Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system! It distributes power to every outlet, light, and appliance. Over time, older panels can become overloaded, outdated, or unsafe, especially as modern homes demand more power for today’s technology and appliances.
Why You Should Upgrade Your Electrical Panel:
If your home still has an older fuse box or a panel that’s 20–40 years old, it may not be equipped to handle modern electrical needs. Signs you may need an upgrade include flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, buzzing sounds, or warm spots around the panel. Upgrading your electrical panel ensures your system can safely handle the increased load from new appliances, electric vehicles, and smart home devices.
The Hazards of Old Electrical Panels:
Fire Risk: Worn-out or outdated panels (like Federal Pacific or Zinsco brands) are known to fail to trip during overloads, leading to dangerous overheating and electrical fires.
Overloaded Circuits: Older panels often can’t support the number of circuits needed for today’s homes, putting stress on the system.
Shock Hazard: Loose connections and corrosion inside old panels can cause arcing, increasing the risk of shock or electrocution.
Insurance or Inspection Issues: Some insurance companies won’t cover homes with outdated panels due to safety concerns.
Benefits of a Panel Upgrade:
Improved Safety: Reduces risk of electrical fires and shock.
More Power: Supports modern appliances, HVAC systems, and EV chargers without overloading.
Code Compliance: Ensures your home meets current electrical standards.
Increased Home Value: A modern, safe electrical system is a selling point for potential buyers.
Peace of Mind: Reliable, efficient power for years to come.
An electrical panel upgrade is one of the smartest safety improvements you can make — it protects your home, your family, and everything that depends on reliable power.
Screw-in fuse panel
While these panels are not inherently hazardous, the problem typically arose due to homeowner negligence. The fuses are designed to blown at a certain amperage in order to protect the home and the wire from catching fire. Frustrated homeowner would install a copper coin below the fuse after replacing it multiple times, which bypassed the function of safety. However, what they did not realize was that so many things connected on the same wire set created a lot of extra heat which ultimately led to many electrical fires.
FEDERAL PACIFIC
Lost UL listing for falsifying documentation related to their products. Many house fires were cause as a result of this company's negligence.
ZINSCO