The electrical system is the heart of your home or business and should be cared for as such, always prioritizing the safety and efficiency it provides. Consequently, an electrical upgrade is often necessary to ensure these standards are met, involving the updating, modifying, or renewing of an entire electrical system in a residential property, commercial space, or distribution network.
In Western Canada, the harsh weather and older constructions make it even more important to keep an updated electrical system. Doing so helps guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, and provide protection against overloads.
In this post, we’ll break down the types, benefits and reasons why your system may need an upgrade.
Types of Electrical Upgrades
There are many kinds of electrical upgrades, from minor changes such as adding extra outlets, replacing traditional outlets with USB outlets, installing LED lighting, and many other small upgrades that make a big difference. When it comes to major changes, there are several options, but these are three of the most significant upgrades:
- Electrical Box Upgrade: The electrical box (also known as a junction box) is a smaller box that protects the circuits of the electrical system and safeguards exposed wires.
- Electrical Panel Upgrade: The electrical panel (also known as a breaker box or distribution board) is the main piece of your home or business. It distributes electricity and contains circuit breakers that cut off power if overloaded.
- Electrical Panel Upgrade 200 amp: A 200 amp electrical panel is used when it is necessary to increase the electrical capacity of a space without overloading the system. This is especially in areas with many electrical appliances such as big homes with large garages, pools, EV chargers, etc.
Why Do I Need an Electrical Upgrade?
Improvements such as replacing outdated cables with an electrical wiring upgrade, handling higher energy demands with an electrical service upgrade or improving your energy distribution with an electrical panel upgrade can help run an efficient and safe system.
Below are some of the main reasons why upgrading your electrical system matters:
- Safety: An outdated electrical system can pose risks to its users, from electric shocks to fires. Old wiring can overheat and cause a short circuit that sparks and leads to serious accidents.
- Costs: Faulty wiring can result in higher energy consumption, which wears out electrical components, shortens their lifespan, and increases utility bills.
- Energy Consistency: A stable power supply is essential in any space. At home, it ensures comfort and safety; in a business, it guarantees greater efficiency in operations.
- Regulations: In Western Canada, cities such as Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton are getting stricter electrical guidelines that must be followed by properties to avoid fines and future problems.
When Do I Need an Electrical Upgrade?
There are several signs that indicate when it’s time for an upgrade. Here are some of the most common ones; however, in this blog post you can also find more details about other top signs you may need an electrical upgrade.
- Fuses that blow constantly.
- Breakers that trip.
- Frequent flickering lights.
- Hot outlets.
- Burning smell around appliances.
- Tingling sensations on the skin when touching electrical devices.
- An electrical panel that still uses fuses instead of circuit breakers.
Conclusion
Whether for home or business, it’s important to maintain and keep your electrical system up to date. Upgrades from minor electric boxes to complete electric panels (like a 200 amp upgrade), modernize your system and ensure that your space is safe, that you are able to fulfill your energy needs and that you avoid expensive problems.
If you are located in Western Canada, the next step to take is to get in touch with the qualified professionals at Site Connect, who will be able to get out to you, take a look at your system and address all of your electrical needs.
