Electrical panel upgrade information and requirements
Your electrical panel is the distribution center for your home's power. When it's undersized or outdated, it becomes a bottleneck - or worse, a safety hazard. We'll assess your current setup and recommend upgrades only when necessary.
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels have a documented 25-30% failure rate in testing. These panels may not trip when overloaded, creating significant fire risk. Many insurance companies now refuse coverage for homes with FPE panels. If you have one, replacement is strongly recommended.
Zinsco (including Sylvania-Zinsco) panels have breakers that can melt to the bus bar, preventing them from tripping during overloads. This design flaw poses serious safety risks.
Modern homes require more power than older electrical systems can safely provide. EV chargers need 40-60 amps, hot tubs require 50 amps. If your 100-amp panel is already near capacity, an upgrade to 200 amps may be necessary. We'll perform a load calculation to determine your actual needs.
Modern code requirements have expanded what's involved in a panel upgrade. It's not just swapping boxes anymore:
Quotes depend on panel size, service entrance condition, grounding and bonding updates, and permitting/inspection requirements. We’ll perform a load calculation and provide a written estimate.
The latest electrical code brought significant changes:
We see shortcuts that save installers time but compromise safety:
Shortcuts can appear to save money upfront but create serious safety hazards. Electrical current needs a safe path to ground — shortcuts in grounding and bonding eliminate that safety route. Learn more about proper grounding and bonding →
Never pull your panel cover off. Even with the main breaker off, those fat wires at the top are still hot. 240 volts. It'll kill you before you hit the ground.
When consulting with any electrician about panel upgrades, consider asking:
Submit a photo for professional panel identification
You'll speak directly with an electrician who can answer your questions