How to Safely Replace Electrical Panels in Your Home

Replacing an electrical panel in your home is an important upgrade that requires care and expertise. As a homeowner, you can safely replace your own electrical panel if you take the proper precautions. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to safely replace electrical panels in your home.

Research and Planning

Before touching your electrical panel, you need to do thorough research and planning. Rushing into an electrical panel replacement risks fire, injury, or even death if mistakes are made. Be sure to take the following planning steps:

Consult your local building codes - Electrical codes vary by location, so check what is allowed and required in your area. Permits are often needed as well.
Hire an electrician - Unless you are highly experienced, hire a licensed electrician to replace the panel. They can ensure proper techniques and code compliance.
Choose a new panel - Select a UL-listed panel that matches your home's electrical needs. Consider capacity for future expansion.
Create a plan - The electrician should produce a detailed plan for replacing the old panel with the new one.
Have utilities turned off - Schedule your utility company to switch off power to the home at the electrical meter.

Safely Removing the Old Panel

Once preparation is complete, you can move forward with safely removing the existing electrical panel:

Turn off the main breaker - The main breaker shuts off power to the panel. Flip it to the off position.
Disconnect all wires - The electrician will disconnect the wires and conduits from the old panel. Label wires to ease re-installation.
Check for current - Use a non-contact voltage tester to double check there is no power present in the panel.
Remove panel from the wall - Unscrew the panel from the wall and carefully extract it. Watch for any hidden wires behind.
Inspect the area - Look for signs of damage, corrosion, moisture or other issues where the old panel was mounted. Address any problems.

Installing the New Electrical Panel

With the old panel removed, focus on safely installing the new replacement panel:

Mount the new panel - Securely fasten the panel to the wall according to manufacturer instructions. Use proper mounting hardware.
Connect the grounding wires - Reattach the grounding wires first, ensuring a proper grounded connection.
Connect the wires - Reconnect all the wires exactly as they were on the old panel, following code and the plan. Keep wires organized.
Double check connections - Tug test all wires to verify tight, secure connections. Loose wires can cause arcing and fires.
Install front cover - Attach the metal front cover securely to protect internal parts.
Apply labeling - Add labels indicating panel circuits to help identify different breakers.

Restoring Power and Testing

The final steps are to restore power, test operation, and handle final inspection:

Notify the utility company - Schedule the utility company to reconnect power at the meter after the new panel is completely installed.
Turn on main breaker - Once utilities reconnect meter power, turn on the main breaker in the new panel.
Check breakers - Flip each new breaker off and back on to ensure smooth operation.
Test outlets - Go inside the home and test outlets to verify proper power restoration.
Schedule inspection - Most areas require an inspection of new electrical panels. Arrange this with your local building department.
Obtain approval - Only consider the panel replacement fully complete once the inspector approves the job.

By carefully following safety procedures and codes, you can successfully replace your own home's electrical panel. However, electrical work always involves danger. Contact a professional electrician if you have any doubts about safely replacing your panel.