There are several benefits of upgrading your electric service...

​

#1. Safety - As with all circuits, the larger the conductor, the safer it is to carry the same load.  Large loads on small wires produce more heat than the same load on a larger wire.  Too much heat on wires over periods of time can lead to all types of problems.  Larger conductors mean less heat produced which means not only are you less likely to have an electrical fire but you are less likely to experience break down of insulation and loose connections.

#2. Increased demands - Many homes in New Jersey were built in the 1950's and earlier when the average family did not have a lot of electrical appliances in their home.  Today, the average family uses a plethora of electrical appliances from cell phone chargers to microwaves.  Hair dryers, curling irons, space heaters, toaster ovens, and printers are all appliances that use a lot of power and may not have been in mind when your home was designed.  

#3. Installing central air - If you never had central air and are planning on installing a new system, ask your HVAC contractor if now is a good time to upgrade.  Central air conditioning condensing units (the outside component that includes the compressor) use a lot of power and may put too much strain on your existing service.  This is a great time to budget this into your project.

#4. Adding an addition - Putting an addition onto your home will increase the square footage of your house which means you will definitely need more power for extra lighting and receptacles.  Plan ahead and have plenty of power available for your project.

#5. Resale value - Not only could having a 200 amp service instead of a 100 amp service be a good selling point, but upgrading now could save you a headache later.  When a home inspector for your potential buyer evaluates your home, the electric service is one of their focal points.  Wouldn't you feel better knowing that your service is adequate and up to code?

#6. And many more...

​

Here are some common signs that your service is too small...

​

#1.  You still have fuses in your home - like the ones pictured to the left.  Although many people will argue that fuses are still safer than circuit breakers, you need to replace them.  The problem with this old style of "Edison base" fuse is that they are way too often mis-used.  Just because a 15 amp, 20 amp, and 30 amp fuse all fit in the same socket does not mean that they should be there.  JUST BECAUSE IT WORKS DOESN'T MEAN IT'S RIGHT!  Using improperly sized fuses is a very common danger caused by uneducated home owners.

#2.  Visible signs of heat damage on your service wires - If you can see visible signs of heat damage (discoloration of the conductors' insulation or jackets, blackened or melted connections) on the wiring entering your home, it is time to upgrade now.

#3.  Tripping breakers - If your main breaker has tripped, you should have the size of your service evaluated.  Even if your individual branch circuit breakers are tripping, you should still have a licensed electrical check it out.

#4.  You have a Zinsco, Pushmatic, or Federal Pacific Electric panel - These brands commonly found in New Jersey are know to be unsafe and should definitely be replaced.  Check out our link - 

​

Upgrading your service may not fix these problems...

​

#1.  "When I use the blow dryer while the microwave is on, the breaker trips." You still may want to consider a service upgrade, but this is a tell tale sign that you have an over loaded circuit.  Adding a new dedicated circuit for heavy loads is the best way to solve this problem.  You may need a larger panel if you do not have any spare circuits available, but upgrading your service alone will not solve this issue.

#2.  "My lights flicker every time the air conditioning kicks on."  

Again, you still may want to increase the size of your service, but this is usually a sign that you have an overloaded circuit or a loose connection.  If this is the case, a service upgrade alone will not fix this problem.  Either way, you should have this checked out by a professional.

​