Atlanta, Georgia is one of the fastest growing cities in North America. Many ancient buildings are giving way to the high rises. Also, thanks to the tax break which has been introduced by the US government on home renovations; a large number of people are now re-decorating their abodes.
One of the major challenges faced by the commercial property owners and homeowners alike is when to upgrade the electrical wiring and electrical panel box during renovation.
An up to date Electrical Panel are needed in the home to ensure safety of the inhabitants. If there is an excess flow of power through the wiring, the electric wires will melt and may even cause a fire. Fuses are designed to detect this flaw and break the circuit by blowing the fuse, as was the trend in older panels. Newer panels have circuit breakers that are designed to trip.
Upgrading a panel box or electrical wiring is not an easy job and should be handled by an experienced and licensed electrician in Atlanta. But before getting on with the job of finding an expert Atlanta electrician, it is important to know when you should upgrade your unsafe or outdated panel box.
Below are some situations that may call for an upgrade of your electrical wiring and electric panel box:
Renovating or Remodeling home
You need to upgrade your panel box if you:
· Have moved into an antiquated home with inadequate or old electrical wiring
· Are planning to add additional rooms, remodel the kitchen or add new electrical equipment
· Are adding a hot tub, oven, or spa in your home, or are installing a new central air conditioning unit
Upgrading for safety
In years past, the average American home was wired for 30-60 amperes of power while homes to date are wired for a minimum 100 amperes-200 amps of power. Therefore, if you are living in a home with electrical wiring that is more than two decades old, you should upgrade your electrical wiring to avoid any electrical shock and avoid any hazards that may lead to a fire.
Some of the older electrical panel boxes that need to be upgraded include:
· Panel boxes that do not allow the circuit breakers to trip when an overload or short-circuit occurs.
· Panels made by Federal Pacific Electric Company that were developed during 1950’s up until 1980’s. These panels have many design and manufacturing flaws. A report by US Consumer Product Safety Commission calls these panel boxes “defective”.
· Zinsco panel boxes manufactured during the 70’s allowed the current to flow even when the circuit breakers was tripped. Pushmatic breaker panel boxes don’t contain a main circuit breaker and are difficult to re-set and therefore, should be replaced by a modern breaker panel box.
We cannot downplay the importance of electricity in our lives. From cooking our breakfast in the morning to helping us get ready for office, we surely can’t imagine a life without power. Therefore, if you suspect that the electrical panel in your home is not safe or is not providing you with sufficient power then call an electrician for a home safety inspection today.
An expert electrician from Atlanta will help you upgrade your electrical panel box in a clean and efficient manner to make your home a safe place to live.
