60A to 100A Electrical Service Upgrade

All the benefits of getting a 60 Amp to 100 Amp Electrical Service Upgrade

Remove Limitations:

Improved electrical capacity – A 100 amp panel provides more electrical capacity than a 60 amp panel. This means you can power more appliances and devices in your home without overloading the system. The biggest problem with overloading an electrical system has to do with the ratings and the capacities of the wires and their connections. When equipment is only rated for 60 amps and is subjected to a higher ampacity this can generate a large amount of heat which can lead to an electrical fire. Upgrading an electrical system to allow for today’s increased demand for electricity is especially important when considering the age of the existing electrical wiring in place.

Get a Electrical Service Upgrade for Safety:

Upgrading from 60 Amp to 100 Amp will significantly help reduce the risk of electrical fires. Electrical fires can occur due to overloaded circuits, which can happen if your panel is not rated to provide enough power for your needs. With a 100 amp panel, you can reduce the risk of overloading circuits and prevent electrical fires. It’s important to understand that when an electrical system is overloaded a significant amount of heat will be produced.

Newer Appliances:

Upgrading a panel from 60 Amp to 100 Amp will give you the ability to accommodate newer and larger appliances, equipment, and devices. Newer appliances often require more power than older ones, and a 60 amp panel may not be able to supply enough power. For example, most air conditioners will draw upwards of 15 amps, and a common hot tub will frequently draw around 45 amps. Upgrading to a 100 amp panel means you can accommodate newer appliances without needing to worry about overloading the system. Going even further than 100A for your electrical service is sometimes also necessary but a professional electrician can help consult with you for that decision.

Return on Investment:

Many clients will consider upgrading from a 60 amp electrical service panel to a 100 amp electrical service to increase the value of their home. Upgrading your electrical panel can increase the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers if you plan on selling in the future. It is very common in the negotiations of the home buying process that a 100 amp electrical service upgrade will be required to complete the sale. When a home has an existing 60 amp electrical service many new home buyers will shy away from this as they understand it is a large scope of work to undertake. 

Insurance Savings:

Upgrading your electrical service can potentially lead to lower insurance premiums due to reduced risk of fire or electrical damages. Upgraded electrical systems are more reliable and less prone to malfunction, which can lead to lower claims payouts for insurers. Further on this, newer electrical systems may also include safety features such as circuit breakers instead of fuses, which can also help prevent electrical fires.

So how should you know if you have a 60 Amp Panel?

Here are some steps to help you determine if your electrical service is 60 amps:

• Locate your electrical service panel in your home. The electrical service panel, also known as a breaker box or fuse box, is typically located in the basement or stairwell. Usually this panelboard is just inside the home where the outside electrical meter is located.
• Visually check the main switch or circuit breaker. The main switch or circuit breaker is usually located at the top or bottom of the panel, by itself with 2 breaker handles linked together. It should be stamped with the amperage rating of your service. Look for a label that reads 60 amps, which indicates that your electrical service is 60 amps. By the same stretch if it says 100, then you have a 100A service. There is no math or adding of numbers involved in this process.
• Check the electrical meter box outside. The electrical meter is typically located outside your home, where the power lines connect to your house. A good indicator of a 60 amp service is if the electrical box holding your electrical meter is in the shape of a 6-8 inch diameter circle. These circle enclosure boxes are no longer permitted to be installed by the electrical code. Keep in mind the digital meter provided by the utility company is always circular, but we are referring to the metal box base for the meter.

Let’s get it taken care of! If you are unable to determine the amperage of your electrical service, it’s best to consult a licensed electrician. They can inspect your electrical system and provide you with an accurate assessment of your electrical service amperage rating, and a plan to make it safe.