Electrical Panel Questions, Answered Straight

We're Elevate Utilities, a licensed electrical contractor (CSLB #1084701) serving the Sacramento area. Panel replacements and upgrades are the core of what we do — from the panel itself to the service line feeding it. Below are the questions homeowners ask us most. If yours isn't here, call or text us at (530) 515-6924 — estimates are free.

What are the signs that my electrical panel needs to be replaced?

Breakers that trip often, lights that flicker or dim when a big appliance starts, a panel that feels warm or buzzes, a burning smell near the panel, rust or corrosion inside the panel, or simply running out of breaker spaces when you want to add something new. Age matters too: many panels installed before 1990 were not built for today's loads — EV chargers, hot tubs, modern kitchens, and home additions all draw far more than homes used to. If you're seeing any of these signs, we can check your panel and tell you honestly whether it needs replacement or just a repair. Estimates are free.

I have a Federal Pacific panel. Should it be replaced?

Honest answer: it's worth a serious look. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels with Stab-Lok breakers were installed in a large number of homes from the 1950s through the 1980s. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission investigated Stab-Lok breakers and closed its investigation in 2011 without making a determination on whether they pose a hazard — so no, they were never recalled, and we won't tell you otherwise. What we can tell you is what we find in the field: some Stab-Lok breakers fail to trip when they should, which is the one job a breaker has. Because of that track record, many home inspectors flag them, and some insurance companies ask questions about them at sale or renewal. We replace FPE panels regularly, and we'll inspect yours and give you a straight written assessment before you decide anything.

What about Zinsco panels?

Zinsco panels (also sold under the Sylvania name) are the other brand we get asked about most. Like FPE, they were never recalled. The known issue is different: Zinsco breakers can fuse to the bus bar over time, so a breaker can look "off" or fail to trip while the circuit stays live. Home inspectors and insurers commonly flag Zinsco panels for the same reasons they flag FPE. If your home has one, a free inspection will tell you whether yours is showing those problems.

How do I know if my panel can handle an EV charger?

It depends on two things: the size of your service (100 amps vs. 200 amps is the usual divide) and how much of that capacity your home already uses. A Level 2 home charger typically needs a 40–60 amp circuit. On a 200-amp panel with room to spare, that's often a straightforward circuit install. On a 100-amp panel that's already carrying an AC unit, electric range, and dryer, there may not be room to add it within the calculated load — and the right answer is a load calculation before anyone promises you anything. We do that calculation as part of a free estimate, and if a panel upgrade is needed first, we'll tell you that up front rather than after the charger is on the wall.

Do I need a permit to replace my electrical panel?

Yes. A panel replacement requires an electrical permit and an inspection from your city or county, and the work has to be done by a licensed contractor. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and coordinate the work so the process is handled start to finish — permit, disconnect, replacement, inspection, and reconnect. It's one of the reasons to hire a licensed contractor (we're CSLB #1084701) instead of a handyman for this job: an unpermitted panel swap can come back on you at resale or with your insurance company.

How long does a panel replacement take? Will I be without power all day?

Plan on the power being off for a good part of one day while the old panel comes out and the new one goes in. In most cases, power is back on the same day. The exact timing depends on the inspection and reconnect steps that follow the install, which is why we schedule and coordinate everything in advance rather than leaving you guessing. Commercial buildings and a few unusual service setups can take longer, and we'll tell you that before the job starts if yours is one of them.

My breakers keep tripping. Does that mean I need a new panel?

Not always — and be careful with anyone who tells you it does before looking. A tripping breaker can be a single overloaded circuit, a failing appliance, a bad breaker, or a panel that's genuinely out of capacity. The only way to know is to test it. We'll find the actual cause first; if a repair fixes it, that's what we'll recommend. If the panel itself is the problem, we'll show you what we found and put the options in writing.

What does a panel upgrade actually change — is it just a bigger box?

A panel upgrade (also called a panel changeout or service upgrade) replaces your main electrical panel and, when needed, the service feeding it. A typical upgrade takes a home from a 100-amp service to a 200-amp service, which is what modern loads expect, and replace older or problem-brand equipment with a modern panel with room to grow. Because we do line work as well as panel work — overhead and underground services, meter mains, and service entrances — we handle the whole path from the street to your breakers, not just the box on the wall.

Can a home inspector or insurance company make me replace my panel?

An inspector can't force you, but their report carries weight: a flagged panel (FPE and Zinsco are the usual ones) can hold up a home sale, and some insurance carriers will ask for replacement or decline to renew a policy on homes with certain older panels. If you're buying, selling, or got a letter from your insurer, we can inspect the panel and put our findings in writing — that letter, plus a replacement quote if one's needed, is usually what the agent, carrier, or buyer is asking for. The inspection and estimate are free.

What areas do you serve, and how do I get an estimate?

We serve Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Rancho Cordova, North Highlands, Antelope, Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, Grass Valley, Colfax, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, and nearby communities. Estimates are free, and we answer 24/7 for emergencies. Call or text (530) 515-6924, or send us a photo of your panel — for a lot of questions, a clear photo of the panel and its label is enough for us to tell you what you're likely looking at before anyone comes out.