What’s an Electrical Upgrade and does my home need one?

An electrical upgrade is when the outdated features of your home’s electrical system get upgraded and enhanced to accommodate today's modern power demands and current safety features. The basic idea of an electrical upgrade is replacing old hardware and updating outdated systems as well as making sure that your power is a modern 200-amp service. If your home’s electrical panel and fixtures haven’t been upgraded in the last 20 years, it is a good idea to bring in a licensed electrician to take a look and determine if an upgrade to your electrical service is in order. 

Why would my house need an electrical upgrade?

The amount of energy supply we need our homes to provide is exceptionally different than it was 40 years ago when many appliances were gas powered and technology didn’t exist like it does today. The current needs of many homeowners include powering hot tubs, AC units, home gym equipment, flat screen TVs, electric vehicle charging and home offices which all require much more power than had been needed by homeowners in the past. As we all come to rely more and more on technology, the electrical demand we put on our homes is increasing so we need to make sure that our electrical systems are ready to keep up with these changes. Now is a great time to assess the electrical needs and current safety of your home and consider bringing in a professional electrician to help you optimize what needs updating. 

How does an electrical upgrade enhance the safety of my home?

With the increased demand for electricity in our homes comes an increased need for reliability and safety. As part of an electrical upgrade, a review of the existing circuits and wiring methods can identify and correct safety violations. At the same time, modern safety devices can be installed to sense arcing and improperly functioning wiring and devices. 

In keeping with improved safety, the grounding system may be upgraded and replaced to meet current codes or laws governing electrical systems. Also, safety devices can be installed within the electrical panel to provide “arc fault” and “GFCI” protection, as well as lightning and/or surge protection.

Just like with today’s newer cars that have blind spot detection, backup cameras and automatic braking features as standard equipment, newer and more up to date electrical equipment can provide significant improvement in safety over the older systems installed in the past. So, we recommend that a qualified licensed electrical contractor review your homes electrical system and provide you with any recommendations for improvement. 

What does an Electrical Upgrade look like?

Typically, an upgraded service will not significantly change the layout or appearance of the electrical service. On the exterior of the house a new main cable is installed on the wall of the house, along with a new electrical enclosure to accommodate the utility’s meter. Inside a new electrical panel is installed which houses all the circuit breakers and provides the connection point for all the electrical circuits in the house. 

What are the warning signs my home might have an electrical problem?

Warning signs might include outlets that spark, breakers that trip often, flickering lights or discolored receptacles among other things. Other indicators that it is time to bring in a licensed electrician is if you have an old home that has not been recently updated or your electrical system is more than 20 years old. If you are concerned, the professionals at Keating Electric are always here to help inspect your home and bring it up to code.



We are professionals, here to help. 

If your home hasn’t been upgraded to a 200-amp service or you’re not sure, just give us a call. We at Keating Electric are here to help you assess the systems in your home, update any old or damaged hardware and install the equipment to provide an electrical service up to today's standards. It's as easy as making the call to speak with us today!