Is it time for new breakers?


Based on online reading, breakers last from 30 to 40 years assuming they don’t get tripped or suffer surges often. Less than that if they have tripped often, run "hot" or in a lightning prone area without suppression.

So, if your breakers were installed before 1984 it’s time to re-assess them.

Separately, some homes before then were built with Federal Pacific panels and those need to be removed ASAP, and anything else which used the stab-loc design. 

Definitely get whole-house surge suppressors. They won’t prevent every surge but will keep your fire alarms, Wifi thermostats, automated light switches and compute controlled washing machine running longer.

As of the 2020 NEC Arc-Fault breakers were required, and the 2023 requires even more devices be GFCI protected. Fortunately if you skipped the first generation AFCI, the second generation (CAFCI) is smarter and more reliable.  All of these are important safety upgrades you might as well make.

erik_squires

Honestly had no idea they were one of the "big 5" manufacturers of panels, or that stab-lok design was still in use up until 1990.

@erik_squires great advice.  My career moved up thought power plant engineering and I still touch most everything I monitor to check for unusual temperature or vibration.  But you do have to know what to expect.  Don't tough a 500 degree pipe for example.

Anyone who doesn't know Erik's reputation should be coming around to understand it now.  His advice in this thread could save your house.

Jerry