By ArcLite Electric | CA Lic #1010150 | Updated April 2026
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. When it's working well, you never think about it. When it's not — you feel it every day.
An occasional tripped breaker is normal. Frequent trips — especially on circuits you haven't overloaded — mean your panel is struggling to keep up.
Older panels simply weren't designed for today's electrical loads. Smart TVs, EV chargers, home offices, gaming systems — modern homes draw far more power than homes built in the 1980s.
EV charger, hot tub, central AC, electric range? If your panel is near capacity, it needs to be upgraded first.
This is an emergency. Call a licensed electrician immediately.
| Upgrade Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| 100A to 200A upgrade | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| 200A panel replacement | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| 200A to 400A upgrade | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Panel + subpanel | $3,000 – $5,000 |
100-amp service is sufficient for small homes under 1,500 sq ft with no EV, no central AC, and no electric range.
200-amp service is recommended for most modern Bay Area homes, especially with EV chargers, central AC, or electric appliances.
400-amp service is for large homes, multiple EVs, solar + battery storage systems.
Serving Morgan Hill, San Jose, Gilroy, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Fremont and surrounding Bay Area communities.