Why a Main Panel Upgrade Is Essential for Your Los Angeles Home
If you’re planning a main panel upgrade in your Los Angeles home—whether to support modern appliances, EV chargers, or future renovations—farashi electric delivers expert panel upgrade in Los Angeles and full electrical services in LA. This guide explains how a main service panel upgrade (MPU) works, why it’s critical for safety and upgrades, what LA codes require, and how to prepare for a smooth, future-ready electrical system.
What Is a Main Panel Upgrade (MPU)?
Your main panel—also called the service panel—is the central hub connecting your home to the city grid. An MPU (main panel upgrade) typically involves replacing or expanding this panel to increase amp capacity, add breakers, and accommodate more circuits safely.
- Most modern homes need at least 200 amp panel upgrades in Los Angeles, while older homes often run on outdated 100 amp panels that fail to meet current electrical demands.
- A panel upgrade may include sub panel upgrade in Los Angeles to reroute power for spaces like garages, ADUs, or workshops.
Why You Need a Panel Upgrade Now
Supporting Modern Home Needs
If you’re installing high-demand appliances—like EV chargers, HVAC, electric ranges, pools—or upgrading to Wi‑Fi outlets and smart systems, your home needs sufficient power capacity.
- According to the California code, average homes under 1,500 ft² must have at least 100 amp service, but growing demands often call for 200 amps or more.
Dimming Lights, Tripped Breakers, Panel Age
Frequent breaker trips, lights dimming, or flickering often point to an overtaxed or failing panel—common in houses with knob & tube or Federal Pacific panels from 25–40 years ago.
Preparing for EV Charging or Solar
Upgrades to 200 amp panels are now standard when installing Level 2 EV chargers or solar inverters. Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Home program even offers up to $4,200 rebates for upgrading your panel (evhome.sce.com).
What Happens During a Main Panel Upgrade?
Step-by-Step Process
- Initial Assessment
- farashi electric specialists inspect panel location, service lines (overhead vs. underground), service rating, and home circuits.
- Utility Coordination
- Permit requests and utility scheduling for service change must be arranged—overhead service may cost less than underground.
- City Permit & Inspection
- An MPU requires an LA permit, rough-in inspection, and final sign-off by LADBS.
- Panel Installation
- Existing panel is removed; new service mast, breakers, grounding/bonding, surge protection, and possibly a sub panel upgrade in Los Angeles are installed.
- Final Testing and Sign-off
- Load testing, breaker verification, and panel labeling are performed; the utility company reconnects service.
Typical time to complete: 4–8 hours for direct swaps; panel relocation or underground feed may take up to a day.
If you’re planning a main panel upgrade in your Los Angeles home—whether to support modern appliances, EV chargers, or future renovations—farashi electric delivers expert panel upgrade in Los Angeles and full electrical services in LA. This guide explains how a main service panel upgrade (MPU) works, why it’s critical for safety and upgrades, what LA codes require, and how to prepare for a smooth, future-ready electrical system.
What Is a Main Panel Upgrade (MPU)?
Your main panel—also called the service panel—is the central hub connecting your home to the city grid. An MPU (main panel upgrade) typically involves replacing or expanding this panel to increase amp capacity, add breakers, and accommodate more circuits safely.
- Most modern homes need at least 200 amp panel upgrades in Los Angeles, while older homes often run on outdated 100 amp panels that fail to meet current electrical demands.
- A panel upgrade may include sub panel upgrade in Los Angeles to reroute power for spaces like garages, ADUs, or workshops.
Benefits of a Panel Upgrade by farashi electric
Feature | Long-term Benefit |
Proper 200 amp upgrade | Eliminates overloads, flickering lights, and frequently tripped breakers. |
Future-proofing for EV & solar | Ensures safe addition of Level 2 charger, solar arrays, home batteries |
Compliance with code & special breakers | Includes AFCI/GFCI/surge protection as per NEC and 2025 Los Angeles electrical laws. |
Additional sub panels if needed | Enables isolated circuits for garages, workshops, or ADUs |
Licensed electricians from farashi electric | Fast, insured, and thorough service with full documentation |
FAQs
A main panel upgrade replaces your system’s backbone—adding amps, breakers, and safety features to support today’s homes.
A straight panel swap takes about half a day; complex upgrades can extend to a full day or more.
Underground MUOs may require trenching—costlier but protected from overhead weather damage.
Almost always—with EV chargers, solar, or electric HVAC, LA homes usually need one. Rebates like $4,200 make it affordable