Old electrical wiring does not stand the test of time, and when it comes to updating a home, a fuse box upgrade is a must. Your fuse box, also known as an electrical service panel, is the backbone of your home’s wiring. In some cities including San Antonio, Texas the electrical code requires for updates to be administered before a house can go onto the market. Regardless if there are electrical codes or mandates, if your electrical wiring is experiencing the following symptoms it could be time for a fuse box upgrade.
Mid-century fuse boxes were typically designed with a 60-amp capacity. Modern homes use about three times more amperage than their predecessors. Individuals and families have more electronic devices such as laptops, blow dryers and more televisions per home than the past drawing on more electricity. If your fuses are blowing on a regular basis it might be a warning that your system is being overtaxed by your family’s electrical needs. The blown fuses are a sign that you need a fuse box upgrade in San Antonio.
Typically in older homes, the 60-amps of electricity was divided amongst four fuses each with a 15-amp capacity. Fuses are color-coded depending on their capacity. These electrical fuses become harder to find, and the fuses that are on the market are the old surplus that has broken down over time. The fuse availability makes it difficult to properly keep a conventional fuse box maintained. Fuse replacement also gets dangerous because if the wrong fuse is used in a fuse box, it could heat up and potentially cause a fire hazard.
If lights dim in your home when multiple electrical appliances are in use, it is a sign that there is a shortage of electricity leading into your home. If too many electrical appliances are switched on at the same time it could result in a short circuit.
Other signs you may need a fuse box upgrade for your home included burned connections and corrosion. Corrosion will wear down and restrict electrical connections making it harder for electricity to travel through the fuse box. The restriction in flow will cause the service box to heat up.
