4398 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
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An electrical panel is essential for every home or business that wants to have electricity. Electrical panels not only distribute electricity throughout your house or business but they also protect it from electrical hazards. Electric panels, over time, often need to be upgraded or changed to keep up with technological changes or when the electrical needs change, for example, when there are additions or a remodel to your property.
Whether you are making plans for a kitchen remodel or other large changes to your home or business, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel to accommodate new appliances, fixtures, machinery, or lights. Quite often this is necessary if your house or business location is older or your home doesn’t comply with up-to-date code standards.
When it comes to electrical circuit panel box changes or installations, not every job is the same.
Some electrical panel jobs may entail large undertakings while some may just be minor electrical tasks but whatever they may be, the standards and guidelines within the National Electrical Code and the California Electrical Code must be followed.
For example, if a home is under construction or an old panel box is being replaced, one of the first things that need to be considered is the location and accessibility of the panel boxes. Once this is determined, wherever the location of the panel is, there must be three feet of clearance directly in front of it.
The circuit breaker panel box should be waterproof and must be at least 4 feet but no more than 6 feet off the ground and there must also be approximately 30 inches in width and 72 inches in length of space around breaker locations from the ground up. This allows people in wheelchairs to access the breaker box.
Furniture and other large objects should not be placed in front of the panel so that it can be easily accessible in case of an emergency.
The regulations also state that the installation and connection must be grounded and contain neutral terminals.
Another very important rule that Allspark Electric follows is the labeling of circuit breakers. This is not optional and ensures proficiency, safety, and compliance. Labeling the circuit breaker panel box also makes life easier for homeowners, electricians, and emergency personnel.
The National Electrical Code and California’s Electrical Code are strict guidelines that Allspark Electric knows and follows – we know them almost by heart.
Working with an authorized and experienced electrician like Allspark Electric is critical when upgrading your electric panel. If we find inadequate or not up-to-code issues with your panel, we will bring them to your attention and suggest how they can be improved effectively and efficiently. Our team can also suggest the proper electrical panel type for your property, considering factors like the size of your house, the number of circuits you need, and other electrical needs.
In addition to a kitchen remodel, there are other reasons to may want to upgrade or repair your electrical panel. If you are experiencing everyday circuit breaker trips, or your lights flicker while they are being used, you may need an electrician to do some testing to see where the problem may be. Another sign that you may need your panel checked by a licensed electrician such as Allspark Electric, is if you are using too many extension cords or power strips throughout your home or business. Too many extension cords or power strips can cause unintentional electrical fires.
At Allspark Electric, we know the importance of having a reliable electrical panel – it’s essential for everything electrical in your home or office. We offer complete electrical panel improvements, replacements, and upgrades. Our team will discuss with you your specific needs and then discuss what are the best electrical changes in order to meet them.
As we embrace clean electricity and move away from fossil fuels in California, more and more homeowners are thinking about electrification. To prepare your home or commercial business for all-electric appliances, heat pumps, solar panels, and EV chargers, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel. While there are ways to accommodate an all-electric home on a 100A panel, older electric panels should be inspected prior to converting to an all-electric home, and a replacement or upgraded panel may be necessary to protect your home and appliances.
If you’re planning to make the switch to an all-electric home, having your electrical service panel inspected and upgraded is an essential first step. Upgrading your electrical panel and wiring will help ensure a smooth transition away from fossil fuels, help reduce the risk of fire and other safety hazards common with older panels and prevent damage to new all-electric appliances.
Allspark Electric is familiar with not only the electrical code for the state of California, but we also know each city’s electrical code standard for every location they work in. Therefore, we will always deliver up-to-date code requirements for every home, office, or commercial business location where we work. We will ensure that every electrical panel job is installed properly and up to current code requirements.
In addition to electrical panel upgrades, we offer panel inspections and testing to discover any capacity issues before they end up being larger problems.
When searching for a reliable electrician, call us at (408) 840-5423. We are specialists in electric panels, EV chargers, troubleshooting and fixing electrical problems including indoor and outdoor lighting, and also hot tub wiring!
