When It's Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system. Homes built decades ago weren’t designed for today’s electrical demands—multiple TVs, computers, home offices, EV chargers, and smart home devices. Here’s how to know if your panel needs an upgrade.

Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade

1. Frequent Breaker Trips

Occasional trips are normal. Frequent trips indicate your panel can’t handle your electrical load:

• Breakers trip when running multiple appliances
• The same breaker trips repeatedly
• You have to choose which appliances to run

2. Your Home Has a Fuse Box

Fuse boxes were standard until the 1960s but have significant limitations:

• Can’t be reset—must replace blown fuses
• Often undersized for modern needs (60 amps vs. today’s 200 amps)
• May not be insurable
• Replacement parts are increasingly scarce

3. You’re Adding Major Appliances

New appliances often require more power than your panel can provide:

• Electric vehicle chargers (30-50 amps)
• Hot tubs or pools (50+ amps)
• Central air conditioning
• Electric water heaters
• Home additions or renovations

4. Visible Damage or Corrosion

Physical damage to your panel is a serious safety hazard:

• Rust or corrosion
• Burn marks or melted plastic
• Exposed or damaged wires
• Moisture inside the panel

5. Your Home is Over 25 Years Old

Older panels may have:

• Outdated safety features
• Worn components
• Inadequate capacity
• Known defects (Federal Pacific, Zinsco panels)

How Panel Upgrades Work

Assessment

An electrician will evaluate:

• Your current panel’s condition and capacity
• Your home’s electrical demands
• Future needs (EV charging, home additions)
• Local code requirements

The Upgrade Process

1. Permit acquisition - Required for panel work
2. Utility coordination - Power must be disconnected
3. Panel installation - Typically takes 4-8 hours
4. Inspection - City inspector verifies code compliance
5. Power restoration - Utility reconnects service

Common Upgrade Sizes

• 100 amps: Minimum for small homes, no major appliances
• 150 amps: Adequate for average homes with central AC
• 200 amps: Standard for modern homes, allows for EV charging
• 400 amps: Large homes or heavy electrical users

Cost Considerations

Panel upgrades are an investment in safety and functionality:

Factors affecting cost:

• Current panel size and condition
• Desired new capacity
• Whether service entrance needs upgrading
• Permit and inspection fees
• Any necessary wiring updates

What you get:

• Safer, more reliable electrical system
• Capacity for modern electrical demands
• Potential insurance savings
• Increased home value
• Peace of mind

Don’t Wait for Problems

An overloaded panel isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Signs like warm outlets, burning smells, or flickering lights indicate your panel is struggling and potentially creating fire hazards.

Schedule Your Panel Evaluation

Not sure if you need an upgrade? Contact Round Rock Electrician for a professional evaluation. We’ll assess your current system, discuss your needs, and provide honest recommendations. No pressure, no obligation—just expert advice.