Just read a report that 70% of electrical fires in older homes start at the panel

I was looking through some NFPA data from last year for a safety class and that number really jumped out at me. It specifically cited loose connections and outdated equipment in panels over 20 years old as the main culprits. How often are you guys actually recommending full panel upgrades versus just fixing the immediate issue?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade_singh18d agoMost Upvoted

Did you catch that IEEE study from last year showing most panel failures start with just one loose screw? I heard a master electrician say on a podcast that a full swap is usually the smart play once you find any signs of arcing or heat damage in there.

anna_fox71mo ago

Had my old panel swapped after an electrician found melted insulation on a loose breaker, no regrets spending the extra cash.

the_jana1mo ago

You mentioned "no regrets spending the extra cash" on that panel swap. Did the electrician give you a specific breakdown of what was actually wrong with the old panel, or was it more of a general safety recommendation? Because I'm trying to figure out where the line is between a simple fix and a full replacement.