Jacksonville Electrical Panels 

The licensed electricians at Bolt Electric provide installation, repair, and replacement of electrical panels in Jacksonville, NE Florida, and the First Coast. If you have an old, outdated electrical panel or an unsafe panel made by Federal Pacific Electric or Zinsco, we can replace it with a new panel that will provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity for your home. 

Contact Bolt Electric today at (904) 977-5454 for electrical panel replacement. 

Unsafe Electrical Panels 

Older electrical panels may be unsafe or unable to keep up with the electric demands of modern households. If you live in an older home, your panel was manufactured at a time when houses had less demand for electricity — people didn’t have the large, energy-hungry appliances and electronics we have today.

Consider upgrading the electrical panel when:  

• The panel is more than 25-40 years old
• Breakers trip frequently 
• The panel is rusted 
• You don’t have enough electrical outlets 
• There is a burning odor near the panel
• Lights flicker when something is plugged in
• The panel is hot to the touch 
• Outlets spark when plugging something in 
• You have an old fuse box with fuses instead of circuit breakers 

The manufacturer of your panel can influence the decision for replacement, even if it appears to be working. Homes built before 1990 may have substandard panels made by Federal Pacific Electric or Zinsco. Federal Pacific Electric panels will have the name on the cover or Stab-Loc on the inside. The Stab-Loc breakers are prone to failure and may cause in electrical fires. 

Zinsco panels have been found to have a design flaw that results in the circuit breakers melting to the main bus bar. This prevents the breaker from tripping and can lead to an electrical fire. Zinsco panels are also manufactured under GTE Sylvania or Sylvania. If you see any of those names on your panel, it is best to have it inspected and replaced. 

How Often Should I Have My Electrical Panel Inspected?

Here are some general guidelines to help you determine how often you should have your electrical panel inspected:

• For Newer Homes: If your home is relatively new and your electrical panel is in good shape with no apparent issues, you can get it inspected every 5 to 10 years. These inspections can be fairly infrequent if everything seems fine.
• For Older Homes: If your house is older and the electrical panel has seen some wear and tear, it's a good idea to inspect it more often, around every 3 to 5 years. Older panels might struggle to keep up with modern electrical demands.
• Signs of Problems: If you notice any warning signs of electrical trouble, like flickering lights, breakers that keep tripping, strange buzzing noises, or odd burning smells from the panel, don't wait – get it inspected right away, no matter when the last one was.
• Changes in Usage: If you've made significant additions or changes to your home that put more strain on your electrical system, consider having the panel inspected to ensure it can handle the extra load.
• Local Regulations: Check with your local authorities because some places might have specific rules and codes that require more frequent inspections.
• Safety Concerns: If you're worried about the safety of your electrical system, or if you experience frequent power surges or outages, don't hesitate to schedule an inspection as needed.

Regular inspections can go a long way in preventing problems, enhancing safety, and extending the lifespan of your electrical panel and system.