Does My Electrical Panel Need Replacing?
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Electrical Panel Warning Signs & Older Brands
Your electrical panel is where utility power enters your home and splits into the circuits that run everything inside it. Every breaker is a safety device that trips to cut power the moment a circuit is overloaded or faults. When the panel itself is damaged, overloaded, corroded, or past its service life, those breakers can't do that job reliably — and that's when repair or replacement becomes a safety decision, not just an upgrade.
Common Warning Signs
- Breakers that trip frequently or won't stay reset.
- A panel that feels warm to the touch, buzzes, or hums.
- Scorch marks, melting, or a burning smell near the panel.
- Rust or corrosion on the panel enclosure or bus.
- Breakers that are physically damaged or won't move.
- A panel that still uses fuses instead of breakers.
- Lights that dim when larger appliances start up.
- You're adding load — an EV charger, an addition, a shop — and the panel is full.
If you smell burning or see sparks or smoke, leave the area and call 911. For downed lines or utility issues, call your electric utility. Then call us at (817) 907-8797.
Older Panel Brands With Widely Reported Concerns
Some panel brands found in homes built roughly from the 1950s through the 1980s — such as Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco — have widely reported safety concerns documented by inspectors and electricians over many years. We won't tell you a panel will fail, because no one can know that about a specific unit without inspecting it. What we will tell you, honestly, is that if your home has one of these panels it is worth having a licensed electrician look at it. If you're unsure what brand you have, call us and we'll identify it for you.
When a Service Upgrade Is Needed
Sometimes the issue isn't a dangerous panel — it's that your panel simply doesn't have enough capacity for what you want to run. Adding an EV charger, a generator, an addition, a shop, or large equipment can push a 100-amp service past its limit. In that case the panel's amperage should be checked first, and a service upgrade (for example, 100A to 200A) may be the right call before adding the new load.
This guide is general information, not an inspection. Only a hands-on look at your panel can tell you for sure. Jim is a master electrician with 30+ years of experience, Texas Electrical Contractor License #33767, and offers free quotes.