5 Signs Your Electrical Panel in Lewistown Needs an Upgrade

Your electrical panel is the “heart” of your home’s electrical system—it routes power safely to every circuit in the house. In older homes around Lewistown and across Mifflin County, panels often weren’t designed for today’s loads (EV chargers, mini-splits, high-efficiency appliances, home offices). Knowing when to upgrade can prevent nuisance tripping, power loss, or safety hazards. (See our service page for how we approach panel upgrades.)

What does an electrical panel do, exactly?

Your panel receives electricity from the utility and distributes it to branch circuits through breakers. Breakers are designed to trip when a circuit draws too much current, protecting your wiring and devices. If the panel is undersized, outdated, or damaged, it can’t reliably protect the home. Our Electric Panel Installation or Upgrade page explains the basics and when upgrades make sense.

What are the top signs I need a panel upgrade?

Here are five common red flags we see in and around Lewistown:

1. Frequent breaker trips or “random” power loss.
   If you reset breakers often—especially when using the microwave, hair dryer, or window AC—your panel may be at capacity.
2. Fuses instead of breakers.
   If your home still uses a fuse box rather than circuit breakers, it’s time to modernize. Our service page specifically flags fuses as an indicator for upgrading.
3. Panel age: 25+ years.
   Panels don’t last forever. Older equipment can be less reliable and may not meet today’s safety standards. Our service page highlights 25 years as a practical threshold to consider upgrades.
4. Visible wear, rust, buzzing, or heat.
   Corrosion, scorch marks, warm cover plates, or buzzing could signal loose connections or internal damage that needs professional attention.
5. You’ve added major loads.
   Renovations, finished basements, mini-split systems, hot tubs, well pumps, or EV chargers can overwhelm older panels. If you’ve upgraded your lifestyle, your panel likely needs to keep up.

Is it risky to delay an upgrade?

Yes, it can be potentially risky to delay an upgrade. Outdated or overloaded panels increase the chance of nuisance tripping and can, in worst cases, raise fire risk if heat and resistance build up at weak points. If you notice burning odors, scorching, or the panel feels hot, turn off affected circuits and call a licensed electrician.

Why is this common around Lewistown?

Lewistown is a historic borough and the county seat of Mifflin County, situated along the Juniata River. Many local homes were built decades ago—long before modern appliance loads and electronics—so electrical systems may be undersized for today’s needs.  As the region continues to modernize (State College corridor influence, home offices becoming more common, comfort upgrades for modern living), panel capacity often becomes the bottleneck.

What size panel do I need?

Most modern single-family homes use 200-amp service as a comfortable baseline, but it truly depends on your connected loads (HVAC tonnage or mini-splits, electric range, dryer, water heater, EV charging, workshop tools). During an assessment, we’ll calculate your load and discuss future plans so you’re not upgrading twice.

Will I need permits and inspections?

Yes—panel upgrades should be permitted and inspected for safety and code compliance. As your local licensed electrician, we handle the process and coordinate the cutover so downtime is minimized and everything is buttoned-up when the inspector arrives.

How much does a panel upgrade cost in Lewistown?

Costs vary based on:

• Existing service size and location
• Whether we’re replacing the meter base and service conductors
• Grounding and bonding upgrades
• AFCI/GFCI requirements and surge protection
• Complexity of the cutover and any needed repairs

We provide site-specific quotes after inspection so you know exactly what’s included—no surprises. (You can request a quote right on our site.)

What about whole-home surge protection?

Today’s electronics are sensitive. We often recommend adding a whole-home surge protector at the panel to protect appliances, HVAC, and sensitive devices. It’s a modest add-on that pays for itself the first time it intercepts a surge from a storm or utility event.

Do older fuse boxes or small breaker panels still “work”?

Sometimes—but “working” isn’t the same as working safely or meeting your lifestyle. Fuse boxes aren’t designed for modern loads or convenience; and as circuits get added over time, DIY fixes can multiply. If you’ve got fuses, double-tapped breakers, or a crowded panel with no spare capacity, it’s a strong signal to plan an upgrade. (Our When To Upgrade guidance calls out fuses and older equipment specifically.)

What’s the process if I upgrade with Lewistown Electric?

1. On-site assessment & load calculation
2. Scope & options (service size, breaker types, surge protection, future-proofing)
3. Permitting & scheduling
4. Cutover day (safe temporary power plan if needed)
5. Inspection & cleanup
6. Walkthrough of new panel labeling and maintenance tips

Serving Lewistown and Mifflin County

As a Lewistown-based team, we know the local housing stock and permitting landscape. We proudly serve homeowners across Lewistown, Burnham, Yeagertown, Reedsville, Belleville, McVeytown, McClure, and surrounding communities in Mifflin County—plus nearby counties as listed on our site. (See our Electric Panel Installation or Upgrade page for more.)

Ready to talk through your home?

If your panel is showing its age—or your breakers keep tripping—let’s take a look and give you a clear plan. We’ll size your system, future-proof for things like EV charging or mini-splits, and handle permits and inspection.

To learn more about our approach, visit our Electric Panel Installation or Upgrade page and our Blog for related topics.

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Lewistown Electric — Your Local Electrical Experts