ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADE: THE COMPLETE 12 STEP GUIDE

Looking For An Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Look no further! Landers Electric specializes in upgrading electrical panels all throughout North San Diego County. Whether your electricity is fed from above your house or underground, we can help you through the entire process.

The goal of this article is to help you think about why you might need an electrical panel upgrade and what to expect during the panel upgrade process.

It is imperative to state that electrical panel upgrades are extremely technical and dangerous and should never be performed by an untrained professional. The information contained in this article is strictly informational.

When hiring an electrical contractor be sure to verify their contractor license status and that they hold a general liability insurance policy.

Before we get to the specifics of the electrical panel upgrade process, it is necessary to answer a few questions you might have.

With that, let’s get started.

DO YOU NEED AN ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADE?

Below are a few reasons you might need an electrical panel upgrade or replacement.

• Breakers keep tripping

• Melted buss bar from a faulty circuit

• Burning smell coming from electrical panel

• Electrical panel is deteriorating

• More amperage is needed for added loads (electric vehicle, oven, fireplace, heat pump, mini-split etc..)

These are a few of the many reasons you might be thinking about upgrading your electrical panel. Below are some pictures of electrical panels that were in desperate need of an upgrade.

 Is there an advantage to upgrading my electrical panel?

In short, Yes.

Many people buy a new home and decide to spend their money on strictly “cosmetic” upgrades.

One thing to keep in mind though, especially with electrical upgrades, is the importance of the backbone of your electrical system.

The backbone consists of all the wires and materials you can’t see, the electrical panel being the main component.

It’s not pretty. It’s not going to impress your friends, or make your bathroom look modern and up to date, but a properly operating electrical panel is going to ensure that all the new light fixtures, smart switches, ceiling fans, and other components you install continue to operate without interruption for many years to come.

WHAT SIZE ELECTRICAL PANEL DO I NEED?

Electrical panels are sized in AMPS. In short, this is how much power you use from day to day. Which electrical panel you choose will vary depending on your electrical needs today and your plans for the future.

Below is a breakdown down of some of the most common electrical panel options and why you might choose one over another.

This is not a comprehensive list, but can help to give you an idea of which electrical panel you should choose.

1. 125 AMP Electrical Panel Upgrade or Replacement
   - Not adding any electrical load and simply want to replace your existing electrical panel
   - Your 100 or 125 amp electrical panel is damaged and needs replacement
   - Have an underground fed electrical panel and don’t have the budget for a 200 amp upgrade

2. 200 AMP Electrical Panel Upgrade or Replacement
   - Not adding any electrical load but have plans to in the future
   - Looking to add 1 or 2 electrical appliances and 1 electrical vehicle charger
   - Installing a larger capacity photovoltaic (solar) system

3. 400 AMP Electrical Panel Upgrade or Replacement
   - Not adding any electrical load but need a 400 amp electrical panel replacement
   - Installing 2 electric vehicle chargers and have many other electric appliances in the home
   - Looking to “electrify” your entire home

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO UPGRADE MY ELECTRICAL PANEL

The cost associated with upgrading your electrical panel can vary widely depending on your location and specific installation requirements.

Below are the two most typical cost ranges in the North County San Diego Area.

Overhead Service (Power lines above your house with a service drop connecting to your electrical panel above your roof)
$3500 - $5500

Underground Service (No power lines above. electrical panel fed underground)
$7000 - $20,000

The Electrical Panel Upgrade Process

Now that we have covered a few questions you might have and you’ve chosen the size of your electrical panel upgrade, it’s time to get started with what to expect in the process.

Were going to cover the whole process from start to finish including differences between overhead/underground electrical panel upgrades.

Below is an outline of the electrical panel upgrade process for your reference. You can click any of the links to jump to that specific section.

Are You Ready?

Here we go!

Outline Of The Electrical Panel Upgrade Process

• Step 1: Request Service Change From Utility Company

• Step 2: Waiting Period

• Step 3: Apply For A City Permit

• Step 4: Schedule Pre-Meet With Trench Inspector (Underground Service Only)

• Step 5: Dig Trench & Install Conduit (Underground Service Only)

• Step 6: Trench Inspection & Backfill (Underground Service Only)

• Step 7: Schedule Disconnect/Reconnect

• Step 8: Utility Company Power Disconnection

• Step 9: Install Grounding/Bonding System

• Step 10: Electrical Panel Removal & Installation

• Step 11: Repair Stucco/Siding

• Step 12: Pass Final Inspection

OVERHEAD/Underground ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADE PROCESS

Step 1: Request Service Change From Utility Company

To get your project started, you must first request a change to your existing service from your utility company.

Below are the steps to do this.

1. Go to SDG&E’s work order request form website.

2. Fill out all the necessary information for your installation.

3. Review all the forms and click submit

This paperwork is usually included in the cost of your electrical panel upgrade so no need to fill out the paperwork yourself.

Step 2: Waiting Period

Once you have requested a work order, the waiting game begins. How long you must wait depends on your utility company’s availability.

After the waiting period, your project is assigned to a “planner”.

This planner will come out to your home and assess the area and design your job.

Once complete, the planner will email a detailed report (called a work order) with the requirements for your electrical panel upgrade.

This includes:

• Panel Location

• Conduit Size

• Clearances

• Meter Height

• Trenching Route & Depth (underground service only)

Once a work order is received from the utility company, it’s time to apply for a city permit.

Step 3: Apply For A City Permit

After you have received the work order from your utility company, you must contact the city and pull a permit.

