panel and service upgrade

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What is a panel/service upgrade?

Panel and service upgrade are actually two different things. Panel upgrade means replacing your electrical panel. weather it’s an old panel and you want to upgrade it to make it safer, or you want a panel with more space. On the other hand, service upgrade is changing the feeder that connects the city line to the building to give your panel more power. It requires a permit from BC Hydro and it potentially includes a panel upgrade as well.

When do you need a panel upgrade?

It is recommended that you replace your electrical panel every 25 to 40 years. Signs that you would need such thing done could be:

Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips: If your circuit breakers trip frequently, it could indicate an overloaded or malfunctioning panel.
Buzzing or Crackling Sounds: Unusual sounds near the panel may indicate loose connections or faulty components.
Burn Marks or Scorching: Any visible signs of burning or scorching around the panel are concerning.
Warm or Hot Panel: A panel that feels unusually warm or hot to the touch needs attention.
Corrosion or Rust: Rust or corrosion on the panel can affect its performance.
Dimming or Flickering Lights: Inconsistent lighting can be a sign of panel issues.
If there are fuses in your panel instead of breakers. (Fuses are not used in electrical panels anymore due to safety reasons. There are other uses for them outside of this topic)
Old Age: If your panel is older than 25-40 years, consider an upgrade.

When do you need a service upgrade:

When you add a load to your home such as an EV charger, AC, electric heating, electric hot water tank or any equipment that uses significant power, The electricians do a demand calculation for the building. This will indicate If you already have enough power to support the installation or not. If not, then you need a service upgrade to provide more power.

Insufficient Power for Modern Appliances or equipment: If you’re experiencing power shortages, especially with newer electrical equipment or appliances, it could be a sign that your current electrical panel isn’t up to the task.
Flickering Lights: If your lights flicker or dim when you turn on appliances, it could indicate an overloaded electrical system.
Power Surges: Frequent power surges can put your appliances at risk.
Frequent breaker trips: If your breakers are frequently tripping, it could be a sign that your panel is running close to its capacity
Future home improvement plans: If you’re planning to add high-power appliances or undertake major renovations, you might need to upgrade your electrical service to accommodate the increased load

Always prioritize safety. It’s essential to have a skilled technician oversee this task. We’ll handle it with our exceptional expertise and professionalism, ensuring we meet all safety standards. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to book a quote for your panel or service upgrade.