Why should I upgrade my panel from fuses to breakers? (and spend $1200-$1500). It is already at 100 amps. I have copper wire.
2007-01-02 10:45:38 · 10 answers · asked by Canadian Wisdom 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Breakers are safer, much more reliable and can save a life if something fouls up. The question is then "how much do you value a life at?"
If it is just you lounging around your property then you probably don't have to stress too much cause you are not likely to do anything too dumb, but if you have kids over who stick a knife in a power outlet or a guest who drop a hair dryer into the bathtub full of water, then circuit breakers are going to be the best damn investment you have made in a while.
Just my thoughts....
2007-01-02 10:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by darklydrawl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A breaker box should not cost near that price..
$200 max at Lowes or other hardware stores.
Plus cost per breaker which would be around $10
If you have 100 amp service already nothing else needs changed....$600 tops for an electrican to do it
2007-01-03 03:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by Sam H 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it isn't broke don't fix it. As long as you are comfortable with the system, it doesn't make sense to replace it. Personally I prefer fuses over circuits. I have seen too many circuit breakers fail and cause fires. Most fires caused by fuses is by stupidity. People placing a penny behind the fuse instead of replacing it.
2007-01-02 12:41:53 · answer #3 · answered by gacohio@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
GFCI is an important feature missing from the traditional fuse panel. You can always use ground-faulted receptacles, but that does not account for other systems in GF prone areas. As mentioned before, the cost is inflated, but many jurisdictions require that all electrical work be done by a licensed electrician (and have permits). If you are comfortable with electrical work, it would be worth doing yourself. Otherwise, at least replace some receptacles for safety.
2007-01-02 11:32:20 · answer #4 · answered by Richard G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if things are that old maybe its not the panel that is the importaint thing to upgrade as much as the entire house wiring itself, how old is that? Wiring goes bad eventually, the reason to spend money on that ? Well have you ever seen what happens in a housefire? you lose like possibly everthing which by comparision the investment isnt such a bad deal
2007-01-02 11:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by scottc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bottom line? You should not spend that much $ ka-ching $
100 amp breaker panel with a good asst of breakers included is less than $200.00 Way to high on the labor cost.
2007-01-02 11:08:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you do not having any problems, there is no real reason to convert over. Sure, you can reset a breaker for free and you have to buy a new fuse, but that doesn't justify $1200 to $1500.
2007-01-02 10:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by bearcat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answer # 3 "Darkly" Has it right, But it really shoulden't cost that much. It's a safety issue. Thats the whole reason for the conversion from the start.
2007-01-02 13:10:28 · answer #8 · answered by . 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No reason to what-so-ever. some day, you won't be able to buy fuses, but you might already be dead by then.
2007-01-02 10:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shut up. Work for it.
2007-01-03 02:42:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