Gain peace of mind with an electrical panel upgrade by a Midlands electrical contractor

If you have an older home or you’re preparing to make renovations, it’s important to know what your electrical system can actually handle. Our professional electricians will assess your energy needs with your current capacity and give you advice on next steps for your electrical panel.

Flickering lights and tripping circuits? It could be a sign of inadequate amperage

Just because an issue is tolerable doesn’t mean it’s safe. If your electrical panel is overheating, your circuits keep tripping, or a number of other issues plague your home, then you’re at risk of electrical fire and other hazards. By having your current panel inspected – and upgraded, if necessary – you make your home significantly safer to live in.

An electrical panel replacement will improve all parts of your home

A new panel increases your home’s safety

200 amps is the standard capacity for a modern home. Less than that, and there’s a good chance your modern appliances are drawing more power than your existing panel can handle. With a new one, you reduce the risk of hazards like electrical fire, ensure a full life expectancy for your electronic devices, and generally improve the function of your home.

It increases the value of your home

An older home tends to have 100 amps of capacity. That’s not typically enough to power your major appliances at the same time and run the TV anymore. Plus, electrical panels last about 20 to 30 years. A brand new electrical panel will significantly increase the market value of your home if you choose to sell it in the future.

You’ll be prepared for the future

Electrical devices need increasingly more power to run. With updated electrical wiring and a new electrical panel, you’ll be prepared for appliance and device upgrades for years to come.

Electrical panels are investments that pay for themselves

An electrical panel is a worthwhile upgrade. It prepares you for the future – when you’ll inevitably buy new appliances or even expand your home – improves your home’s safety, and lasts as long as 30 years. Whether you’re in your forever home or you know you’ll sell your home eventually, you’re going to get your money’s worth.

Why Work with Rytec Electric?

We’re confident about what we do because we have hundreds of successful projects under our belt. Our clientele see the quality of our electrical work, too. Most of our new customers come from referrals by friends and family who have already used our services.

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Fast Installations

No one wants to be without electricity for any longer than they need to be. We’re going to arrive at your property on time, and our vans will already be fully stocked with everything we need for the installation.

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Expert Technicians

Every one of our electricians is licensed, which means they have years of experience. We have meetings every week to continue training and improving our skills. It keeps us sharp and capable of quickly finding solutions for all kinds of problems.

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Easy Installations

We can handle every part of a project. We’ll communicate with your utility company, secure necessary permits, show up on time for every job, and so much more. We clean up after ourselves before we leave, and we work with you to prevent too much disruption to your routine.

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20 Years of experience

We’ve got two decades of experience in serving our community. We’re not afraid to say we’re good at what we do, and we put our money where our mouth is: All of our electrical services have a one-year labor guarantee.

What are our customers saying about our service?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my electrical panel humming?

If your electrical panel is humming softly, it’s generally nothing to worry about. If you hear the following sounds:

  • Crackling
  • Sizzling
  • Buzzing
  • Popping

Your panel should be checked out by a certified electrician immediately, as these are never normal sounds for it to make. Faulty circuit breakers or loose, damaged wires can cause electrical fires and put your family at risk of electrocution.

How long will it take to repair or upgrade my breaker panel?

How long it takes to repair or upgrade a breaker panel depends on several factors, like the state of your old electrical panel and how large the upgrade will be.

Should the circuit breakers on my panel be hot?

The circuit breakers on your panel should never be hot. If they are, it could be because they’re:

  • Overloaded with power
  • Inadequate for use
  • Defective
  • Incorrectly installed

Hot circuit breakers are a fire hazard and should be investigated by a certified electrician immediately.

When should I call an electrician?

Because of the risks associated with novice or incorrect electrical work, you should always call a licensed electrician to complete electrical repairs. This is especially true if:

  • Circuit breakers trip or fuses blow repeatedly.
  • You need to install or move outlets, light fixtures, or switches in a room.
  • Lights dim when household appliances are in operation.
  • You see evidence of water damage, like rust, near electrical systems.
  • You want extension cords moved or installed.
  • Electrical switches and outlets feel warm or don’t work properly.
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets aren’t installed in a kitchen, bathroom, garage or outside.

Can I upgrade my service panel myself?

Unless you’re extremely technically proficient, we don’t recommend upgrading your service panel by yourself. Some risks of incorrect installation include:

  • Increased chance of electrical fire
  • Personal harm while installing
  • Issues with your insurance company if you need to make a claim

Is it worth upgrading my electrical panel?

Whether it’s worth upgrading your electrical panel depends on whether your current panel has the capacity for your needs. If your electrical panel is running out of capacity, then there are definitely benefits to upgrading your electrical panel, including:

  • Reduced risk of electrical fire or other hazards
  • Improved function of all electronics in your home
  • Better life expectancy of your appliances
  • Increase your home’s market value if you decide to sell it

What’s the problem with Federal Pacific Electric panels? How do I know if I have one?

In short, the problem with Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels is that circuit breakers are extremely unlikely to work correctly. This means there’s no fail-safe in place if too much electricity is running on a line or a circuit begins overheating, which, in turn, greatly increases the risk of an electrical fire.

FPE went out of business in the ‘70s, but it’s estimated that at least 25 million of their breaker boxes are still in operation. Some quick, at-a-glance ways to know if you have an FPE panel include:

  • The words “Federal Pacific” on the outside
  • The FPE logo on the outside
  • The words “Federal Pacific Electric Company” on a sticker on the inside of the door
  • The word “Stab-Lok” on the breakers

FPE had additional names in different regions of the U.S. and Canada, and through the ‘90s, some companies continued to make panels based on the FPE design, though by then it was known to be faulty. If you’re concerned about your electrical panel, don’t try opening it up yourself. Contact a licensed electrician to take a closer look as soon as it’s feasible.

You can learn more on the history of faulty FPE panels at our blog.

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