Do I Need a Permit to Upgrade My Electrical Panel in Newton, CT?

Do I Need a Permit to Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

Are you noticing flickering lights, or do your appliances frequently overload your electrical circuits? If yes, you might wonder, “Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel?”

With a team of the most skilled electricians in Newtown, CT, Gabe’s Electrical Services provides the following advice about when and how to upgrade your electrical panel. We aim to ensure your home’s electrical systems are both safe and adequate for your needs. Keep reading to learn more, or give us a call today!

Call (203) 994-4154

How the Electrical Panel Works

Your electrical panel regulates the electricity coming into your home and how much it disperses to each outlet. When the electricity enters your home from the utility company, it first enters the electrical panel.

Like a switchboard operator for a telephone, the electrical panel determines which outlets require power and how much they can handle without overloading. The outlet then sends the electricity back, creating a loop.

The panel usually contains a circuit breaker, which shuts off the circuit from the power source if it detects electrical problems like an overload. If you have an inadequate system, you’ll notice these circuits tripping more often than normal.

Signs You Need a New Electrical Panel

If you search, “Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel,” you should first determine whether you need a new panel. Let’s review the most common signs you need a new electrical panel.

Bad Smell At The Electrical Panel

A burning smell is the most common sign you need a new electrical panel. It likely means you have a problem with one of the circuits or a poor connection.

Don’t underestimate the severity of this issue, as it poses a serious safety risk and fire hazard. Call a certified electrician for emergency service and use your electricity as little as possible.

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights don’t usually occur, but if it happens frequently, you likely have a loose connection in your electrical panel. While rare, your lights can flicker from poor amperage regulation, especially if they dim when you turn on an appliance like a toaster or microwave. 

Upgrading Appliances

If you upgrade your appliances, they likely require more power. If you have an older electrical panel, it won’t deliver the higher amperage your new appliances require for full functionality. An electrician can help you determine how much power your new panel needs.

Excessive Power Strips

Have you plugged a large number of power strips into your outlets in an attempt to power all your devices? While using many power strips isn’t always a safety hazard, an older electrical panel will work overtime to deliver the necessary power. If you upgrade to a more powerful model, you’ll experience fewer power failures.

Do I Need a Permit to Upgrade My Electrical Panel In CT?

If you wonder about permit requirements for electrical panel upgrades, consider that it’s not something you need to worry about. If you’re not an expert in electrical safety, you should leave replacing the electrical panel to the experts. As part of our services, we help obtain the Newton, CT, electrical permit.

You’ll also gain several benefits when you hire a professional, such as the following:

• Streamlined permit process: The process of obtaining an electrical panel upgrade permit requires both paperwork and patience. However, when you work with an electrician, they’re familiar with the paperwork and often maintain good relationships with the permit office. This means they can obtain a permit more quickly than most homeowners, and they can help you fill out the paperwork without frustration or confusion.
• Electrical code compliance: Renovating and remodeling your home always comes with codes and rules set by local, state, and federal governments. Electrical panel upgrade regulations are no exception, and many homeowners find these guidelines confusing and difficult to navigate. When you hire an electrician to replace your electrical panel, you’ll save significant time and stress trying to interpret and comply with regulations.
• Safety assurance: When you try upgrading your panel yourself, you likely don’t know all the electrical panel safety standards. Not only can this put you at risk of severe injury (or worse) during the upgrade process, but it can also put your home at risk of future issues, like fires. A professional can install the panel without issue, keeping you and your home safe for years to come.

Let Gabe’s Electrical Services Replace Your Electrical Panel

Now you know the answer to, “Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel.” Whether you need help upgrading your panel or replacing your electrical outlets, Gabe’s Electrical Services offers reliable and professional service. We’re passionate about keeping your lights on.

To schedule an appointment give us a call today!

Call (203) 994-4154