Rusted or corroded circuit breaker panels

Over time panels can rust and corrode which can potentially compromise panel including bus bars, breaker slots and even knock outs.

Specific brands or types of panels that have been deemed inherently unsafe such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco

Some panels were not designed properly to begin with. Federal Pacific panels have a design flaw where the circuit breaker will fail to trip when there is a surge in current. This has the potential to cause overheating in wires which can ultimately lead to house fires. Zisco panels were popular in the 1970s and contain aluminum components that can degrade or even melt over time (similar to aluminum wiring in homes). The ultimate threat of a Zinsco panel is a house fire or electric shock. Electric panel recalls and newly discovered problems are ongoing concerns across the industry and if you think you have an inherently dangerous panel then call us today for a free estimate.

Burning smell or signs of burning coming from the panel

Any kind of burning smell coming from an electrical panel should not be ignored. This could be a sign that the circuits are overloading and melting the insulation around the wiring. Reasons for this could be faulty or malfunctioning circuit breakers or problems with the panel itself. Under no circumstances should you see (or smell) indications of burning in an electrical panel.

Inability to handle electrical load of modern homes

A breaker panel that may have been completely adequate for a modern home decades ago is probably too small today. A breaker panel rated for 60 amps is in almost all cases undersized for almost any home today. A breaker panel of 100 amps may be adequate for small homes without too many large appliances (such as central air conditioning or an electric furnace).

For a modern home it is a good idea to have a panel rated at at least 150 amps but if you are upgrading and want to “future proof” your home a 200 amp panel is the appropriate choice.