Having electricity at your home makes your life so much better. It allows you to enjoy your favorite television shows, prepare popcorn in the microwave, and keep your home comfortable and warm. You likely take your electrical panel for granted until something goes wrong. When this happens, you may discover that your electrical panel cannot keep up with your current electrical panel.
Upgrading to a 200 amp electrical panel might be a good idea. It will provide you with various benefits while making your system safer and more reliable. Should you switch to a 200 amp service? You’ll find out more about doing so below.
Electrical Panel & Amps
Your electrical panel box helps distribute power across circuits. Each panel will have a set capacity. That capacity should match your electrical needs. Most panels will range from 100 to 400 amps. As for older homes, it is common to find electrical panels ranging from 60 to 100 amps. Older homes needed less electricity so a lower amp rating was okay.
Since your household is going to be using more electricity, you’ll likely need a bigger panel with more capacity. Using an insufficient electrical panel will create numerous problems including fire hazards, problematic appliances, and more.
Upgrading To A 200 Amp Panel
By upgrading to a 200 amp electrical panel, you’ll receive a variety of benefits. Some of those benefits will be explored in greater depth below.
Increased Capacity
Consumers need to understand that electrical panels are usually designed to operate at 80% maximum capacity. Exceeding this limit will reduce the safety of your electrical system. With a 100 amp panel, you’ll likely only be able to use 80 amps. By upgrading to a 200 amp panel, you’ll be able to enjoy more capacity and safety.
Additional Circuits
Once you’ve upgraded to a 200 amp panel, you’ll be able to install new dedicated circuits too. This offers more safety since you’ll be able to install certain appliances on dedicated circuits. That can help prevent your breaker from tripping.
Preparing
Another thing to note is that your electricity demand is going to change. If you intend to have kids in the future, your household will use more electricity when the kids arrive. If you’re using a 100 amp breaker right now, upgrading is a good way to prepare for the future.
Better All-Around
Finally, you should know that a 200 amp panel is going to be better in all categories. It will perform better and it’ll be easier to configure. In addition to this, it’ll be more convenient to find compatible GFCI circuits.
When Should You Update?
- You need more capacity
- You wish to add a new room to your home
- You hear buzzing sounds
- You’re going to have children
