10 Signs Your Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade Before It Fails
Tacoma’s First Choice for Electrical Work
A Homeowner’s Guide from Skipper and Sons Electrical Services in Lakewood, WA
Your home’s electrical panel is the heart of your entire electrical system. It distributes power, protects your circuits, and ensures everything from your refrigerator to your EV charger runs safely. But like every major home system, electrical panels age—and when they do, they start giving off warning signs long before they fail.
At Skipper and Sons Electrical Services, we help homeowners throughout Lakewood, Tacoma, Auburn, and the surrounding areas stay safe with reliable electrical inspections, panel upgrades, and electrical service repairs. If you’ve noticed unusual behavior from your electrical system, this guide will help you understand whether it’s time to upgrade or replace your panel.
Here are the 10 most common signs your electrical panel needs an upgrade, before it becomes a serious safety risk.
Call (253) 317-58651. Your Breakers Trip Frequently
One occasional breaker trip isn’t a major concern, but if your breakers trip every week, or even every day, your panel is likely overloaded.
In older Lakewood-area homes (especially those built before the 1990s), electrical panels were never designed to handle today’s power needs. Between EV chargers, gaming systems, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and modern kitchen appliances, the demand on your circuits may be more than your panel can safely deliver.
Frequent breaker trips are a red flag that your panel is struggling to keep up, and ignoring it can lead to overheating or even electrical fire risks.
2. Flickering or Dimming Lights
If your lights flicker every time an appliance kicks on, like your dryer, heat pump, or microwave, it’s usually not the bulb.
This is often caused by voltage drops inside an overloaded or outdated panel. When the system can’t maintain steady power for multiple appliances at once, the lighting circuits are the first to show symptoms.
Homes adding new electric devices, like space heaters or portable AC units, may notice this even more during winter and summer.
3. Burning Smells or Scorch Marks
A burning smell around your panel is an immediate emergency.
This could indicate:
- Burning insulation
- Overheating wires
- Loose breaker connections
- Internal arcing
- A breaker failing to trip under load
If you notice heat, discoloration, or a burnt odor near your electrical panel, do not wait. Shut off power if safe to do so and call Skipper and Sons Electrical Services for immediate assistance. These issues can escalate quickly and pose a serious fire risk.
4. Your Electrical Panel Feels Warm to the Touch
An electrical panel should never feel warm. A warm or hot panel cover is a sign of:
- Overloaded circuits
- Failing breakers
- Corrosion inside the panel
- Loose bus bar connections
Heat means the panel is reaching unsafe operating temperatures. This is one of the most overlooked early warning signs—and the one that homeowners often ignore until the problem becomes significant.
5. Buzzing, Crackling, or Humming Sounds
Your electrical system should be silent. No buzzing. No sizzling. No humming.
These sounds usually indicate arcing, when electricity jumps between loose or damaged connections. Arcing is extremely dangerous, often caused by:
- Faulty breakers
- Loose wires
- Corroded components
- Worn-out bus bars
If you hear unusual noises from the panel, it’s telling you something is wrong internally.
6. Rust, Corrosion, or Moisture Around the Panel
Here in Western Washington, moisture is a constant challenge. Basement humidity, garage dampness, and crawlspace condensation can all affect your panel.
Moisture leads to:
- Rusted panel covers
- Corroded breaker connections
- Oxidized wiring
- Increased resistance and heat
Any sign of rust or water damage requires professional inspection. Moisture compromises electrical safety, and in many cases, replacing the panel is the safest option.
7. You Have a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger Panel
If your home has one of these older panel brands, replacement isn’t just recommended—it’s critical.
⚠ Federal Pacific (FPE) Panels
Known for breakers that fail to trip up to 70–80% of the time, creating a severe fire hazard.
⚠ Zinsco Panels
Breakers often melt into the bus bar, making them unable to disconnect during overloads.
⚠ Challenger Panels
Historically known to overheat and fail, even under normal loads.
These panels were once common in Lakewood and Tacoma homes, and many are still in use today. Insurance companies often refuse coverage for homes that still have them.
If you’re unsure which panel you have, Skipper and Sons Electrical Services can identify it for you during an inspection.
8. You Still Have a Fuse Box
Fuse boxes were state-of-the-art in the 1940s–60s, but they weren’t designed for modern life.
They lack capacity, available space, and the level of protection demanded by today’s electrical codes. Even worse, many homeowners replace blown fuses with higher-rated ones, which can lead to overheated wiring.
If your home still uses a fuse box, upgrading to a modern breaker panel is one of the best investments you can make.
9. Your Home Doesn’t Have Enough Amperage for Modern Living
Older homes often have 60-amp or 100-amp service, but today’s homes—especially those in Lakewood adding EV chargers or heat pumps—typically require 150 to 200 amps.
You may need more amperage if you’ve added:
- An electric vehicle charger
- A hot tub
- A tankless water heater
- A new HVAC system
- An in-home workshop
- Additional kitchen appliances
If you frequently lose power when using multiple appliances, upgrading your panel can eliminate this problem.
10. You Rely on Power Strips and Extension Cords
If every outlet in your home has a power strip attached, it’s not just an organizational issue—it’s a capacity issue.
Not enough circuits = not enough available power.
Not enough available power = an overloaded panel.
A panel upgrade allows your home to support more dedicated circuits, increasing both safety and convenience.
Why Electrical Panels Fail
Your electrical panel may need upgrading due to:
- Age (over 25–30 years)
- Increased electrical demand
- Moisture damage
- Corrosion
- Faulty installation
- Outdated breaker designs
- Code changes
Many homeowners never think about their electrical panels until something goes wrong, but early signs can prevent dangerous situations.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel
Upgrading your panel offers major advantages, including:
✔ Improved Safety
Modern breakers trip correctly, reducing fire risks from overloads and short circuits.
✔ More Capacity
Support for EV chargers, heat pumps, and modern appliances.
✔ Better Home Value
Electrical upgrades are one of the strongest selling points for buyers.
✔ Lower Insurance Risk
Some insurers may decline coverage for outdated panels.
✔ Peace of Mind
With a modern panel, your home’s electrical system is safer, stronger, and future-ready.
What to Expect During a Professional Panel Upgrade
Homeowners are often surprised by how straightforward the process can be. Here’s what Skipper and Sons Electrical Services typically does during a panel upgrade:
- Inspect your existing panel and electrical system
- Determine the correct amperage and capacity needs
- Coordinate utility shutoff (if needed)
- Replace the panel and breakers
- Reconnect circuits safely and cleanly
- Install surge protection if requested
- Perform thorough testing
- Bring your system up to current code
- Restore power and verify functionality
Most panel upgrades take one day, depending on the complexity of the home’s wiring.
Keep Your Home Safe With Skipper and Sons Electrical Services
If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs—or if your panel hasn’t been inspected in decades—it’s time to schedule a professional evaluation.
At Skipper and Sons Electrical Services, we’ve built a reputation in Lakewood, WA for honesty, reliability, and top-quality electrical workmanship. Our licensed electricians can assess your panel, explain your options, and recommend the safest solution for your home.
Ready to Upgrade or Inspect Your Electrical Panel?
Contact Skipper and Sons Electrical Services today to schedule your electrical panel inspection or upgrade in Lakewood, WA, and the surrounding areas.
Your home’s safety depends on it, and we’re here to help.
Call (253) 317-5865Our Service Areas
All Service Areas