Upgrades to an electrical panel can be made for many reasons. Today's homes use a variety of devices, including high-definition televisions and computers, which have power needs beyond the design specifications of older homes. As technology continues to enter every facet of life, power requirements will continue to increase. Home buyers may look at old panels as a sign of an obsolete electrical system in disrepair, so upgrading a panel can make a big difference during the sale of home, many homes built between the 1950s and 1990 still have circuit breakers made by the defunct company Federal Pacific, which may not trip.