An Electric Service Upgrade is a Complex Job: Call DMG Electric Inc. Electricians for Help!
Many people in live in homes that were built more than 35 years ago, which means that many of these homes have electrical systems that were not built to handle today’s electrical needs. This makes an electric service upgrade not only desirable, but a safety necessity. An obsolete home electrical system trying to handle modern electricity needs is not just inconvenient for home owners who constantly struggle with flickering lights, tripping breakers and too few outlets for too many modern appliances—it can be downright dangerous. Electrical fires account for almost half of the home fires in the United States in any given year, which adds up to over 26,000 fires, $1 billion in property loss, as well as hundreds of people killed and thousands injured.
An electric service upgrade to increase the amount of power coming into the house is a big job that requires professional help from an experienced team of electricians.
Call DMG Electric Inc. right away if any of the following apply to your home:
- The lights constantly flicker anytime we turn on a major appliance
- The circuit breakers often trip, and fuses blow
- The electric panel overheats
- If your electric panel is a Zinsco, Federal Pacific, I-T-E Pushmatic, or GTE/Sylvania brand, you definitely need an electric panel upgrade. These panels were recalled years ago for severe safety defects.
- You have to use a lot of extension cords, or don’t have enough outlets to power all of your appliances.
- Your home has several two-pronged outlets (3-pronged GFCI, or “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets are required in new homes as they protect people from getting shocked).
- You have recently installed air conditioners, heat pumps, or any other large appliance that draws a lot of electricity.
- You have added a new office, workshop, finished basement or other areas to your home.
What an Electric Service Upgrade Involves:
A complete electrical service upgrade to your home is a complex job that, for safety and quality reasons, requires an experienced electrician. It usually involves upgrading electrical service in the home to 200 amps, which is the standard in today’s homes. In some cases, however, an upgrade to 400 amps or more may be necessary.
An electric service upgrade normally involves the complete replacement of electrical service around the house. This includes the line side service entrance cable, meter base, weather head, load side service entrance cable, the grounding and bonding system, and, of course, the electric panel itself. Sometimes, we are able to update the electrical meter and the new electric panel in their original locations, if the layout of the house has not changed much over the years. This situation is generally easier and costs less.
