Is Your Electrical Panel Safe or Up to Code in Metairie?

Let’s talk panels—not the kind in your living room, but the one hiding behind a metal door, quietly powering your entire home. If you’re living in Metairie and wondering whether your electrical panel is truly safe or even up to current code, you’re not alone—and you’re right to ask.

Homeowners often forget about the panel until something flickers, pops, or trips. But that gray box in your utility room, garage, or hallway holds the key to your home’s electrical safety. So if you’re asking yourself, “Is my electrical panel up to code?” or “Should I be worried about it?”—keep reading.

Why Panel Safety Matters in Metairie Homes

From the charming bungalows off Bonnabel Boulevard to the mid-century ranches near Veterans, Metairie homes come with character—and sometimes character comes with quirky wiring.

Older electrical panels, especially those installed before the 2000s, may not meet today’s safety standards. Some brands are even known for dangerous design flaws. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s a real issue we uncover regularly in homes across neighborhoods like Bridgedale and Lakeview.

An outdated or overloaded panel can cause:

• Breakers that trip for no reason

• Dimming lights when you use appliances

• Overheating wires behind your walls

• Serious fire risk if left unchecked

Bottom line? If your panel hasn’t been inspected in a while, it’s worth taking a second look.

Signs Your Electrical Panel Might Not Be Up to Code

Not sure what to look for? Here are a few signs that might mean your panel needs attention:

Your Panel Looks… Vintage

If it’s got a yellowed plastic door, loose wires, or brand names like Federal Pacific or Zinsco, it’s likely outdated and potentially unsafe.

Breakers Trip All the Time

Sure, breakers are designed to trip for safety—but constant tripping is usually a sign that your panel is overworked or poorly wired.

You’ve Added New Appliances

Did you upgrade your HVAC, add an EV charger, or renovate your kitchen? More appliances mean more demand—something old panels weren’t built to handle.

There’s Rust, Buzzing, or Burning Smells

This isn’t normal. These are urgent warning signs that your panel may be overheating or failing internally.

What It Means to Be “Up to Code”

Electrical codes aren’t just red tape—they’re there to keep homes safe. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is updated every three years, and Louisiana follows those updates closely. That means what was “fine” 15 years ago may now be a safety hazard.

Modern code requires:

• Proper panel grounding

• Arc-fault and ground-fault protection in certain rooms

• Clearly labeled breakers

• Adequate capacity for today’s electrical loads

If your panel doesn’t meet these standards, it could fail an inspection—or worse, fail when you need it most.

Inspections That Catch Problems Before They Spark

We’ve inspected panels in homes all across Metairie—from new builds off Clearview Parkway to 70-year-old houses with hidden fuse boxes in closets (yep, we’ve seen it all). And what we’ve learned is simple: most homeowners don’t realize how much risk they’re carrying until it’s too late.

Our electrical panel safety inspections check:

• Proper breaker function

• Panel grounding and bonding

• Amperage load and capacity

• Signs of arcing, corrosion, or overheating

And we explain everything in plain English. No jargon, no pressure—just the facts about what’s safe, what’s not, and what it’ll take to fix it.

Protect Your Metairie Home—From the Panel Up

Your electrical panel might not be flashy, but it’s the heart of your home’s power system. And like any good heart, it needs to stay healthy. If it’s outdated, overloaded, or out of code, it’s not just inefficient—it’s dangerous.

We’re here to help Metairie homeowners get peace of mind with expert panel inspections, upgrades, and repairs.

Let’s Check That Panel Before It’s a Problem

If you’re wondering whether your electrical panel is up to code or even safe to begin with, don’t leave it to guesswork. A quick inspection can uncover big issues before they become real problems—and give you the confidence that your home is protected from the inside out.

Reach out today to schedule your panel inspection.
We’ll bring the tools, the know-how, and maybe even a few bad electricity puns. But most importantly—we’ll bring peace of mind.