In today’s world, where our reliance on electricity is greater than ever, outdated electrical panels pose serious safety risks that homeowners cannot overlook. Older homes with aging systems may lack the capacity to handle modern electrical demands, leading to potential hazards.
As electrical codes and technology evolve, updating electrical panels is crucial. In this blog, we will explore the dangers associated with outdated electrical panels, the different types of outdated electrical panels, and why upgrading is essential to ensure the safety and efficiency of your home.
Safety Risks Associated with Outdated Electrical Panels
Outdated electrical panels pose several safety risks that can jeopardize the property and personal safety of those around them. Here are key safety risks that need to be addressed:
- Fire Hazards: Older panels may overheat due to excessive electrical loads, increasing the risk of electrical fires. Electrical fires can ignite behind walls or in concealed spaces, making them challenged to detect until they are already underway.
- Circuit Overloads: Older panels often lack the capacity to handle modern electrical demands, leading to frequent overloads that trip breakers and cause damage to appliances.
- Exposed Wiring: Any exposed wires or electrical components could ignite sparks, creating a fire or causing electrocution. If you see any exposed wiring, avoid the wires and contact an electrician immediately.
- Burning Smell: If your electrical wiring or panels are omitting a burning smell like plastic, this indicates an increased risk of an electrical fire. Breathing these toxic particles into your lungs causes respiratory issues and breathing difficulties.
- Increased Electrical Costs: If your electrical panel frequently requires repairs or maintenance, your electrical costs will increase. If this occurs, have an electrician inspect your panels so they can determine the underlying issue.
- Unreliable Electrical Performance: If you are experiencing flickering lights in your residence, appliance inefficiencies, power surges, or any other electrical reliability issues, it’s likely your electrical panels are outdated. When these performance issues happen, you increase the risk of electrical danger.
- Electrical Shock: Electrical panels with exposed live wires increase the risk of electric shock to anyone who encounters them. Never touch any live wires and reach out to an electrician for immediate assistance.
Milton’s Pro Tip: If you experience any electrical safety issues, call your local electrician to inspect your electrical panel and system. Never do this on your own and without the assistance of a licensed professional.
5 Types of Outdated Electrical Panels
Electrical panels are a crucial component of any home’s electrical system. Still, many homeowners do not realize many types of electrical panels are outdated and unsafe to use. Various older electrical panel types like Zinsco Panels, Challenger, Split-Bus Electrical Panels, Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), and Fuse Boxes have all been identified as problematic due to their inability to handle modern electrical demands and their increased risk of malfunction.
#1 – Zinsco Panels
Zinsco Panels have a rich history and have been around for quite some time. Originally made in the late 1800’s and installed in homes in the early 1900’s, they were innovative and considered an advancement in technology.
In 2002, the manufacturers of Zinsco panels, Zinsco Electrical Panel Replacement Service and Federal Pacific, were involved in a class action lawsuit due to safety concerns. A recall on the product was made, and they were deemed no longer safe in homes. These panels have multiple design flaws, including circuit breakers that would fail to trip, poor electrical connections, and low-quality aluminum causing the bus bars to overheat and melt.
To determine if you have a Zinsco electrical panel, open your panel box and look to see if your circuit breakers are in a vertical line and color coded. If so, contact an electrician to determine to upgrade your electrical panels.
#2 – Challenger
During the 1970s-1990s, Challenger electrical panels were popular and installed in many residential homes. However, Challenger panels quickly became problematic. Many homeowners experienced circuit breaker failures when needed and some Challenger panels were produced with substandard materials leading to deterioration over time. These panels malfunction and cause excess heat, resulting in electric fires and serious safety risks.
Challenger experienced recalls in 1988 for a faulty mechanical part, preventing the circuit breaker from faulting properly and again in 2014 when a majority of the panels were designed with electric components that increased the risks of electrical shock. Due to its popularity and development, many homes to this day still have Challenger electrical panels.
#3 – Split-Bus Electrical Panels
Split-bus panels were commonly installed in the1950’s-1970’s. When they were originally invented, they operated differently from standard panels. They feature two buses and lack a single main disconnect. They include up to six breakers labeled “main.” One of these main breakers regulates power to the lower half of the breakers, while the other main breakers connect to the first bus.
These panels were popular but have since become outdated, making them unsafe for residential electrical panel installation. They cannot hold modern electrical loads which affects the breaker’s functionality and reliability. In addition, NEC, Section 230.71 was updated in 2020, only allowing service panels to have one disconnect whereas split-bus panels have multiple. While these panels did not pose serious safety concerns when they were originally installed, you must upgrade your split-bus electrical panel to maintain your safety with modern electric loads.
#4 – Fuse Box
An alternative to a circuit breaker panel is a fuse box. A fuse box distributes electricity to different circuits, with the main goal of protecting your home’s electrical appliances from power surges or overloads. If your fuse box experiences a power surge, it would burn out, requiring immediate replacement and increasing your chances of an electrical fire.
Safety hazards associated with fuse boxes were caused by placing too many appliances on one circuit, replacing a fuse with a bigger fuse (more amp), and putting metal into the fuse box. All of these caused concerns about electric overheating and fires.
#5 – Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
Federal Pacific Electric panels were the most popular breaker type installed in homes between 1950-1980. The issue with the panels is that the manufacturer, Federal Pacific Electric, lied about testing a safety certification. Because of this, many of their breaker models lacked National Electric Code (NEC) safety requirements. A study showed that 1 in 4 FPE breakers failed to trip. This resulted in increased risks of electric fires and electrical overloads. If your home was built between 1950-1980, you must have an electrician inspect your panel to ensure it is not an FPE.
Did You Know? Outdated electrical panels cause 20% of home fires.
Upgrading Your Electrical Panel: Ensure Safety and Reliability
As mentioned, older panels are not equipped to handle the demands of modern appliances and technology, leading to electric overloads, fire hazards, and frequently tripped breakers. Upgrading not only enhances the reliability of your electrical system but also ensures compliance with electrical codes.
Electrical Panel Upgrades and Replacement with Milton Electric
Understanding the safety risks associated with outdated electrical panels is essential for every homeowner. Outdated electrical systems pose serious safety hazards, like electrical fires and circuit overloads jeopardizing your home and your family’s safety. By being aware of these dangers, you can take proactive steps to protect your property.
If you suspect your electrical panel is outdated, like the electrical panel types listed, or is not working properly, reach out to the team at Milton Electric for expert panel assessments and upgrades. There are many different options for panel replacement like smart electrical panels and solar panels. Investing in a modern electrical panel not only ensures safety but also helps support modern appliance demands.