Are you planning on completing major renovations in your home? If so, there’s a chance that you may need to upgrade your electrical panel to keep up with the electrical needs of your home. This is especially true for anyone who is adding an addition to their home or significantly increasing the number of appliances and lighting fixtures in the home, such as in the case of adding a rental unit. When it comes time to upgrade your panel, you may wonder, do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel? In Ontario, the answer to this question will always be yes.
At Penfold Electric, we have helped countless customers upgrade their electrical panels and understand the process of obtaining permits for this work. Though it may be tempting to skip out on permits to save money, they are important to obtain and should never be overlooked.
In the case of panel upgrades, you will require an electrical inspection permit before work takes place. In this post, we answer common questions about residential electrical service panel upgrades to help you understand when you might need one and how you can go about having yours upgraded.
Why Do Permits Matter?
Though you might think that obtaining a permit is just a money grab for municipalities, the reason why they are required is a good one. Permits, and in some cases, the inspections that come with them, help to protect you from potentially unsafe construction or electrical work in your home. Many factors are considered when it comes to approving permits, and their goal is to protect individual homeowners and communities. In most cases, you won’t have an issue with obtaining a permit for an electrical panel upgrade, though it is still important that you go through official processes to do so. In many cases, your electrical contractor can assist you in obtaining the appropriate permits.
How Can I Know When It’s Time to Upgrade My Electrical Panel?
Large-scale home renovations may be one of the most obvious times to upgrade an electrical service panel, though there are other instances where an upgrade may be needed. If you live in an older home that has a fuse box, are having issues with breakers tripping, or are noticing that your lights are flickering regularly, it may be time to upgrade your electrical panel. Our post, When Should You Upgrade Your Electrical Panel, offers additional insight into knowing when you should consider a service panel upgrade.
What Size Should My New Electrical Panel Be?
The standard electrical panel size for modern homes is 200 amps. If you live in an older home, upgrading to a 200 amps panel may be just what you need. However, there are many factors that can influence the size of the electrical panel you will want for your home. The electrical usage needs of your home are the most important thing to consider when upgrading your panel, and for some homes, electrical panels that go beyond 200 amps could be required. Our post, What Size Electrical Panel Do I Need, provides helpful tips, though speaking with a licensed electrician is likely your best option when determining what your home will require.
Can I Upgrade My Electrical Panel on My Own?
If you are the type of homeowner who enjoys DIY projects, you may want to know can a homeowner replace electrical panel without an electrician? Even if you think you know how to do it, you should never attempt to replace an electrical panel on your own. Your electrical panel has components that are always live unless disconnected by the utility provider. Attempting to work on your panel is incredibly dangerous and should never be attempted.
Always contact a licensed electrical contractor company when looking to complete panel upgrades. At Penfold Electric, our team of certified electricians would be pleased to help you with your service panel upgrade and have the skills and experience to get it done right. Connect with us today and get the panel upgrade you need to keep the electrical components in your home operating effectively. You can expect tenfold from Penfold Electric.