If you’re already dealing with the expense and complex logistics of rewiring your residential or commercial property, retaining your existing electrical panel might seem to be a great way to save money and effort. Utilizing an old service panel with new wiring can present an array of problems, however, so you should keep the following in mind if you’re ever faced with this decision at your Miami-area home or business.
The Short Answer to the Question
The average expected service life of a breaker panel is between 25 and 50 years while the service lifespan of electrical wiring averages between 50 and 75 years. This means that if your home’s wiring system has reached the age where it needs to be replaced, your electrical panel is likely due for an upgrade as well. Updating your service panel will also go a long way toward ensuring that your electrical system operates seamlessly because the new wiring will be connected to new breakers instead of being attached to old, outdated components.
Other Reasons For Replacing an Electrical Panel
A general property rewiring project may be the optimal time to install a new electrical service panel, but it’s not the only occasion to consider taking advantage of professional panel replacement services. An electrical panel should be updated if an electrician finds it to be overloaded, damaged or otherwise malfunctioning during a routine inspection and maintenance visit. Installing modern appliances in an older home could also necessitate a new service panel. In addition, an electrical panel may require replacement if the property it serves is significantly renovated or expanded beyond the capacity of the existing panel.
The Electrical Panel Replacement Process
Whether it’s being replaced along with a property’s wiring or as a stand-alone project, an electrical panel should only be updated by a licensed and experienced electrician. If this service is ever in order at your property, you can expect your service provider to start by disconnecting the power at the electrical meter. Next, the existing wires attached to the panel will be disconnected so that it can be removed. The new service panel will then be put into place and connected to the new or existing wiring system. The panel will be properly grounded and fully inspected before reconnecting it to the power supply and turning the electricity back on.
If you have reason to believe that the breaker panel, electrical wiring, or other related components serving your home or business in the Miami area are in need of an upgrade, contact the team at Mister Sparky right away. We’ll schedule an appointment to dispatch a skilled electrician to your location to evaluate the matter at your earliest convenience.