How to Troubleshoot Issues with Obsolete Electrical Panels

Introduction

Many homes today still have old and obsolete electrical panels. These panels were installed decades ago and are not up to modern electrical standards. An obsolete electrical panel can present serious safety issues and fire hazards. As panels age, the wiring and components degrade, increasing the risk of short circuits, overloaded circuits, and electrical fires. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot problems and determine if your obsolete panel needs replacement.

Signs You May Have an Obsolete Electrical Panel

There are several warning signs that indicate your home's electrical panel is outdated and potentially dangerous:

• Fuses - Homes built before 1960 likely have fuse boxes. Fuse panels contain screw-in fuses that burn out and must be replaced when overloaded. This is an obsolete technology; modern panels use circuit breakers.

• Small size - Panels should have sufficient slots or spaces for all your home's circuits. If your panel is full and you don't have space for additional circuits, it's undersized and obsolete.

• Fewer than 100 amps - Sixty amp was once the standard size. One hundred amp panels became the norm by the 1960s. Any panel under 100 amps is inadequate for most homes today.

• Odd shape - Watch out for strange sized or shaped panels. Anything that's not a standard rectangular shape could be custom-built or adapted and is almost certainly obsolete.

Dangers of Outdated Electrical Panels

Obsolete panels present several serious risks:

• Overloaded circuits - Older panels often lack enough circuits for all the electrical devices in modern homes. Appliances and gadgets get plugged into outlets on circuits that are already near max capacity.

• Faulty wiring - Outdated wiring insulation tends to crack and degrade over time. This can lead to short circuits and electrical fires within walls.

• Lack of safety features - Newer panels have extra safety mechanisms, like arc fault interrupters, which immediately shut off power in a short circuit. Old panels lack these important protections.

• Fire hazard - Overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, and lack of safety devices add up to a dangerous fire hazard. Electrical faults are a major cause of residential fires.

• Shock hazard - Exposed and degraded wiring can energize metal panel components, creating a shock hazard. Touching an obsolete panel can injure or even kill.

Signs of Trouble with an Obsolete Panel

Watch for these signs that your obsolete electrical panel may be experiencing problems:

• Frequent blown fuses or tripped breakers - This often indicates circuits are overloaded because the panel lacks capacity.

• Corroded and rusted components - This can indicate moisture getting into the panel, causing shorting hazards.

• Unusual buzzing, sizzling or humming - These noises coming from a panel are never normal and signal potentially dangerous electrical faults.

• Burning smell - Overheating wires or components create a distinct burning odor. This likely means something is seriously overheating.

• Warm panel cover - If the panel's cover plate feels warm, the interior components are overheating.

• Flickering lights - Lights that dim and brighten can mean an overloaded circuit is dimming voltage to your bulbs.

• Odd breaker behavior - Breakers that frequently trip without overload or don't properly reset likely have faulty internal mechanisms.

Troubleshooting an Obsolete Panel

If you suspect a problem, you can do some troubleshooting before calling an electrician:

• Check all breakers and fuses - Verify none are tripped due to overloads. Check for corrosion. Ensure all are properly seated in panel.

• Inspect all visible wiring - Watch for cracked/frayed insulation and hot spots. Turn off power first!

• Check cover plate screws - Ensure the panel cover is securely screwed down to seal out moisture.

• Check for unusual smells - Burning or ozone smells can indicate arcing and overheating components.

• Use a multimeter - A voltmeter can check for voltage abnormalities like low power or unstable electrical flow.

• Press the test buttons - Most breakers have a little button that can manually trip them. This tests their mechanics.

• Consider an infrared scan - An IR camera can spot overheating wires and components inside walls.

When to Call an Electrician

If troubleshooting reveals any apparent hazards or problems in your electrical panel, immediately contact a certified electrician or electrical contractor. They have the proper tools and testing equipment to thoroughly inspect your obsolete panel and determine if it's still safe or needs replacement.

An electrician should assess:

• Wire insulation condition using resistance testing
• Voltage levels and loads on each circuit
• Overall panel amperage rating vs your home's needs
• Integrity of all connections, bus bars and components
• Presence and functionality of safety mechanisms

Problems like overloaded circuits, faulty components or hazardous wiring will necessitate a full panel replacement. An electrician can also determine if your home's grounded wiring can support a modern grounded panel, or if rewiring is needed.

Replacement Options for Obsolete Panels

If replacement is needed, you'll have options:

• Circuit breaker panel - The standard for modern homes is a circuit breaker panel with 100+ amps capacity and plenty of extra spaces.

• Load center - A load center is a smaller circuit breaker panel with 30-60 amps for lower capacity electrical systems.

• Fuse box retrofit - A new breaker panel can sometimes be adapted to an old fuse box. This retains the existing wiring.

A full electrical panel replacement often costs $1,000 to $3,000, but is worthwhile for your home's safety. Be sure to get quotes from multiple electricians before deciding.

Ensuring Electrical Safety with a Modern Panel

Replacing an obsolete electrical panel will provide vital safety upgrades:

• Ample capacity - More spaces and higher amperage will support all your home's electrical needs.

• Circuit breakers - Breakers automatically shut off overloaded circuits, preventing fires.

• Grounded wiring - Modern grounded wiring is far safer. Make sure your replacement panel supports it.

• Arc fault detection - Advanced panels have sophisticated sensors to detect dangerous electrical arcing.

• Surge protection - New panels feature surge protection to defend against voltage spikes.

Upgrading your hazardous, outdated electrical panel will provide essential safety for your family and peace of mind knowing your home's electrical system is secure. Be sure to act quickly if you notice any signs of trouble.