A CITY PERMIT IS ALWAYS REQUIRED when upgrading an electrical panel.

There are many so called “electricians” who will quote you a much lower price and tell you it’s not necessary to wait all the time for your utility company to process your request or to pull a permit.

If you run into one of these unprofessional scam artists, send them down the road.

A city permit for an electrical panel upgrade is fairly easy to obtain and most municipalities have a standard form to fill out to simplify the process.

Once the permit is pulled you will be able to move on to the next step of the electrical panel upgrade process.

Step 4: Schedule Pre-Meet With Trench Inspector (Underground Service Only)

Steps 4, 5, and 6 apply only to what we call underground services only.

Before we go any further, it’s important to understand the difference between overhead and underground electrical services.

An overhead electrical service is very easy to identify.

If you walk outside and see power lines above your head with one set of wires running to the conduit above your electrical panel, you have an overhead service. (see pictures below)

An underground electrical service would be one that has no overhead power lines.

In addition, if you look around your neighborhood and you see green transformers (see image below), that’s a good sign you have an underground electrical service.

Now back to step 4.

After receiving a work order and pulling a permit, the next step for an underground electrical service is to schedule a pre-meet with a trench inspector.

Here in San Diego, the trench inspector works for SDG&E.

Their job is to ensure that the new underground conduit is installed according to SDG&E’s standards.

This meeting will help both the homeowner and electrical contractor understand what is required for the underground portion of their electrical panel upgrade so the installation is completed correctly the first time.

It’s important to remember to call Dig Alert (811) prior to scheduling the pre-meet with the trench inspector.

The work area must be marked out in white paint prior to Dig Alert’s arrival.

You will not be able to schedule the meeting without a Dig Alert reference number.

Step 5: Dig Trench & Install Conduit (Underground Service Only)

Once the trench inspector has provided all the necessary direction for the new underground feeder conduit, the construction can being.

This is when the trench can be excavated and 90 percent of the conduit can be installed. The final 10 percent of the conduit that enters into SDG&E’s handhole or transformer cannot be installed by the installing contractor.

This portion will be installed by a utility contractor after the trench is inspected a second time by the trench inspector.

Step 6: Trench Inspection & Backfill (Underground Service Only)

As stated in step 5, once the conduit has been 90 percent installed the trench inspector must be contacted a second time to approve the installation of the last 10 percent of conduit entering into the utility company’s handhole/transformer.

If this inspection is passed, you must call a SDG&E’s service coordinator to schedule a crew to come out and complete the conduit installation.

After the conduit is completed, the electrical contractor is cleared to backfill the trench and repair any driveway/sidewalk/street that was removed to dig the trench.

Once all this has been completed, the trench inspector must be called one last time to approve a final inspection on the underground work.

If the inspection is approved, the electrical panel upgrade can continue to step 7.

Step 7: Schedule Disconnect/Reconnect

Steps 4, 5, and 6, were strictly for underground electrical services.

Steps 7-12 are back to being applicable to both overhead and underground electrical services.

The step we’re on, step 7, is to schedule what is called a disconnect/reconnect.

The disconnect/reconnect refers to the electrical power at your home being disconnected and then reconnected.

The date you schedule a disconnect/reconnect, is the date the old electrical panel will be removed and the new one installed.

A disconnect/reconnect can be scheduled by reaching out to the project’s SDG&E service coordinator.

Once this is scheduled, the city needs to be notified of the date so they can come out to inspect the work.

Step 8: Utility Company Power Disconnection

Step 8 brings us to the date of the actual electrical panel upgrade.

Early in the morning an utility crew will arrive at the property to disconnect the power.

It’s important to keep in mind that approximately 3 days prior to the scheduled disconnection date dig alert should be called to mark out all other existing utilities (gas, water, AT&T, Cox Cable, Etc...).

Step 9: Install Grounding/Bonding System

The National Electric Code requires proper grounding and bonding of all new electrical panels.

This includes (2) ground rods, cold water bond, and electrical panel connection. (see photos below)

Some electrical contractors prefer to install the ground rods prior to the utility power disconnection because a large jackhammer is needed to drive the two ground rods 8’ into the ground.

Once the ground rods are driven, an unbroken solid ground wire sized according to the National Electric Code must connect both ground rods, the cold water pipe, and the electrical panel.

Step 10: Electrical Panel Removal & Installation

THIS STEP CAN ONLY BE COMPLETED ONCE THE UTILITY COMPANY HAS DISCONNECTED THE POWER!

Once the power has been disconnected at its origination point, the old panel is removed and the new panel can be installed.

If you have an overhead electrical service, a new riser and weather head will be installed at least 24” above the roof for utility connection.

After the installation the city inspector will visit the site to ensure the installation is in compliance with the National Electric Code.

If the inspection is passed, the city inspector will notify SDG&E and the power will be restored.

Step 11: Repair Stucco/Siding

Removing an electrical panel requires cutting into the stucco/siding.

Repairs will need to made by either the electrical contractor or another contractor.

Only after the required repairs have been made can a final inspection be scheduled.

Step 12: Pass Final Inspection

The final inspection is the last milestone in the electrical panel upgrade process.

Remember that the stucco/siding and waterproofing must be repaired and the affected area must be painted in order to pass final.

Once the final inspection is approved the electrical panel upgrade is complete!

As always, if you need a professional to help you with your electrical panel upgrade please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We’d love the opportunity to ensure your electrical panel upgrade installation is completed in an affordable and timely manner!

Take Care.

-Stephan Landers | Owner/Operator | Landers Electric

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