Years ago, homes in Chandler weren’t built with today’s electrical demands in mind. Today, homeowners have pools, spas, multiple big-screen TVs, heavy-duty air conditioning units, EV chargers, home offices, and more appliances. Often, these are running at the same time and drawing an increasingly larger electrical load. 100-amp service, the most common in our area, may no longer work. You might simply not have enough capacity to keep everything running safely.
If you are considering upgrading your electrical panel to 200-amp service in Chandler, here’s what you need to know.
What Is A 200-Amp Electrical Panel?
Your electrical panel distributes electricity throughout the home. It controls the circuits that power lighting, outlets, appliances, cooling systems, and other electrical equipment. Amps refer to how much electricity the home can safely handle at one time.
Many homes throughout Chandler, Mesa, and Phoenix were built when electrical demand was far lower than it is today. Decades ago, homes typically had fewer appliances, less cooling demand, and far fewer electronics.
Signs Your Home May Need a 200-Amp Service Panel Upgrade
You may have a power outage or major failure, but there may still be some warning signs that your home may need a 200-Amp service panel upgrade. If your electrical system is struggling to keep up with demand, you might see:
- Frequent breaker trips
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Warm breakers
- Buzzing sounds near the panel
- Limited space for additional circuits
- Problems running multiple appliances simultaneously
Homes That Commonly Benefit From 200-Amp Service
Besides the warning signs, upgrading your electrical panel to 200-amp service may also be necessary in these circumstances:
- Adding home EV chargers
- Larger homes with multiple HVAC systems
- Pool or hot tub installations
- Casitas or additions
- New electric ranges and dryers
- Home workshops
- Solar system expansions
What Happens During A 200-Amp Electrical Panel Upgrade?
An electric panel upgrade requires permits, inspections, coordination with the power company, and more. You’ll need to work with a qualified electrician to handle a panel upgrade to do the job right and ensure compliance with building codes.
Permit And Utility Coordination
Panel upgrades require permits and inspections in Chandler and throughout Arizona. The utility provider, usually APS or SRP, must also coordinate temporary disconnect and reconnect service during installation. In Chandler, permits can cost up to several hundred dollars and take 2 to 14 days to be approved, depending on the scope of the project.
After projects are completed, an inspection is conducted to certify the work.
Panel Replacement and Installation
During the upgrade process, a technician will remove the old panel and install new service equipment. This typically includes:
- Installing the new panel
- Adding circuit breakers
- Labeling circuits
- Updating grounding and bonding
- Adding additional circuits if needed
When upgrading a 200-Amp service panel, you may also want to consider adding capacity at the same time to handle future needs.
Temporary Power Shutdown
Power is usually shut off temporarily during installation. In many cases, power can be restored the same day, though it’s up to the utility company to schedule it. The goal though, is to avoid long shutdowns, especially during the hot summer months.
Can A Homeowner Replace an Electrical Panel?
This is not DIY work. This is a job for a professional, experienced electrician.
Panel upgrades involve high-voltage electrical work, strict code requirements, permits, inspections, and utility coordination, and improper installation can create serious fire and shock hazards. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home electrical fires account for approximately 13% of all home structure fires and 18% of home fire deaths annually.
Improper installation when upgrading or replacing a panel can also lead to:
- Manufacturers not honoring equipment warranties
- An insurance company denying claims or refusing to insure your home
- Failed inspections resulting in delays and rework
- Expensive corrections
- Trouble selling your home and passing home inspections
200-Amp Electrical Panel Upgrades in Chandler, AZ
If your home is showing signs of an overloaded electrical system, you need more capacity, or you want a 200-amp electrical panel upgrade, you want to work with a licensed company that has highly trained electricians. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical has been in business for more than 70 years, serving the Phoenix area for more than 35 years.
For every job, we perform detailed electrical load calculations to properly size your new panel and future capacity, coordinate with permitting, inspections, and APS/SRP, and install all major panel brands.
Contact George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical for safe, code-compliant 200-Amp service panel upgrade in Chandler and throughout the Valley.