Los Angeles was wired for 1950s loads—irons and tube TVs, not induction ranges and Level-2 EV chargers. Today’s 100-amp panels max out fast, and NEC 2023 now requires 200-amp service for most new accessory dwelling units (ADUs). A home electrical panel upgrade does four critical things:
- Eliminates fire risk from overheated bus bars and obsolete fuse boxes.
- Adds breaker spaces for solar back-feed, heat pumps, and smart appliances.
- Meets insurance & resale requirements—many carriers deny claims on panels older than 40 years.
- Slashes nuisance trips that damage electronics.
Nine Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade
Red Flag | Why It’s Serious |
Breakers trip when the microwave and toaster run together | Indicates load > 80 % of panel rating |
Flickering lights during AC start-up | Voltage drop from undersized feeder |
Warm breaker face or buzzing | Loose lugs or degraded bus bar |
Installing a hot tub, EV charger, or ADU | Each demands up to 60 amps |
Aluminum branch wiring | Needs torque-checked lugs or copper pigtails |
Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or split-bus panel | Documented fire history |
Fewer than 10 spare breaker spaces | Limits future circuits |
Panel older than 30 years | Out-of-date grounding & bonding |
You still have screw-in fuses | Not NEC 2023 compliant |
Pro tip: A service panel upgrade often qualifies for California’s Energy Smart Home Rebate—ask our staff to file the paperwork for you.
Cost Drivers You Control
- Distance to meter: Each extra foot of 4/0 copper adds ~$6.
- Wall type: Stucco penetrations require patch & paint.
- Combo projects: Bundling EV Charger Installation in Los Angeles or landscape lighting in Los Angeles with the panel swap saves 10–15 % in labor.
Hidden Savings
- Home-insurance discounts average 5 % for panels less than 20 years old (State Farm 2024 survey).
- A Zillow study shows upgraded electrical boosts resale value by $2 per sq ft in Southern CA.
The Farashi Electric 7-Step Upgrade Process
- Load Calculation & IR Scan – We measure real-time amp draw and pinpoint hot spots.
- City Permit Pull – Paperwork, plan check, and LADWP coordination—handled in-house.
- Temporary Power Setup – Keeps your fridge and Wi-Fi alive.
- Old Panel Demolition – Safe asbestos & lead protocol for pre-1980 boxes.
- Install “Best Electrical Panel Upgrade” Components
- 200-amp NEMA 3R main with copper bus, surge protector, AFCI/GFCI breakers.
- Solar-ready 225-amp buss per NEC 705.12(B)(2)(3)(b) 120 % rule.
- Grounding & Bonding – Dual 5/8-in copper rods + cold-water bond.
- Final Inspection & Clean-Up – White-glove service; we even label every circuit.
Need whole-home rewires? See our Wiring and Rewiring Services in Los Angeles page.
Specs That Define the Best Electrical Panel Upgrade
Feature | Why It Matters |
Copper Bus Bar | 40 % cooler under identical load than aluminum. |
40+ Spaces | Accommodates battery storage inverter + heat pump. |
Integrated Surge Protection | Shields $5K worth of electronics for <$200. |
Smart Breakers | App visibility, energy monitoring, remote shut-off. |
Load Shedding Module | Automatically prioritizes HVAC over EV charging. |
Future-Proofing Checklist
- Ask for spare conduit to garage for electrical panel upgrade near me solar and EV expansion.
- Specify 4/0 copper service entrance conductors for up-to-300-amp readiness.
- Opt for combo meter-main to save wall space.
Beyond the Main Panel—Bundle & Save
A residential electrical panel upgrade is the perfect moment to add complementary projects and other electrical services in LA:
- EV Charger Installation in Los Angeles – Up to 30 % federal tax credit.
- Landscape lighting in Los Angeles – Low-voltage transformers fit neatly beside the new panel.
- Electrical troubleshooting in Los Angeles – We diagnose historic knob-and-tube circuits before reconnecting them.
Combined visits cut truck-roll fees and fast-track LADWP green-power incentives.
- West wood
- Malibu
- Northridge
- Beverly Hills
- Simi Valley
- Encino
- North Hollywood
- West Hollywood
What Our Clients Say
Panel Upgrade FAQ: Common Questions & Expert Answers
A replacement swaps like-for-like ampacity; an upgrade increases capacity and spaces.
No. California Electrical Code mandates a C-10 licensed electrician for service equipment. Insurance voids DIY work.
Typical outage is 4–6 hours; we schedule around your family’s routine.
No. Ampacity is capacity, not consumption. Your usage habits drive the bill.
Farashi Electric secure permits in 3 business days and schedule installs within two weeks city-wide.
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