When you need a panel upgrade
- Your home still has a fuse box, a 100-amp panel, or an old Federal Pacific / Zinsco / Pushmatic.
- Breakers trip every time you run the microwave and the air fryer.
- Insurance is asking for documentation on the panel before they'll renew.
- You're adding load: a hot tub, a mini-split, a Level 2 EV charger, a generator, a workshop, or a major addition.
- There's a loose neutral, scorched bus, or a known-bad brand and you want it gone before it becomes a fire.
What's included in a typical 200-amp upgrade
- Coordination with Eversource or your utility for the disconnect and re-energize.
- New 200-amp main breaker panel from a name-brand manufacturer (Square D QO, Eaton CH, Siemens).
- New meter socket and service entrance cable as needed.
- Grounding electrode system brought to current NEC requirements: ground rods, water bond, intersystem bond.
- All circuits transferred, labeled clearly, and tested.
- Code-required AFCI / GFCI protection on the circuits that need it.
- Final inspection scheduled with the local building department.
- Permit pulled, all paperwork left with you.
How a job goes
On-site walk-through
John comes out, looks at the existing panel, the service entrance, and the meter. Asks about loads you're adding now and might add in five years.
Written estimate
Itemized estimate emailed or texted, usually same day or next morning. Permit, materials, utility coordination, and labor all called out.
Scheduling & utility coordination
John pulls the permit and coordinates the disconnect window with the utility. You'll know the date and rough window before the day.
Install day
Most 200-amp swaps are a one-day job. Power off in the morning, new panel set, circuits transferred and labeled, power back on by evening.
Inspection & sign-off
John meets the inspector. You get the green sticker and a copy of the permit close-out.
FAQ
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?
Yes, every panel upgrade in New Hampshire requires a permit and an inspection. John pulls the permit, meets the inspector, and leaves the close-out paperwork with you. Don't hire anyone who tells you a panel swap doesn't need a permit.
Will the power be off all day?
Usually not. Most upgrades have a power-off window of four to six hours during the day. John coordinates the utility disconnect so it lines up tightly with the install. You'll have power back before dinner.
Do you replace Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Pushmatic panels?
Yes. Those panels have known failure modes and are common reasons to upgrade. John replaces them with a current-code panel from a manufacturer with parts you'll still be able to find in twenty years.
Can the panel handle an EV charger and a hot tub?
That's exactly the conversation John has at the walk-through. A 200-amp panel comfortably handles an EV charger plus a hot tub in most New Hampshire homes. If the load math is tight, John will say so up front rather than after the install.
How much does a 200-amp upgrade cost?
Project pricing varies with the existing service entrance, mast condition, and how many circuits are being moved. John gives a written estimate before any work. Free estimate, no obligation.