When to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
May 12, 2026 4 min read
Tripping breakers, flickering lights, or planning a remodel? Here's how to tell if your panel is overdue for an upgrade.
If your home still runs on a 100-amp panel — or worse, a 60-amp service — you may be living with an electrical system that simply wasn't built for modern life. Between EV chargers, induction ranges, mini-splits, and the dozens of always-on devices in a typical Arizona home, today's load is dramatically higher than what panels installed in the 1980s and 90s were designed for.
Five signs it's time for an upgrade
1. Breakers trip regularly, especially in the kitchen or laundry.
2. Lights dim when the AC or microwave kicks on.
3. You're planning to add an EV charger, hot tub, generator, or workshop.
4. Your panel is a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Pushmatic — known fire risks.
5. You see rust, scorch marks, or smell burning near the panel. Stop using it and call us immediately.
What an upgrade actually involves
A typical residential service upgrade replaces the meter base, main breaker panel, and grounding system, and brings the home up to current NEC code. In most cases we coordinate with APS or UniSource for the disconnect and re-connect. Most homes are without power for only part of a day.
How much does it cost?
Pricing varies by amperage, panel location, and whether the meter base needs to be relocated. We give a written, itemized estimate before any work starts — no surprises.
Have a project to talk through?
Free estimates from a licensed Prescott Valley electrician.