If you have an older home or commercial building, your electrical control panel may date back to the 1980s or earlier. Is an old circuit breaker like this safe to use? Unfortunately, the reality is outdated electrical panels can have some significant drawbacks because they don’t contain the same safety features as newer ones.
Learn more about some of the safety hazards of continuing to use an old circuit breaker in your house.
Potential Hazards of Older Models
The circuit breaker is a key piece of equipment in any home or business. It safely controls the flow of electricity through your wiring. If anything unusual occurs with the electrical flow, it trips and cuts off the electricity. Stopping the flow of power plays a key role in preventing electrical fires.
An old-school circuit breaker won’t contain the same safety features as a modern model. This means that continuing to use it could present a greater fire risk for your property.
If you choose to replace an older version, you may have the benefit of qualifying for federal government tax credits or rebates. The U.S. Dept. of Energy offers cash or tax breaks for certain home upgrades, including electrical upgrades.
Signs Yours Is Nearing the End of Its Lifespan
Some of the key signs that you may have an old circuit breaker include:
- Frequent tripping
- Burning odors
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Frequent light bulb burnouts
- Outlets hot to the touch
- Crackling noises from outlets
- Sparks from the outlets
- Frayed wires
Additionally, some brands are not safe to continue using. Older brands like Federal Pacific (FPE), Challenger, and Zinsco circuit breakers are more susceptible to major failures that could lead to a fire. They should be taken out and replaced immediately.
How Old Is My Circuit Breaker?
Individual units should have a label on them that lists the date of manufacturing. If this is absent, you might see a date code stamped or etched on the visible part. If you can’t decipher the date code, call us or your electrician for help.
For the panel itself, the printed map of the breakers may have the manufacturing date printed on it. It’s usually found on the door.
The typical circuit breaker lifespan is 25 to 40 years. If yours is older than 25, you may have a problem securing coverage from your homeowners’ insurance. Some insurance companies will require you to replace older models to keep your policy active.
Let ESD LLC Help With Upgrading Your Electrical System
If you are ready to upgrade your old circuit breaker, ESC LLC has multiple products that will help. Whether you want to do a full panel board replacement or a smaller upgrade, we can provide you with the items you need. Whether you’re a residential, commercial, or industrial client, we’ll go above and beyond to assist you.
Contact us online or call us today at (425) 419-4167 for more information. We can explain how to prevent short circuits, what shunt breakers are, and more.
