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Upgrading a 1950s Electrical Service

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

May 29, 2003

Q. I own a house built in the 1950s. My electric service must be updated, and I have no idea what this entails. I am a senior citizen and a widow, and any information, even a general idea, would be most helpful. -- D.W.S., Huntington

A. This is not a job for a do-it-yourselfer or an amateur. Replacing or upgrading your service panel is a job for a licensed electrician, and the completed work must pass at least one inspection.

"All work has to pass a certified test from a state licensed agency," says Walter Tigar, general manager of Wanerka Electric in Bohemia. Depending on the town, Tigar says, the job likely will require a permit and an inspection by the local building department, too.

With the increased popularity of computers and video and audio equipment, many newer homes are designed with 200-amp service. According to the National Electric Code, minimum residential electric service is 100 amps. (Amp is an abbreviation for ampere, the unit of measure for the flow rate of current; the higher the amperage, the higher the flow rate that the electric panel will accommodate.) The National Electric Code is a guideline for electricians, electrical contractors, engineers and inspectors. In most cases, the manual sets minimum standards and requirements.

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While I don't doubt you need to have your electrical service updated, I wonder how outdated your panel is. If you answer yes to these two questions, then your panel probably is seriously outdated:

Are your outlets two-pronged?

Do you have to replace fuses in your panel?

One of your first steps should be to find an experienced, licensed and reputable electrician or electrical contracting firm. Ask neighbors or family members for references. Over the years, there's a good chance someone close to you has needed to hire an electrician. In addition to having your electrical service updated, consider having some new outlets installed. Up until about 1950, most outlets had two-pronged receptacles. In the 1960s, grounded (three-pronged) outlets began to be installed and are now mandatory. In kitchens and bathrooms, GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupters) should be installed. GFCI outlets are safety devices that turn power off to a circuit when a voltage leak is detected.

It is the responsibility of the electrical contractor to make sure the work will pass inspection and meet all building codes. This is not an inexpensive proposition. According to some electrical contractors in your area, upgrading a residential electrical system to the 100-amp minimum can cost from $800 to $1,000. For 200-amp service, expect to pay almost $1,600. Replacing outlets or adding GFCI outlets can run an additional $50 to $65 each.