Your electrical panel or breaker box is essentially the brain of your home’s power system. It controls electrical flow throughout your house. However, your panel will wear out over time, potentially leading to problems like melted wires, frequent breaker trips, or even an electrical fire. Knowing how long the average panel lasts and the signs that yours is wearing out can help prevent these issues and keep your home and family safe, and your electricity working as it should.
Average Lifespan
You can expect an electrical panel to last 15 to 20 years before you’ll need to replace it. In some cases, you may never need to replace your panel. This best-case scenario only occurs if an electrician installed it properly, you serviced it regularly, and it remains free of electrical problems, such as short circuits, ground faults, or loose wiring connections. These issues can wear out the panel prematurely.
Making Your Electrical Panel Last
Be cautious not to overload any of the circuits in your electrical panel. Whenever you overload your breakers, you wear them out faster than if you were mindful of their circuit capacity.
Any excessive moisture, including humidity, near your panel can corrode the electrical components. Therefore, make sure you keep the area around your panel dry and well-ventilated.
Every few years, hire an electrician to inspect your panel. During this visit, professionals can check for corrosion, worn-out breakers, loose connections, and other problems that may require repair. They can also determine when you need to replace your breaker panel.
Recognize the Signs of a Problem
By scheduling service visits as required, you can extend the life of your electrical panel and know when to replace it. Some common indications your panel needs professional attention include the following:
- You have flickering or dimming lights
- You hear your panel making buzzing or cracking sounds
- You notice rust or corrosion on the panel
- You touch your panel and it’s hot or warm
- You see sparks when you plug in devices
- You experience frequent tripped breakers
Your electrical panel helps protect your electrical system by shutting off circuits whenever too much electricity flows in one area. However, over time, even well-maintained systems can wear out. Ultimately, you should watch for problems and know when your panel has reached the end of its service life and requires a replacement.
Worried that your electrical panel is outdated and no longer code compliant? Schedule a routine inspection in Boise, ID for your electric panel by contacting Sublime Electric.