Electrical Panel Upgrade: Neatness Counts

11/14/2016

At CWC Electric, LLC, our electricians take pride in the quality of their workmanship. The final make-up of an electrical panel tells you a lot about the person who performed the work. Is it neat, orderly and professional? Or is it sloppy, messy and looks unprofessional? Both may work so why does it matter? It's simple, a well organized panel makes future troubleshooting and maintenance simpler and safer.

This electrical service had already been upgraded to a 200 amp service previously by the homeowner. Why did it require an additional upgrade?

The amperage of an electrical panel refers to the electrical capacity of a building, which is governed by the main breaker. Larger amperage increases electrical availability throughout the building. This particular home had enough amperage with a 200 amp panel but did not have enough circuit spaces within the panel.

Electrical panels vary in the number of circuits spaces contained in each panel. A specialty panel, such as used in a barn or other outbuilding, may only contain 12 circuit spaces. Most 200 amp panels used in modern homes contain anywhere from 20 to 60 spaces. The typical home panel contains 40 circuit spaces.

In the "before" picture of the electrical panel shown above, the 200 amp panel had 30 circuit spaces while the home had 46 seperate circuits. When there are not enough circuit breakers to accommodate each separate circuit, a homeowner may use tandem breakers, which are not unsafe.

When a panel becomes extremely crowded a homeowner may resort to a "double tap" where two circuits are landed under one breaker. In most instances a "double tap" does not conform to the National Electrical Code, is considered unsafe and will not pass a home inspection.

Under the National Electrical Code, there is actually a "box-fill formula" as to how many wires and circuits can be contained in a panel to regulate heat dispersion and to facilitate proper maintenance.

Has your panel kept up with the electrical needs of your home? If not, call CWC Electric, LLC at 785-215-8775 to discuss what may be needed to bring your home in line with modern day electrical demands.

21 Comments

Peter link

4/23/2019 02:51:57 pm

This is so satisfying seeing the after picture, makes my ADD so happy to see this.

Adam Golightly link

4/13/2021 03:59:22 pm

I can see how a business could really benefit from getting the right kind of electrical panels in order to be more effective. Making sure that they can get it upgraded by a professional could allow them to be more efficient. It was interesting to learn about how they can also upgrade the capacity of the building with the right kind of availability throughout the building.

Chris Pederson link

4/15/2021 06:27:44 pm

I had no idea that the number of circuit spaces on a panel depends on the type of building that it is for. Having more spaces could mean more outlets and places to have electronics. I'd like to get a bigger panel but I know I couldn't do it on my own.

TSCA Electrical Supply link

7/27/2021 07:07:14 pm

It really interests me to read such articles, thanks for sharing. Blogs like yours and https://tsca.com.ph really helps me learn more day by day.

Best Access Doors link

10/7/2021 07:04:09 am

This is well worth a read. You presented great insight and information. Thanks.

Access Doors and Panels link

10/7/2021 07:14:31 am

I like the helpful info you supply for your articles. Thanks for sharing a smart thought.

Mia Evans link

1/3/2022 07:31:44 pm

Thanks for pointing out that electric panels can vary in the number of circuit spaces used in each of them. With that in mind, I really need to hire professionals now that we need a circuit breaker panel installation for the house that we bought. It's to upgrade every part that needs it before moving into the property for the safety of my kids and I, since we will settle there permanently.

Jeff Carbine link

1/28/2022 11:00:16 pm

I found it interesting when you said the number of circuit spaces present in an electrical panel varies. I used to think differently about it not until you explained it briefly and it really got my attention. What you said about the electrical panels was really interesting to me.

https://www.electriciansouthauckland.kiwi/ link

3/2/2022 08:48:35 pm

Cool! It makes all the difference in the world. One of the etiquette of a professional electrician is tidiness.

Millie Hue link

5/31/2022 12:53:35 am

It's interesting to know that electrical panels would have a different number of circuit spaces. In that case, it would be best to have a professional over at our place to check what we need. It's because we already need a residential electrical panel upgrades for our safety, since this house that I inherited is even older than me and so as most parts of it.

Victoria Addington link

5/31/2022 12:56:42 am

It captivated me the most when you mentioned that a double-tap is deemed unsafe and won't be allowed in a home inspection. My husband wants us to upgrade our electrical panel since it's becoming crowded. I should advise him to look for an electrician that is an expert in electrical panel upgrades.

gainesville-electricians.com link

6/15/2022 07:51:46 am

Safety should never be compromised. Always check electrical panels for everyone's safety. The safest way is to ask professional electrician about your electrical problems.

