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Panel upgrades in Sacramento, CA

Electrical panel upgrade in Sacramento, from 100 amps to 200 amps

If your panel is full, hot, outdated or too small for new loads, an upgrade can fix it. We explain what is needed before any work starts.

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  • Load check before choosing a size
  • Permit and inspection steps explained
  • Written quote with the scope listed
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Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

Old breaker panel beside a new panel being wired in a garage

What is an electrical panel upgrade?

The electrical panel is the box that takes power from the utility and splits it into the circuits in your house. An electrical panel upgrade swaps an old or undersized panel for a new one, usually with a higher amperage rating, new breakers and a clean, safe connection to the meter. In Sacramento, the most common request is moving from a 100 amp or smaller service to 200 amps.

It is not the same as replacing one breaker. A breaker swap fixes one circuit. A panel upgrade changes how much power the house can use at once, and it can remove a known weak point such as a cracked bus bar or a panel brand with a poor safety record. Many people also ask for it so they can add an EV charger, a heat pump, solar or a battery without overloading the house.

If you are not sure whether you need a new panel or just a repair, an inspection will answer that.

How do I know my Sacramento home needs a new panel?

Homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s often came with a 60 or 100 amp service sized for a few lamps, a stove and a window air conditioner. Today the same house may run central air, a dryer, a microwave, a home office and more. Watch for these signs:

  • Breakers that trip often, especially on hot afternoons
  • Lights that dim when the air conditioner starts
  • No free spaces for new breakers, or doubled-up breakers everywhere
  • A panel that feels warm, buzzes, smells hot or shows rust or scorching
  • Fuses in a home that has never been updated
  • A Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, brands with well-known reputations for problems that are worth having inspected
  • Plans for solar, a battery, an EV charger, a hot tub or an ADU

None of these proves you need a full upgrade, but together they point to a panel that has reached its limit. Ask for a written explanation of what the electrician measured and why the answer is what it is.

What does the upgrade involve, and how long does it take?

A typical job starts with a load calculation to confirm that 200 amps is the right size. Then comes the paperwork. Most panel changes need a permit from the city or county, and the utility has to be involved when the meter base or service connection changes. Most of Sacramento is served by SMUD, with PG&E in some nearby areas, so check your bill to see who yours is.

On the day, power to the house is shut off while the old panel comes out and the new one goes in. The work usually includes a new main breaker panel, new breakers, proper grounding and bonding, arc-fault and ground-fault protection where required, and clear circuit labels. If the meter socket or service mast is worn, those are often replaced at the same time.

Many upgrades take one working day, with the power off for several hours of it. Jobs that need a new service mast, trenching or utility scheduling can take longer, and the inspection and utility reconnection are outside any electrician's control. Ask for a realistic window, not a promise.

Prices vary a lot from house to house, so be cautious of anyone who quotes a number without seeing the panel. These factors move the total:

  • Service size and type. A straight panel swap costs less than a new service with a new meter base and mast.
  • Location. An exterior panel on stucco is different from a panel inside a finished wall, and moving a panel costs more than replacing it in place.
  • Condition of the wiring. Old or damaged circuits may have to be repaired or extended. See our rewiring page if the problem is bigger than the box.
  • Permit and utility steps. Fees and scheduling differ by jurisdiction.
  • Extras. Surge protection, a subpanel, a generator or battery connection, or extra circuits for a charger all add work.

We quote in writing before work starts, with the scope listed so you can compare it against other quotes line by line.

What should I expect on the day, and when should I call?

Plan to be home or reachable, and to have no need for power during the main part of the job. Move anything stored in front of the panel and tell us about pets and sensitive equipment. The work area is confirmed, power is shut off, the swap is done, each circuit is tested and you are shown what changed. If an inspection is needed, it is booked, and the job is not finished until it passes.

Call when you see warning signs: frequent tripping, a hot or buzzing panel, a full box, or a project such as solar or a charger that needs more capacity. If anything smells burnt or sparks, treat it as urgent and read our emergency page. For an overview of everything we do, start at the home page.

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Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

Questions about electrical in Sacramento

Do I need 200 amps, or is 100 enough?

It depends on what your house runs and what you plan to add. A small home with gas appliances may be fine on 100 amps. A house with central air, an electric dryer and a planned EV charger, heat pump or battery often is not. A load calculation gives a real answer, so ask for one.

Does a panel upgrade need a permit and inspection?

In almost all cases, yes. Panel work is a major electrical change, and the city or county usually requires a permit and inspection. The utility may also need to disconnect and reconnect power. Ask your electrician who handles each step, and keep the final inspection record for when you sell.

How long will my power be off?

For a straightforward swap, power is typically off for several hours during one working day. Jobs with a new meter base, service mast or utility scheduling can take longer. Plan for no air conditioning during the work, which matters most in summer, and ask your electrician for a realistic window.

Are Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels dangerous?

Both brands have well-known reputations for breakers that may fail to trip when they should, and many electricians recommend replacing them. Not every one has failed, but an inspection is worthwhile. If you have one, ask an electrician to look at it and explain the findings before you decide.

Can I replace my own panel?

It is a bad idea. The utility side of the panel stays live even with the main breaker off, and mistakes can be deadly or cause a fire. Permit rules and inspection requirements also apply. Hire a contractor with a valid California C-10 license and check its status on the state contractors board website.

Will a new panel help with solar or a battery?

Often it does. Solar and battery systems connect through the panel, and an older or full panel may not have the space or rating for them. Many Sacramento owners upgrade first, then add solar or storage. Check your plan with the solar installer and the utility before work starts.

How it works

1

Call or request a quote

Tell us what is wrong or what you need.

2

Clear price

We explain the work and the cost before starting.

3

Safe, tidy work

Done properly, tested and cleaned up.

Ready when you are. Call now or request a quote online.

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