Electrical panel upgrade Richmond Hill ON

Electrical panels, also commonly referred to as breaker panels, service panels, breaker boxes - this is the box attached to a wall that houses the circuit breakers. It acts like the "brain" of the house, providing power to different areas and appliances of the home, with the housed circuit breakers shutting off the power, or "tripping", whenever a circuit is overloaded (you'll likely have individual breakers for different areas of your home such as the laundry room, kitchen, etc.)

The questions we get most often are:

1) Should I upgrade to 200 amp panel?

Most modern homes and newly built property will already have a 200 amp panel. However, if you have inherited or purchased a property that was built half a century ago, then you might still be dealing with a 200 amp breaker panel.

In today's modern living, with higher tech appliances and equipment that require more power, or especially in instances where a dwelling has more than one resident family, you'll need to upgrade your electrical panel to 200 amp to minimize the chances of a circuit breaker tripping due to an overload in power demand, which would not be difficult in a typical home.

In larger homes and/or with dwellings that utilize electric heating, a 250 amp may be needed. Consult with your local electrician to see what would be the best option for your property.

2) How much does it cost to upgrade to 200 amp panel?

The pricing depends on whether you're looking at upgrading an existing electrical panel, or installing a brand new one for a new build, for example. In general, budget for between $2,000 to $3,000 or more, but contact your electrical contractor directly for a more accurate estimate.

3) How many breakers are allowed in a 200 amp panel?

The standard is 40 circuits in a 200 amp panel, but there is usually an option to install more circuits with tandem breakers. If your property demands enough power that you're looking to add a multitude of circuits, it may be time to upgrade to the next level amperage breaker panel.

4) When do we need to replace our electrical panel?

The typical electrical panel can last between 30-40 years, so if you know the age of the home and you know you have an original breaker box, you can do the calculation in your head to see if the time for a replacement is imminent. There are also some telltale signs that you'll need a replacement or an upgrade if you're experiencing increasingly frequent shortages or tripped breaker issues.

For the most reliable electrical panel upgrade or installations, consider calling our experienced licensed electrical contractor at Electricians Richmond Hill to expertly and professionally take care of your breaker panel needs, from getting the necessary permits to arranging for a final electrical inspection.