2) Your existing panel is rusted out or damaged. A safe enclosure is essential to protecting the circuit breakers inside the panel and the people near it. Each electrical panel is classified as either safe for outdoor use or indoor use only. If your outdoor panel is allowing water, high amounts of dust and debris or other unwanted elements inside then the circuit breakers are most likely getting damaged too. If this is your situation, it's a matter of time before you will be replacing it. If the damage is severe enough either APS or SRP will insist on replacement or they will disconnect your electricity for safety concerns.

3) Your existing panel has fuses in it. There is nothing wrong with fuses and in fact most commercial electricians say they provide better protection than circuit breakers. Many pieces of sensitive hospital equipment require fuses because they are not mechanically operated and cannot be jammed up or get stuck. The problem with fuses is they are a onetime device. Each time you "blow a fuse" you will need to replace it where circuit breakers are simply reset. Sometimes the sale of a home will require a new panel if the existing panel is a fuse box.

4) You need to replace the existing circuit breakers. In some cases it is cheaper to install a new service panel than to replace the old breakers. Models like Zinsco, FPE (also known as Stab-Lok) and Bulldog Pushmatic breakers are quite expensive and some are hard to find. Ask one of our residential electricians to advise you on pricing options.