Electrical Panel Installation and Repair Northern Virginia

Top Reasons You Might Need a New Electrical Panel

There are many reasons why you will need to replace your current electrical panel.

Recalled Electrical Panels

If your home was built or upgraded 20 years ago you may have a hidden danger within your home. There are some circuit breaker panels that have been recalled due to failures that have resulted in fires and electrocutions. Some of the more notable recalls have been issued for panels manufactured by Federal Pacific, Challenger, and Zinsco. Sometimes these problems are only identified through an electrical inspection that was ordered by insurance carriers or real estate transactions. Little’s Quality Contracting recommends having a periodic electrical safety inspection that will make sure your system is code compliment and in good working order.

House Remodeling & Renovations

If you’re getting ready to remodel your home chances are your project will require some electrical work for new outlets, switches, lighting, ceiling fans, appliances, and HVAC components. A number of new branches and circuits may be required and circuit breaker panels or sub-panels will need to be upgraded with new breakers. In addition, you may require a heavy up to provide enough electricity. Call Little’s and we can help you with your project.

HVAC System Installations

When it’s time to upgrade your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to your home you may need to upgrade your electrical system.

Adding an Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

In order to install an EV charging station, you may need an electrical upgrade that includes a new breaker box. more information

Electrical Backup Generators

Electrical backup generators are a popular upgrade in our area because of the frequent and lengthy power outages we incur. Installing a new generator will require a new panel to automatically transfer power using a transfer switch. more information

What is an electrical panel?

An electrical panel is a metal container with a door usually mounted in the wall of some hidden area. Inside you’ll find all your circuit-Breaker’s, switchable by flipping up its handle and letting it auto-shutoff if there isn’t enough power left for whatever reason – this includes running out entirely or having too much voltage hitting them at once! The main breaker controls electricity throughout homes entire building so that every room has its own individual supply from here down through outlets near sinks & other important amenities

Different Types of Electrical Panels

Main Electrical Service Panel

A main electrical panel is where the wires from the electrical meter or main lug connect to your home’s electrical system. The main service box will contain the main breaker which will cut off the power to all the other circuit breakers in the box. Some homes may have more than one main panel. This equipment should only be installed and serviced by a licensed electrician and permits should be obtained when required.

Sub Panels

A Subpanel is a different type of box that is connected to the main panel. Installing a sub-panel happens for a number of reasons. If the main panel has run out of room for additional breakers adding a sub-panel can solve this situation and give you more space to add additional circuit breakers.

Subpanels are also used to branch circuits to another area of the home. Rather than running every line back to the Main panel, a sub-panel can save money by ultimately using less material and labor. It also comes in handy to have the ability to shut off power to a sub-panel without affecting the rest of the home. When adding to your electrical system you can count on littles to provide experienced guidance and recommendations.

Transfer Switches

A transfer switch is a device that switches electrical circuits, it allows electrical devices to be connected to either the main power source or an alternate power source. It’s a great backup option for homes and businesses during electrical blackouts. A transfer switch does not provide an electrical power source but instead transfers the electrical current from its normal supply point to electrical equipment when there is no primary electrical power being supplied. In other words, this secondary power will kick in if the primary one fails.

In case of emergency situations such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, having a reliable backup plan could mean the difference between life and death. Having an electric generator would come in handy at times like these because you could operate

Fuse Boxes

A fuse box is an electrical panel in which electrical circuits are split up into smaller electrical circuits so that if one electrical device trips a breaker or shuts off, only the electrical devices connected to the same fuse box will stop working.

Fuse boxes can also be called electrical panels, circuit breakers, and electrical switches.

A modern electrical system may have many fuse boxes, with each serving a separate area or room of a building.

How does an electrical panel work?

Circuit breakers will shut down if they are overheating. This safety system protects electrical devices from faulty appliances. If these circuits fail they could ignite a fire or electrocute someone. All circuits are controlled by one circuit, and each circuit corresponds generally to one room in the home. Some appliances and home mechanical units are power-hungry such as electric stoves and air conditioning units and may require their own electrical breaker.

How to locate your panel?

Electric paneling is a metal package with greyish color. These are typically placed within walls. The electrical panel has doors (and that must be true of course). Behind your door are numerous wires and switches — these switches are your breakers. Electric paneling usually takes its place outside of your residence. In most basements – storage room, laundry room, garage – an electronic panel will be installed on top. Sometimes the old homes have windows that have no window or doors so that the door can be seen outside it. The best place to find the panels is inside an apartment near the entrance or in the bedroom behind the doorway.

Tell me the life expectancy of electrical panels?

It seems that electrical panels last for as long as houses do, but that is not always correct. If cables are loose and operating near capacity or exceeding their capacity could shorten its life. When a hot climate occurs, the electrical panel may corrode. Dust is known to reduce the life span of a switch and the circuitry of a switch. Electric panel life spans from about 20-30 years. Those can last as long as 50 years when properly maintained. It is possible that a panel needs reinstallation soon based on electrical requirements. For example, adding hot tubs, pools, or some other high-energy installations.