Circuit Breaker Box Rewiring Services in Massachusetts

Do Circuit Breaker Boxes Last Forever?

Circuit breaker boxes, also commonly referred to as electric panels, hardly need any maintenance to function properly. That doesn’t mean they’ll last forever, though. Materials degrade over time and depending on when your breaker box was installed, you could have components that were made with inferior materials compared to today’s standards. As a general rule, breaker boxes over 25 years old should be checked for safe operation, with the typical maximum lifespan of 30 to 40 years.

When Is It Time to Replace a Circuit Breaker Box?

Usually, when you have problems with your circuit breaker box, you’ll start to notice right away. Dimming lights when appliances are being used, arcing from outlets, noticeable rust on your panel, and strange smells or sounds are all common indicators that your breaker box is on its last leg. If you’re experiencing any or all these issues, your current box could become a real safety hazard and is best dealt with by an entire replacement.

From our experience, we typically recommend our customers replace their old breaker boxes when they are looking to renovate their home with new appliances, add an addition, or when you simply run out of room on their current panel. If you haven’t upgraded your service to 200-amp, you’ll likely run into issues with larger projects like tying in a new cooling system.