Your home’s electrical panel — also known as the distribution board—is the central control hub for the electricity that powers your appliances, lights, and devices. It distributes electric current across your home’s electrical system and protects circuits using circuit breakers or, in older systems, fuses. However, when electrical panels are damaged, outdated, or overloaded, they can pose serious hazards to your property and your family’s safety.

Let’s explore the warning signs of panel failure, potential risks, and when to consider a professional electrical panel upgrade.

Why Your Electrical Panel Matters

The panel controls how electricity flows through your home’s electrical wiring, managing the electrical load from things like your air conditioning, microwave, lighting, smart devices, and even your plumbing and roof-mounted systems. A failing panel disrupts that flow, leading to power outages, safety hazards, or worse—fires.

Modern homes require more power than ever before, thanks to increasing demands from home automation, streaming internet services, and power-hungry appliances. If your system can’t keep up, it may be time to evaluate the ampere capacity of your panel and plan for an upgrade.

Common Electrical Panel Problems to Watch For

1. Frequent Breaker Trips

When the breakers trip often, your panel may be overburdened or failing to safely manage the flow of electricity. Tripping is designed as a fire safety mechanism, but frequent resets point to deeper electrical system issues.

Potential causes: Overloaded circuits, worn breakers, or aged components.

2. Burning Odor or Smoke

If you notice smoke, a burning odor, or see rust or scorch marks near your panel, it’s a red flag that electrical components may be overheating or arcing.

Risk: These conditions can lead to fires, home insurance claims, or, worse, a total loss if left unchecked.

3. Buzzing or Humming Noises

Your panel should operate silently. Strange sounds like humming or buzzing often stem from a failing circuit breaker, loose wires, or corrosion inside the bus bar or switches.

Risk: Arcing, overheating, and eventual system failure.

4. Outdated Brands Like Zinsco, Bryant, or Pacific Electric

Panels from brands like Zinsco, Bryant, and Pacific Electric have been associated with safety failures. Many of these older systems are no longer up to modern electrical code, and some have been involved in lawsuits due to hazard-related incidents.

Recommendation: These panels should be replaced immediately by a licensed electrical contractor.

5. Insufficient Power for Modern Living

Older homes often operate with 60- to 100-amp panels, which may not support newer electrical systems including home electrical upgrades, larger HVAC units, and the addition of EV chargers or data systems.

Solution: A modern panel from trusted brands like Eaton Corporation can provide 200 amps or more and support today’s power needs safely and efficiently.

Why You Should Schedule an Electrical Panel Inspection

A professional electrical panel inspection evaluates:

  • Wiring and breaker condition

  • Corrosion or metal fatigue

  • Signs of overheating or poor installation

  • Accessibility and compliance with electrical code

  • Compatibility with your home’s current and future needs

It’s a small investment that offers big returns in safety, efficiency, and peace of mind. In some cases, upgrades can even improve home insurance eligibility and rates.

When to Consider an Electrical Panel Upgrade

You may need a panel upgrade if:

  • Your home is over 20 years old

  • You’ve experienced unexplained power outages or flickering lights

  • You’ve added new lighting, appliances, or a finished basement

  • Your panel smells burnt, shows signs of rust, or contains obsolete brands

  • You want to prepare for emergency backup systems, solar, or smart home tech

Avoid the DIY Route: Trust a Licensed Electrician

Working with electricity and electrical systems requires deep knowledge of current codes, components, and safety practices. An untrained hand could worsen the issue or void your insurance policy. Always trust a licensed electrician or electrical contractor to perform repairs, upgrades, or inspections.

Choose Positively Charged Electric for Reliable Panel Services

At Positively Charged Electric, we specialize in identifying and resolving electrical panel problems before they become dangerous. Whether you need a panel inspection, replacement, or a complete electrical panel upgrade, our experienced team is here to deliver quality service with full transparency and a commitment to safety.

We work with industry-leading brands and follow all safety regulations—helping you protect your property, improve your electrical network, and prepare for whatever comes next.

Call us today at 720-327-4525 to schedule your panel inspection or learn more about your options for upgrading. Stay safe. Stay powered. Stay Positively Charged.