Your electrical panel is made to last 25 to 40 years, depending on how well it is maintained. However, many of the homes in Hobart, IN were built in the 1960s when the city was booming, which means those properties now have old electrical panels. As a homeowner, you should be aware of the signs that you need to upgrade your electrical panel so you can avoid major issues.
1. Old Age
Consider the age of your house and determine if the electrical panel is original equipment. Electrical panels that are at least 25 years old should be replaced. Don’t wait for issues to start to develop before installing a new panel. That can put your safety and that of your property at risk.
2. Burning Odors
You may start to notice a burning odor. If you do, that’s a serious cause for concern. Such a strong smell coming from the electrical panel can indicate an imminent electrical fire on the property.
3. Not Enough Outlets
Many older homes in our locale don’t have lots of outlets throughout the building because electronic equipment wasn’t common in past decades. This can make it easy to overtax the outlets that are available, especially if you use power strips to plug in multiple devices in one area of the home. Our professionals at Cruz Electric can add more outlets and inspect the electrical panel to determine if it’s ready to be replaced. We serve people in Hobart and throughout Northwest Indiana.
4. A Warm or Hot Electrical Panel
If you suspect it’s time to replace the electrical panel, touch it to determine if it’s warm or hot. A warm electrical panel means that it’s overheating. This can cause a circuit breaker to trip or even start an electrical fire. Professional electricians can replace the entire electrical panel to prevent the problem from escalating. A new electrical panel will help you avoid dangerous problems that put your safety at risk.
5. Unusual Sounds
Electrical panels can start to make a sound like buzzing noise. It’s a definite warning sign because they’re built to operate silently, and they shouldn’t be loud at all. This can be due to a loose electrical connection or a bad wire, making it necessary to hire a professional to investigate the problem and tell you if the electrical panel has reached the end of its lifespan.
If you want to learn more about when to install a new electrical panel, contact our electricians at Cruz Electric in Hobart, IN. Our team is ready to assist you and answer any of your questions about our services.