Older homes are beautiful and often full of timeless architecture and character that simply cannot be replicated in modern homes. Though structurally, you’ll likely want to hold on to the past when it comes to your old home, you’re going to want to bring its electrical components into the future. One of the most important things you can do for your home’s safety is to upgrade your fuse box and replace it with a breaker panel.
At Penfold Electric, we have helped countless customers make their homes safer and more aligned with modern best practices through installing circuit breakers in their homes. We often get asked questions about how to upgrade your fuse box from customers who want to understand why the upgrade is important. In this post, we outline what you should know about fuse boxes and why you should consider upgrading your fuse box system as soon as possible.
Ready to bring modern-day electrical into your home? We can help. Contact us today to discuss your electrical service panel upgrade and let us help you make your home safer, more reliable and easier to understand.
How Does a Fuse Box Work?
If you’ve recently purchased an older home you may have been surprised to find a fuse box instead of a breaker panel. Fuse boxes were phased out in the 1960s though are still present in some homes. Fuse boxes often look complicated with wires seemingly everywhere and it can be hard to know what to do when a fuse blows. Unlike breakers which can be flipped on and off, fuses need to be replaced when they are blown. Fuse boxes work by blowing, rather than tripping when a circuit overloads which in turn helps to prevent electrical fires. Though fuse boxes can sometimes work very well, they are an indication of old and outdated electrical equipment and will likely signal that electrical updates are necessary.
How to Change a Fuse Box to a Breaker Box
If you’ve lived in a home with a fuse box for years you are likely familiar with replacing fuses. As you have familiarity with the system, you may be wondering if it is possible to change a fuse box to a breaker box on your own. From time to time, we get asked about DIY options regarding how to replace a fuse box with breaker panel at home. Though in theory, you could potentially replace your own fuse box, we do not recommend DIY electrical projects. For your personal safety and for the safety of your home it is always a good idea to have a certified and licensed electrician complete electrical work within your home. By having a professional complete this job you can feel assured that it has been done to code and that your home will be safe shoddy electrical work.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Fuse Box?
Hiring an electrician to install a circuit breaker is a smart choice but the cost is always a consideration. Many of our customers ask us, how much to replace fuse box with breakers or how much to upgrade a fuse box within their home. The cost of upgrading your fuse box to a circuit breaker can vary based on the size of your home and the type of circuit breaker you are installing. We would be pleased to provide you with a quote based on the unique circumstances of your home. In many cases, the cost of replacing a fuse box will be between $1600-3400.
Can I Fix My Old Fuse Box?
If you’re experiencing issues with your fuse box you may be wondering if you can simply repair it rather than replace it with a more modern circuit breaker. Before considering fixing your fuse box you’ll want to consider how long does a fuse box last. In most cases, a fuse box can last beyond 25 years. That may sound like a long time but considering that fuse boxes began being replaced with circuit breakers in the 1960s your fuse box is likely quite old. If you are wondering how to fix a fuse box as it relates to replacing a fuse, you likely won’t have issues with this. But, if you are experiencing more serious electrical problems such as a broken fuse box, you’re likely going to need to replace the fuse box with a circuit breaker.
Holding onto the original features of a home is important to many who own a century home. But there is no good reason to hold onto outdated and potentially dangerous electrical equipment. We understand that upgrading to a circuit breaker can be a substantial expense. Know that by upgrading you can ensure your home is up to code making it safer and more convenient for you to operate as a homeowner.