Fuse Box Upgrade to Circuit Box (Service Upgrade)

The fuse box is where all your electrical power is distributed from in your home. If a fuse fails, it must be replaced for the electrical power to be distributed to the electrical component in your home. Fuse boxes are generally installed in older homes.

A fuse box that has exceeded its life expectancy or has not been maintained properly can create a serious safety issue. The signs that the fuse box may need repair or upgrading to a circuit panel box are the need to frequently replace fuses that have blown out, wiring may have become loose over the years, or the wiring insulation may be worn or torn and is contacting the ground. A licensed electrician should inspect the fuse box to avoid the risk of fire.

If your home has a circuit box panel and you are adding equipment that exceeds the load the existing circuit box panel can distribute, our licensed electricians can replace or perform a service upgrade to provide you with the proper circuit box panel that meets your homes new power needs. The upgrade of a fuse box might also be to comply with codes and increase safety measures. 

If any of these conditions exist, please contact State-Wide Electric to review your options and needs.

Fuse Box Upgrade Considerations

Electrical upgrades are rarely a simple job. Fuse box systems may be grandfathered in, which means that elements of the system may not necessarily need to meet current building codes. If you start to replace any part of these grandfathered structures, the entire system will need to be reassessed and redone in order to meet existing codes. This could push a simple project into more complex and expensive territory. Here are a few considerations when opting for a fuse box upgrade.

Replacement in Wiring & Insulation

The switch from fuses to breakers may also signal a replacement in your wiring and insulation. Upgrades tend to spread. So, changing all of the important elements in your electrical system may be the best plan overall. But it is important to turn to professional for wiring and panel upgrades, since this type of work requires the skills of a licensed electrician.

Size of Incoming Service

It can be helpful to find out the size of the incoming service. You might need to call the local utility company first while also arranging to have the incoming service upgraded. This change will alter the wiring coming into your home. What this means is that the replacement breakers will not match the existing fuse sizes. Get the service upgrade done first to ensure your project runs smoothly and efficiently.

Check Main Disconnect

When opting for a fuse box upgrade, we will have a look at your main disconnect. We will check to see if the fuses need replacement. However, if the main fuses can remain, then the supplies and installation are fairly simple. The cost for this service will depend on the size of the system, the current conditions and the geographical area. The cost can climb when the main disconnect fuses also need to be changed, along with much of the existing system. All aspects we will look at when providing a fuse box upgrade.

Break Panel Installation

Some of these upgrades require the installation of a breaker panel with plenty of extra room. We recommend investing in a larger 200-amp panel for better long-term durability. Life today requires more devices and appliances, so equipping your home to deal with them is a smart decision.

Fuse Replacement

Some of the fuses in the existing box will need to be replaced by double pole breakers. This product provides the power required for larger appliances, such as stoves, driers and more that may have been equipped with two cartridge fuses.

In Conclusion

In the end, you will run into various challenges and decisions when going through a fuse box upgrade. First of all, you must decide whether the upgrade is necessary. If you decide to invest in the benefits that modern circuit breakers deliver, then it is imperative to find out whether the system has been grandfathered. This will help you decide how far to spread the upgrade, from the main disconnect to the wiring and insulation. Then, you will need to hire a professional and have them look after all of the electrical upgrades at once, for optimum safety and reliability. Turn to State-Wide Electric for those services today and get a fuse box upgrade you can trust.