greater Cleveland area, 330-574-4282 in the Akron/Youngstown area or 614-820-5485 in the Columbus Metro Area.

As a service to those who feel safer communicating from a distance, we also offer virtual estimates for most of our electrical services–simply send us some photos or have a video chat with a member of our team. We’ll provide you with everything you need to make an informed decision by email, call or text within 48 hours…without us ever having to step foot in your home before service.

Click here to learn more about virtual estimates or give us a call today to schedule an in-person consultation.