Does Your Electrical Panel Need To Be Replaced?
Does Your Electrical Panel Need Replaced?
Outdated electrical panels, service panels, or breaker boxes, can pose serious risks to your home and family. Many homeowners overlook their electrical panel until an issue arises, such as a light not functioning, an appliance refusing to work, or a circuit breaker tripping.
However, aging electrical panels can lead to dangerous situations like fires due to overloads.
Sometimes, needing more electricity due to a home renovation project, a hot tub installation or an electric vehicle charger are all it takes for an electrical panel replacement.
If you are experiencing frequent issues such as blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers, it may indicate that your home’s electrical circuits are overloaded.
Your Home’s Electrical Panel Need Replaced – Aging Out
Your electrical panel should ideally be replaced every 20 to 30 years. If you have lived in your home for that long or purchased an existing home, it is possible that your panel is outdated. Keep an eye out for warning signs like burn marks, buzzing or crackling noises, or the smell of burning plastic around or inside your electrical panel. These signs indicate that you should contact a qualified electrician for an immediate inspection.
Keeping your home safe from electrical hazards starts with an updated service panel. At SOCO Electric, we specialize in performing breaker box safety inspections. Today’s homes consume significantly more electricity than those of just 20 years ago. This increase in electricity use places older electrical panels at risk of becoming outdated, overloaded, and potentially hazardous.
Home Electrical Panels – Increase Capacity
Many of you might not realize that your electrical panel may not meet today’s demands. If you’ve been adding new electronic devices and appliances or if your home has an older panel, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Here are some key signs to watch for that indicate your electrical panel or breaker box may need an upgrade:
- Your breakers trip frequently.
- Your home has an old 60 or 100 amp service.
- You find yourself unplugging one appliance to plug in another.
- Your breaker box appears disorganized or has a mass of wires.
- You are planning to remodel or add new devices to your home.
It’s also important to be aware that certain electrical panel brands are known to have problems and should be replaced immediately. If your panel is from one of these brands—such as Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic, or Sylvania—don’t hesitate to call us for a replacement right away.
Inspecting Your Electrical Panel For Safety
Upgrading your breaker box not only enhances the safety of your home but also ensures your electrical system can handle the demands of modern appliances. With various electronics such as televisions, entertainment systems, and refrigerators all requiring power, distinguishing whether your panel can adequately serve your needs is imperative.
If it’s been a while since your electrical panel was professionally inspected, please reach out to SOCO Electric for an electrical panel safety check or upgrade. Our experienced electricians are equipped to identify other potential problems or hazards in your home’s electrical system. It’s always better to address potential issues before they become serious problems.
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NEED AN ELECTRICIAN IN COLORADO SPRINGS?
Free Consultation!
“Soco Electric exceeded my expectations. They installed an outdoor hookup for a new hot tub. Everything ended up looking very built in, with the conduit even formed nicely around small bends of our siding. The price was very reasonable, and Jonathan is knowledgeable and good at explaining the work needed.” – Ted Firlit

Jon Fitzgerald, Colorado Springs Master Electrician