As people purchase more electronics, possibly even adding a new appliance here and there, older electrical panels may not keep up with demand. That can create problems, such as breakers frequently tripping due to overloading the available circuits. Having a licensed electrician upgrade your electrical panel can solve this problem and prevent more substantial, perhaps even dangerous, issues from occurring.
Safety First
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical failures or malfunctions were responsible for more than forty-four thousand residential fires each year between 2012 and 2016, making them the second-leading cause of home fires. Electrical distribution, lighting, and power transfer equipment accounted for half of these. Aging electrical systems, arc faults, short circuits, and overloaded circuits can contribute to electrical fires and should be mitigated by contacting a licensed electrician.
Increasing Amperage
Inside every panel is the main breaker, which shuts off ALL power to the residence, along with several circuit breakers and bus bars. You can identify the panel’s current amperage capacity by looking at the main breaker. To increase this capacity or have dedicated circuits installed, as required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for major appliances, a licensed electrician will need to rewire your home and upgrade the panel.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades
There are a few energy-efficient upgrades for electrical panels, including intelligent circuit breakers, that can monitor the power your appliances and electronics are consuming. That will allow you to make wise decisions so that you can save money on future energy bills. Like Leviton’s new smart load center, some of the more recent products on the market can also instantly alert you to a tripped breaker (Gartenberg, 2019). Another option is an after-market smart energy meter that a licensed electrician can connect to a specific circuit to monitor the amount of power a single appliance or electronic is using. Whole-home monitors are also available.
Contact a Licensed Electrician to Upgrade Today
A&H Electric Co. is a certified and licensed electrician specializing in residential and commercial installation, service, and repair. Our company services the Conroe, Houston, and The Woodlands area during regular business hours and, because we understand that emergencies happen, offers 24-hour repair.
Please contact us at (936) 756-0442 to schedule a service appointment.
Our electrical contractors possess the equipment and expertise necessary to upgrade your electrical panels when the need arises and ensure your system is fully operational. Plus, we are committed to standing behind our workmanship, with a full one-year warranty on all projects.
A&H Electric is currently hiring! Please click here to view and apply for our company’s open employment opportunities.
Resources:
Campbell, Richard. “Home Electrical Fires.” The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), March 2019.
Gartenberg, Chaim. “Leviton’s new smart Load Center brings app control to your circuit breakers.” The Verge, February 19, 2019.
“How to Buy Electrical Panels.” The Home Depot.