How To Upgrade Your Home's Electrical Panel For Increased Capacity

November 2, 2023

How To Upgrade Your Home's Electrical Panel For Increased Capacity

The electrical board is one of the most important components in any Aussie home. It acts as the distribution point for all of the electricity running through a house, and it must be able to handle increased demand when appliances or other electrical items are added.

Upgrading your home's electrical board will allow it to accommodate greater loads and provide more reliable service. This article will discuss how to upgrade your home's electrical board for increased capacity, including determining your home's needs, understanding its electric load capacity, considering options, obtaining permits, and installing the new board.

By understanding the process and taking steps to upgrade their boards accordingly, Aussie homeowners can ensure that their homes remain safe and efficient.

Determine Your Home's Electrical Needs.

It's important to accurately determine a home's electrical requirements before upgrading the electrical panel to increase capacity. Homeowners should evaluate their current energy usage and decide if a larger panel is necessary. They can use energy-efficient solutions like LED bulbs, smart thermostats, and other low-power devices. Safety measures should also be taken into account when selecting the panel size, such as needing additional outlets or circuit breakers for low-voltage panels. Moreover, any wiring changes must follow local regulations for the safety of residents. After meeting these criteria, the appropriate panel size can be chosen to suit the home's requirements.

Understand the Electric Load Capacity of Your Panel

Analysing the electric load capacity of a panel is crucial to ensure safe and efficient operation.

To check the current load, it's vital to comprehend how much power your home requires from all sources. This includes any appliances, lighting fixtures, or other electrical devices that are connected to the panel.

It's also essential to consider any future additions that may occur to determine if the existing panel can handle the increased load.

The total wattage of all power sources shouldn't exceed the maximum wattage rating of your panel as this could cause damage or even fire hazards.

Therefore, it's imperative to understand your panel's electric load capacity before making any upgrades or changes.

Consider Ya Options fer Upgradin' Ya Panel

Upgrading an electrical panel is a possible solution to increase capacity. There are several options for upgrading, such as installing a new electrical panel, adding breakers to the current panel, or replacing fuses with breakers. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making a decision.

New Electrical Panel

Replacing an existing electrical panel with a new one is crucial for increasing the capacity of a home's electrical system. It is important to consider safety concerns when replacing an old panel, as it could create potential hazards in the event of power surges or shorts.

To ensure safety and compliance with electrical codes, homeowners should consult local building authorities before starting any work on their electrical panels. It is best to hire a licensed electrician with experience in this type of work to ensure safe operations and performance.

All wiring connections should also be checked for compliance with applicable standards. Installing a new electrical panel can provide additional safety features such as circuit breakers that automatically turn off electricity if there is an overload or short circuit.

This can help protect wires from overheating and reduce the risk of fire or shock hazards in the home.

Add Circuit Breakers to Current Electrical Panel

Adding circuit breakers to an existing electrical panel can improve safety and increase the power capacity of a home. It's essential to follow local codes and best practices for safe installation when installing additional breakers.

Before adding new circuits, it's crucial to understand the current load rating on the breaker panel to ensure it can handle the increased demand. If you're working with higher voltage systems or larger projects, it's best to consult a qualified electrician.

If there are more than eight circuits in use, a subpanel may be necessary to provide additional space and reliability. Adding circuit breakers is an effective way to increase capacity while also providing peace-of-mind that your home is protected from potential overloads or short circuits when installed correctly.

Replace Fuses with Circuit Breakers

Fusing an electrical panel with circuit breakers can provide a more efficient and reliable form of protection for the home. When replacing fuses with breakers, it is important to take into account all safety standards and regulations.

Upgrading from fuses to breakers is beneficial as it allows for more control over the power supply in terms of circuit protection and current flow. It also makes troubleshooting easier due to the ability to turn off individual circuits without having to disconnect all connections or replace blown-out fuses.

Additionally, when replacing fuse boxes with circuit breaker panels, homeowners should make sure that their new wiring meets local building codes and safety standards in order to ensure optimal performance and maximum security from potential hazards such as fires or electrocution.

Obtain Required Licences

Securing the appropriate permits for electrical panel upgrades is a crucial step in maintaining the safety of a home's occupants and the integrity of its electrical system. Prior to any upgrade work, homeowners should get in touch with their local government office to acquire information about how to apply for the required permits.

Depending on the location, this process can be relatively simple or more complex, with cost estimates varying accordingly. Moreover, local governments may have specific safety protocols that must be adhered to when carrying out an upgrade.

These guidelines are created to ensure that all electrical work is performed in accordance with relevant codes and regulations to safeguard both individuals and property against potential hazards caused by insufficient wiring or other problems.

Install Your New Electrical Panel

Once you've obtained the necessary permits, it's important to enlist the services of a qualified professional to install your new electrical panel. This is a critical step in the process, as it ensures that the installation adheres to local building and safety codes and regulations.

Your chosen professional will possess the electrical expertise required to properly install all breakers, wires, and fuses in accordance with best practices for electrical safety. They may also recommend additional upgrades such as circuit overloads or ground fault interrupters (GFI) if deemed necessary.

In most cases, it's advisable to upgrade your grounding system when installing a new electrical panel box. This will provide added protection against electricity surges that may occur during storms or other events which could potentially overload your home's circuitry.

Furthermore, it's important to add insulation to any exposed wiring prior to finalizing the installation of your upgraded panel box to ensure increased capacity.

Upgrading an electrical panel is a complicated process that requires thorough planning and execution. It's crucial to consider the current panel's electric load capacity, comprehend the electrical requirements of the home, and assess alternatives for upgrading.

Once all essential permissions are acquired, installation can commence. When done correctly, an upgraded electrical panel will offer greater capacity, enhanced safety features, and more energy efficiency.

By performing regular maintenance and routine inspections, homeowners can rest easy knowing that their homes conform to all codes and are adequately powered for many years to come.