Panel & Service Upgrades in Tucson
Panel and service upgrades, including 100 to 200 amp upgrades and Federal Pacific or Zinsco replacements.
Panel and Service Upgrades
Out of breaker space, adding an EV charger or solar, or living with an older panel with a bad track record? A new panel and service sized for how you live now makes everything else possible.
Panel and service upgrades in Tucson
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home. If it is old, full, or not sized for how you live now, everything downstream suffers: breakers trip, lights dim, and adding anything new becomes a problem.
Signs you may need an upgrade
- Breakers trip often, or lights dim when the AC or a large appliance starts
- You are adding an EV charger, solar, a hot tub, a shop or an addition
- The panel is full and you are out of spaces for new circuits
- It is a Federal Pacific, Zinsco or another panel with a known history of problems
- The panel is warm, buzzing, rusted or shows scorch marks
- Your home still has a 60 or 100 amp service
100 amp vs 200 amp
Many older Tucson homes have 100 amp service, which was plenty before central air, electric ranges and EV chargers. A 200 amp service gives most homes room to grow. Aaron will do a load calculation and tell you what you actually need, not just the biggest option.
How an upgrade works
We plan the work, pull the permit, and coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with Tucson Electric Power or TRICO. Most panel swaps are finished in a day, and the power is only off for part of it. The new panel is labeled clearly so you know exactly what every breaker controls.
Other services
Residential
Expertly handling all your home wiring and electrical repair needs, from new wiring and remodels to panel upgrades and solar.
Wire up your home
Electrical Repair
Troubleshooting and repair for tripping breakers, flickering lights, dead outlets and storm damage.
Get it fixed right
Commercial
Customized electrical systems designed to boost efficiency and safety for your business. Big or small, we enjoy it all.
Power your business
Solar
Solar array design, installation and repair, including systems another contractor left unfinished.
Plan your solar
Off-Grid Systems
Off-grid solar, wells, pumps and battery backup.
Go off-grid
EV Chargers
Home and business EV charger installs, including the service upgrades they need.
Get a home charger
Mini-Splits
Mini-split install and repair for single heads, cassettes and multi-zone systems.
Cool a room
Lighting & Fans
Recessed lighting, fixtures, ceiling fans, dimmers and outdoor lighting for homes and businesses.
Light up a roomDo I need to upgrade my panel (100A vs 200A)?
Common signs include frequent breaker trips, no open slots for new breakers, a fuse box, or an older panel brand with known problems. Upgrades are also common when adding an EV charger, heat pump, addition, or hot tub. An electrician does a load calculation to decide if your current service can handle what you have and what you plan to add.
Is aluminum wiring or a Federal Pacific/Zinsco panel a problem?
They can be. Aluminum branch wiring, common in some homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, can loosen and oxidize at connections and create fire risk. Approved repairs include special connectors or crimps, or rewiring. Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) and Zinsco panels have a documented history of breakers that fail to trip. If your home has either, have an electrician evaluate it and plan for replacement or repair.
Can I add a circuit or a subpanel for a garage or addition?
Usually yes, if the main panel and service have enough capacity. A subpanel is common for garages, workshops, and additions. The job needs a load calculation, correct wire and breaker sizing, proper grounding, and typically a permit and inspection.
What does whole-home surge protection do, and is it worth it?
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and diverts voltage spikes from lightning, utility switching, and large appliances cycling on and off. It is generally worth it if you have expensive electronics and appliances. It reduces risk but cannot guarantee protection from a direct lightning strike, and it works best paired with plug-in surge protectors for sensitive devices.
Do I need a permit for this work?
Permits are usually required for new circuits, panel changes, service upgrades, EV chargers, generators, and additions. Simple like-for-like swaps of an outlet, switch, or light fixture often do not need one, but rules vary by city and county. Licensed electricians normally handle permits. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance claims and when selling a home.
How long will the job take, and will the power be off?
Simple jobs like a fixture, outlet, or dimmer can take an hour or two. A new circuit or charger may take a few hours to half a day. A panel upgrade often takes most of a day and needs power off for several hours, sometimes with utility coordination. A good electrician will tell you the expected outage in advance so you can plan around refrigerators, medical equipment, and work-from-home needs.