An older electrical panel deserves a condition assessment, especially before adding an EV charger, electric appliances, or remodel circuits. Age or a brand name alone does not tell the whole story of an installation.
What deserves attention?
Recurring breaker trips, visible damage, scorching, unusual heat, or a burning smell warrant attention. Do not remove a panel cover, touch damaged equipment, or repeatedly reset a breaker that keeps tripping. If there is smoke or fire, move to safety and call emergency services.
What about Federal Pacific equipment?
Our earlier article included a failure percentage that we could not substantiate. We have removed it. The CPSC’s published Federal Pacific investigation summary describes certain test failures but explains that its investigation closed without a determination about the safety of the breakers. A qualified electrician should assess the specific equipment and installation.
Inspection, capacity, and next steps
We can review the panel’s visible condition, circuit arrangement, available capacity, and your planned loads. The findings help distinguish a repair, circuit addition, subpanel, or service upgrade. A panel replacement does not automatically require a larger service, and a larger service is not automatically the right answer for every home.
If an insurer has requested documentation, share its written requirements. The insurer decides coverage; an electrical report cannot guarantee approval. Learn about panel assessments and upgrades in Covina or request a visit.