The real life of an electrical panel

The electrical panel is the heart of the entire electrical installation of a building. It is the starting point of all the circuits supplying all the rooms of a house. It plays an essential role in the power supply and safety of appliances and occupants. That's why it's important to make sure it's working properly all year long. But how long does this device last? What are the different components and when should it be replaced? Find out the answers in this article.

What are the main components of an electrical panel?

An electrical panel has many crucial components that will ensure the distribution of electricity throughout the house as well as the safety of the occupants and appliances. Here are the essential components found in an electrical panel.

Circuit breakers

These are the main elements that make up an electrical panel. They ensure the protection of the devices in case of overcurrent or short-circuit by cutting themselves automatically. You can then reset them to restart the current without having to replace them, unlike fuses. Several types of circuit breakers are available and play a different role.

For example, a thermal circuit breaker protects appliances from overcurrent or fire. A magnetic circuit breaker, on the other hand, is activated in the event of a short circuit and can handle a higher current. The thermal-magnetic circuit breaker is more complete as it fulfills the role of both thermal and magnetic circuit breakers.

The differential switches

These are devices that protect the occupants of a house from electrical shocks. It is necessary to have many GFCIs installed, since one does not cover the entire installation. For example, a type A ground fault circuit interrupter protects the stove, the hotplates or the washing machine.

An AC switch is used to protect lighting and electrical outlets. The Hpi type switch protects large appliances or computer equipment.

Lightning and surge arrestors

These are devices that protect the entire house from lightning. The lightning conductor is installed high up, usually on top of the house. It attracts lightning towards the ground, which protects the occupants and the appliances from a violent discharge. The lightning arrester, on the other hand, is installed in the electrical panel and channels the surges generated by lightning. This saves the electrical installations.

The electrical load shedder

It is a device that will automatically manage the power supply of the appliances in the house according to the power needs. For example, if you use an electric stove in winter, the load shedder will temporarily cut off the heaters to give full power to the stove.

The load shedder is practical in that you can save money on your bills. Indeed, you can subscribe to a subscription that is smaller than your normal consumption, and juggle the use of appliances to find the necessary power each time the need arises. This device can be cascaded, cyclic or a combination of both. The first type cuts off the power to the electrical circuits in a predefined order, while the second does so alternately, in a rotating manner. The third type is a combination of the other two types.

The off-peak contactor

This device installed in the electrical panel allows certain appliances to be operated at specific times. Generally, the off-peak contactor is used by those who opt for an off-peak/peak subscription. 

This way, you can program to use only the appliances that consume a lot of electricity only during off-peak hours, especially at night. This saves you money on your bills. Of course, this device is designed to interrupt this function and leave the appliances running in case of urgent need in the non-off-peak hours.

So how long does an electrical panel last?

It is difficult to determine the exact life span of an electrical panel. It depends on various factors such as the brand and quality of the components included in the panel. But generally speaking, the life of an electrical panel is between 20 and 30 years. 

Up to 20 years, you can be confident of the device's reliability. Between 20 and 30 years, you need to schedule more frequent inspections and maintenance. You should anticipate a full replacement between this age range.

When should I replace an electrical panel?

There are several reasons why you should replace your electrical panel well before its end of life. Here are the main ones.

When buying a new home

When you buy a house that has been lived in before, it is advisable to replace the electrical panel without delay. It is difficult to know the age and condition of the components inside. To be on the safe side, it is best to replace the entire panel to avoid problems when you move in.

If your home has an old electrical panel

If you have an older building, its electrical panel should also be dated. Most older homes have fuse panels that are obsolete. For added safety, it is imperative that you replace it with a more modern electrical panel with circuit breakers.

When the need for electricity increases

As time goes by, you are bound to buy new appliances. Your power requirements automatically increase with the number of new appliances. At some point, your electrical panel can no longer supply this power. You must replace it if it is not modular.

Update the panel according to the standards

Standards for electrical panels evolve regularly to ensure the safety of occupants and appliances in a building. Therefore, even if you have a fairly recent panel, it is possible that it no longer meets the latest standards. Thus, it is necessary to proceed to an upgrade by changing certain elements or by replacing it entirely if necessary.

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