If you still have a fuse panel in your home it might be time to swap it with a circuit breaker panel and join the rest of us in 2022. Just saying! But in all seriousness, fuse panels are far outdated and can pose some serious hazards to your home (and you!). Let’s take a look at some of the common questions we get from customers.
Q: Are fuse panels still legal?
A: No, per our electrical code electricians cannot install them today. However, our electrical code can’t force you to replace the one you have now. Your insurance company could make you. If you are having any other electrical work done that requires new wiring, the electrician doing it may require a circuit breaker panel to meet current code forcing a fuse panel replacement.
Q: Are fuse panels a fire hazard?
A: If used properly no. If used improperly, possibly. A big issue with fuse panels is some models allow a larger fuse to be installed in the place of a smaller fuse. This leads to interior wiring possibly carrying more current than it’s built to support, leading to a fire hazard.
We worked in a home where the owner replaced every fuse with a 30amp fuse. This was done years before us getting there and no fire had happened, yet. We ended up rewiring the house and the condition of the interior wiring was brutal. The insulation was completely cooked in some areas and missing in others. The owner was running a bunch of window air conditioners, drawing double the amperage the wiring could handle. Could this have eventually turned into a fire? I certainly imagine so!
Q: Will my insurance company still insure me with my fuse panel?
A: Most insurances companies will not insure a home with a fuse panel. We have replaced many fuse panels for just this reason.
Q: Can I add new circuits in my home using my fuse panel?
A: No, you can’t. New circuits require circuit breakers (and arc-faults for the most parts of a home). These modern circuit breakers cannot be installed within a fuse panel, meaning the fuse panel will need to be replaced with a circuit breaker panel.
Q: Does my meter socket need to be replaced if I’m replacing my fuse panel?
A: Fuse panels stopped being used within homes in the 1960’s. This means the rest of your electrical service (meter socket, outside overhead riser) is likely equally old. I would take a close look at the condition of the exterior service. If it’s in bad condition, I would replace it. If it’s not, you could consider keeping it and replacing the panel only.
Another thing to keep in mind is the overall amperage of the existing service. Many fuse panels are 60 amp. If yours is 60 amp, I highly recommend you explore increasing the overall service size to 100 amp or 200 amp. If your existing fuse panel is 100 amp, you might be able to get away with replacing the panel and keeping it at 100 amps. This will all depend on the future electrical needs of the home.
Q: If I’m replacing my fuse panel should I upgrade to a 200 amp service at the same time?
A: It will definitely save money in the long run. Let’s say you don’t upgrade the service and replace the panel only, at its current 100 amps. One year later you add central air and an EV charger. Guess what? That 100 amp panel can no longer support that electrical load. You now pay an electrician to replace that new 100 amp panel with a 200 amp panel! No one wants to pay twice, right?
If you are thinking long term investment, I recommend using the opportunity to upgrade the service to 200 amps.
Q: I can’t afford a 200 amp service now but need my fuse panel changed. Do I have any other options?
A: Yes! You can have your 100 amp fuse panel replaced with a 200 amp circuit breaker panel and fuse it at 100 amps. I use the term fuse which may sound confusing, but this means a 100 amp circuit breaker would be installed in the panel. This way the panel has a maximum amperage of 100 amps, but is in fact rated for 200 amps.
Down the road when you can afford to upgrade the rest of your electrical service to 200 amps, the panel is already done. You will not have to pay to have this done again.
This is an awesome approach if you cannot afford the 200 amp upgrade yet.
Q: Will I be without power while my fuse panel is being replaced?
A: Yes, your power must be turned off during the installation. In most cases we can setup some temp power and give you some extension cords to power your internet, fridge, etc.
Q: How much does it cost to replace my fuse panel?
A: Between $1,200 and $2,250 for most fuse panel replacements. The amperage of the panel and the number of fuses (circuits) will affect the overall cost.
Please let us know if there are any other questions you have related to fuse panels and we’ll add them in here.
If you need your own fuse panel replaced, please contact us for a free estimate today!
