Electrical panels have been known by several names including electrical box, panelboard, load center, breaker panel, service panel, breaker box, main distribution panel, switchboard, or in older applications, a fuse box. This panel is the connection between the external wires coming from the street and the internal wires of your home's electric system.
The service panel is the central distribution point that connects the service wire or service drop — the main wire coming from the outside into the house — to the exit wires that split off and service different parts of the house. In single-family residences, the owner of the building owns the electric service panel, not the electric company. Thus, the owner is responsible for all issues related to the electric service panel.
Now, to get started let’s discuss brands of panels that need immediate replacement.
These were typically installed in the 1970s and are a known fire hazard. Zinsco panels have brightly colored breakers and are thinner than current ones. However, not all Sylvania and GTE-Sylvania branded panels are dangerous. So, if you have one, an electrician will need to inspect it to see if it has the problematic design.
Why they’re unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main “bus bar.” This means the breaker can’t trip, even when there’s a short or overloaded circuit. So, if there ever is a short or other problem, the surge of power melts wires and starts fires in your home. How to tell if you have one: The name Zinsco anywhere on the panel is a sure sign it should be replaced. Also, many GTE-Sylvania or Sylvania panels are simply rebranded Zinsco panels or contain the problem Zinsco design. These should also be replaced.
For a long time (1950s through the 1990s) Federal Pacific Electric was one of the most popular manufacturers of electrical panels in the United States. And they were installed in millions of homes. They contain breakers which do not trip, making this dangerous for all homes, because it does not prevent electrical overloads. These panels have been responsible for thousands of fires and a few deaths. Some of these panels were manufactured under the Stab-Lok name.
Why they’re unsafe: These electric panels’ circuit breakers fail to trip when they should (when there’s a short circuit or circuit overload). There are also many reports that the circuits in Federal Pacific Panel malfunction, and even in the off position, still send power to the circuit. This can cause electrocution when working on a circuit you believe to be off. How to tell if you have one: Federal Pacific panels are most common in homes built between 1950 and 1980. Federal Pacific Electric will likely be written on the cover of your breaker box. Inside, look for the name Stab-Lok (the brand name of the circuit breakers). If you find this on your panel, you need to call a certified electrician to get it replaced right away.
These were sometimes labeled as Zinsco, were produced in the 1980s and 1990s, and were widely installed in new construction. If your property is 30 to 40 years old, these may have been installed.
Why they’re unsafe: These also are known to cause fires, as this panel would overheat, and melt the circuits and panel. How to tell if you have one: To identify if you have a Challenger panel, open your panel cover. The black circuit breakers are labeled with Challenger. If you find this on your panel, you need to call a certified electrician to get it replaced right away.
If you don't have any of these panels, that is good news, but you could still need to begin looking into replacement if your panel is getting worn out or just getting old. Here are the other signs that it is time for a new electric service panel.
If your panel is 25-plus years old. The average lifespan for an electrical panel can range from 25 to 40 years. There is a wide range of variability due to several things, such as power surges, wear and tear, and manufacturer defect. Whatever the reason, an electrical panel that is over 25 years old can be a dangerous panel.
You should always be immediately concerned if your electrical panel has a burnt or burning smell in or around it. When panels fail, it can cause serious house fires that can destroy your entire property as well as your neighbors’ property, so it is no joke. Commonly, the burning smell will be either plastic or wood, as the plastic jacket of the electrical wire melts or the wood and insulation in your walls becomes scorched. If you smell these things, it is critical that you have your electrical panel replaced.
Chesapeake Electric has been providing electrical contracting services to the Annapolis area for over 10 years. If you need more power supplied to your home but your service panel isn’t up to the task, call 410-941-3573 for a complimentary consultation.
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