Electrical Panel Installation & Replacement in Charlotte, NC

Electrical Panel Installation & Replacement in Charlotte, NCThe purpose of an electrical panel also called a breaker box, is to receive electricity from the outdoor power lines and distribute it appropriately to the various circuits in a home. Many systems in your home won’t work when the panel malfunctions. It’s time to call in a professional electrician if you’re having to reset tripped breakers frequently or notice that some of your home’s outlets don’t work. An experienced electrician should be able to fix whatever is wrong with your electrical panel or to install a new one if that’s what’s needed.

Panels are typically found in a garage, closet, or positioned just outside the home. Every homeowner should know the location of their electrical panel and understand its basic functions. There are older panel models that are no longer approved for residential use because of potential safety issues. If you are uncertain as to your panel’s age, or if you reside in an older house, it would be very smart to have an electrician perform an inspection to make sure everything is up to code.

When should you replace your electrical panel?

The flow of electricity is controlled by circuit breakers. If a circuit is overloaded, the electricity flow will be stopped by the breaker. This is a common experience and often happens if multiple appliances are using the same circuit at the same time. This problem can be easily solved by removing the plug of the appliances and resetting the breaker.

However, if this is happening regularly, you may need the help of a professional to get your old panel replaced with an upgrade so that all your power needs will be fulfilled. If just one breaker is tripping and the system is not being overloaded, then you might simply have a damaged breaker that needs to be replaced to solve the problem.

When you find that you’re having to replace individual breakers frequently, it may make more sense to upgrade to a newer panel. The colors in the breakers will be indicated if they have been replaced already if you are unsure of your panel’s history.

When you are replacing an old appliance with a new one, you should have an electrician by your side who can check and make sure the new unit is compatible with your electrical panel to help prevent overload. This becomes even more important when the replacement will use up more power compared to the old one. If the electrical panel cannot supply the power that is needed by your new appliance then you need to have a new panel installed.

In newer homes, the electrical panel is equipped with AFCI outlets as protection against electrical arcing, which is a common cause of electrical fires. However, old panels dating before 1999 probably do not have this important safety feature. Older homes that don’t have AFCI outlets at the electrical panel or the beginning of each circuit are at risk for electrical fires.

An electrician is certified to do panel inspections and assess the vulnerability. It may be more cost-efficient to install AFCI outlets at the beginning of a circuit rather than replace the whole panel if there are no other issues.

If rusting or corrosion is found surrounding the panel, it would immediately be replaced. A worn-out panel if not shielded appropriately, is always vulnerable to surges, fires, and other damages.

Other signs that your panel needs replacing include:

  • the panel is warm or hot to the touch
  • appliances overheating quickly when plugged in
  • melted electrical wires
  • popping or other noises coming from the breaker box
  • hissing
  • burn marks on panel or outlets
  • burning smell coming from the panel
  • lights flickering when appliances are in use

If you see anything surprising occurring with your home’s electricity, contact an expert immediately. If a circuit is overloaded, it could “fry” anything that’s plugged into it: phones, computers, electronics, etc. If you ignore the signs of a faulty panel, it can be hazardous and costly. If your electrical panel is malfunctioning, it can result in electrocutions or even fires.

Though a panel should last for many years, they’re still subject to wear and tear. Electrical wires are likely to become frayed or worn after many years. Also, rodents may start chewing on your wires and therefore disrupt your system. Whatever electrical issues your home may have, a professional electrician should be able to tell you what’s wrong and what can be done to correct the problem.

You might just need to replace a single wire, or total replacement might be needed. No matter what is needed, your electrician will be able to guide you through your options and get your new panel installed quickly so that you can have electricity in your home once again.

For your family and your appliances to be safe, you need to have a professional conduct an inspection on your panel. An electrical board should be fixed or replaced only by an electrician. If you are unfamiliar with electric work, you could cause further damage and even seriously harm yourself. Electricians have dealt with all kinds of electrical work and will quickly and safely service your home.

Federal Pacific Electrical Panel Upgrades

Your electrical panel is designed to regulate all the electricity coming and going. If your home is equipped with a Federal Pacific Electrical panel (FPE), we highly recommend giving a licensed electrician a call as soon as possible.
Federal Pacific Electrical panels are known for their inability to provide proper protection to families. If your home was built between 1950 and 1990 and you suspect that your home has an FPE panel, our electricians will likely suggest that your electrical panel be replaced as soon as possible. Continuing to use an outdated electrical panel can be very dangerous.

Why are FPE Panels Dangerous?

As a safety measure, your breakers are designed to trip to protect your home from overloaded and short circuits. Various tests have been conducted on FPE Panels and it has been found that one in four FPE panels are defective and do not properly trip. A breaker that does not properly trip is a very serious issue, as electrical fires and other hazards can occur. It has been estimated that nearly 2,800 fires occur each year because of FPE panel use.

Check the brand of your panel by a look at the following locations:
• Panel Cover
• Breakers
• Inside the Panel Cover
• UL Tag

Ewing Electric Co electricians will replace your FPE panel with a new, updated panel. We understand that electrical emergencies are never convenient and at times hazardous. For this reason, we promise to address your electrical problem as quickly as possible.

Scheduling an appointment with Ewing Electric means getting quality service from a licensed, trusted electrician when YOU need it. We always provide the cost of the work before we begin; no surprised or hidden fees! We serve all Charlotte including Southpark, Ballantyne, Dilworth, and Steele Creek and more!