William Gregory link

6/19/2022 09:17:04 am

It is amazing how you fix those electrical wires turning into a very neat and organized electrical panel. Nice work!

Emergency Electrician link

9/5/2022 08:47:18 am

A well organized panel makes future troubleshooting and maintenance simpler and safer.

Zachary Tomlinson link

9/27/2022 03:20:36 pm

I never knew that a crowded electrical panel could make it hard for your household to control the power that goes inside it. I like how you explained that having an electrical panel replaced can boost your home's efficiency while protecting it from electrical issues. I should keep this in mind if I end up owning a countryside home someday.

Eli Richardson link

12/5/2022 03:18:28 pm

My wife and I are interested in renovating our house next month, and we think that its electrical panel needs upgrading too since our lights dim from time to time when we plug in other appliances. We're glad you described electrical panels and their circuit spaces, so we'll keep this in mind when we speak with an electrician this week. Thank you for the information on electrical panels and how a house should have 40 circuit spaces.

Orange County Electricians link

1/12/2023 01:53:35 am

True enough, keeping things neat and tidy in your electrical panel is important for both safety and efficiency. Nobody wants a panel that's so crammed full of wires and breakers that it becomes a fire hazard.

Craig

3/14/2023 07:01:26 pm

Not to pick on the before and after pictures but the true before picture would be an open panel with all the branch circuits still on the breakers. and yes it was probably a mess, but this before picture is staged to make it look much more sloppy , to the homeowner checking out these pictures, a panel never looks like this with all the circuits off of the breakers, I especially like the bushed down feeder conduit that starts at, looks like 2" and bushed down to maby 1 1/4 with a plumbing fitting
The after picture a nice job but doesn't show the top of the panel and all the branch circuits entering the panel and that's what the customer can see and would it have taken a lot of extra time to finish painting the back board

crowe electric link

3/17/2023 08:40:28 am

Let’s face it, the main advantage of having your electrical panel replaced is the increased safety it provides. If there is a malfunction in the operation of your electrical panel, it can cause an electrical fire, which has the potential of destroying your entire property.

Jim Thomas link

4/27/2023 02:52:58 am

Thank you for your informative blog post on the importance of neatness when upgrading electrical panels. I completely agree that a neat and organized electrical panel not only looks better but is also safer and more efficient.

As you mentioned, a cluttered panel can lead to confusion and difficulty identifying circuits, potentially causing safety hazards or tripping breakers. Additionally, a disorganized panel can make future maintenance and repairs more difficult and time-consuming.

I appreciate your emphasis on the importance of hiring a professional electrician for any electrical panel upgrades. An experienced electrician can ensure that the panel is installed properly and neatly, minimizing the risk of future issues and maximizing the efficiency of the electrical system.

Thank you again for sharing your expertise on this topic. Your commitment to neatness and safety in electrical work is commendable and important for the well-being of your clients and their homes.

Jim Thomas link

5/19/2023 02:11:30 am

I recently read your blog post titled "Electrical Panel Upgrade: Neatness Counts" and I wanted to express my appreciation for sharing such valuable insights and emphasizing the importance of neatness in electrical panel upgrades. Your article highlights the significance of maintaining a clean and organized electrical panel, and I found it to be informative and well-written.

You did an excellent job of explaining why neatness matters when it comes to electrical panels. A neatly organized panel not only ensures easy access and maintenance but also enhances safety by minimizing the risk of errors, such as crossed wires or loose connections. Your emphasis on following industry standards and best practices in electrical panel upgrades demonstrates your commitment to quality and professionalism.

I appreciated the practical tips you provided for achieving a neat electrical panel upgrade. Your recommendation to label circuits and organize wiring in a clear and logical manner not only makes it easier for electricians to troubleshoot and perform future maintenance but also helps homeowners understand and navigate their electrical systems. The use of cable ties, wire management accessories, and properly sized conduits further contributes to the overall neatness and functionality of the panel.

Furthermore, your mention of potential issues that can arise from a disorganized or messy panel, such as difficulties in identifying circuits or increased fire hazards, underscores the importance of prioritizing neatness during an electrical panel upgrade. By addressing these concerns, you provide homeowners with a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of a clean and organized electrical panel.

Your commitment to professionalism and attention to detail are evident throughout the article. Your advice to consult a licensed electrician for electrical panel upgrades ensures that homeowners receive expert guidance and expertise to ensure a safe and efficient electrical system.

Electrical Panel Upgrade: Neatness Counts

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