Tripped Breakers

Many people start their journey toward a service upgrade when they notice a circuit fault or panel fault, which is typically referred to as a "tripped" breaker. While this may be frustrating, it means your service panel is doing its job! Tripping a breaker stops the flow of electricity due to a problem, protecting you and your appliances. 

There are many reasons a fault may occur, and this may be due to the panel, worn connections, or isseus with circuits or how your circuits connect to the panel. A qualified electrician can diagnose the issue and recommend the best solution depending on your needs.

High Load Appliances

If you're looking to install a new EV charger, hot tub or pool heating system, or even just a new heating or cooling system, all of these systems may introduce capacities which your service panel cannot safely accommodate. Depending on avialable circuits and the total peak load of your equipment, you may need to upgrade your service from 100 or 150 amps to 200, 300 or even more. A new service panel will also provide room for new circuits or the ability to more easily configure new electrical subpanels. 

Solar Installation

Installing solar is a great way for Long Islanders to save a bundle on their PSEG or ConEd bill! However, most solar installers will expect you to have a relatively new panel with at least 200 amps of service, as well as a digital electrical meter before they will proceed with installation.

Service panel upgrades typically start at 200 amps and an go up from there depending on the total load of your home and kind of appliances you have or plan to install. When you install a higher amperage of service, you're future proofing your home for EV charging, newer electrical heating and cooling, and even heating systems for a pool or hot tub!

Keep in mind: While you can potentially add new circuits or subpanels after a service upgrade to support more circuits (to a limit),  this isn't the case for your total service load (the big 100-300 amp breaker at the top of your panel.)  Think about your long term goals before settling on what level of service you'd like for your home.

Depending on where you live, different rules apply for the permitting needed to begin a service upgrade.

Utility Requirements

Typically, your electrical service is handled by either a major utility (such as PSEG LI or NYC ConEd) or a local village utility (such as Rockville Centre or Freeport Electric). During a service upgrade, your utility needs to disconnect power from the home until the new service panel is installed. We're very familiar with the process with all of the major and local utilities on Long Island and will be happy to help you through the process. 

Town/Village Requirements

On Long Island, permitting requirements vary depending on where you live and the amount of work you're looking to complete during your service upgrade. 

All electrical work must be done to code, and these codes are handled at the town (such as Hempstead or Babylon) or village (such as Freeport) level. We are a licensed and insured electrician across all of the towns and villages on Long Island, and during our consultation process we can walk you through the process and any permits you may need before beginning work on your home.

Yes! You may need a service upgrade if you're planning to install solar, a generator, or new appliances which carry higher loads.

Solar Panel Installation

Most solar panel upgrades will require service upgrades if you don't already have a panel which was installed in the last 10 to 15 years. This is due to the inverter equipment and grid connection equipment which is required with most typical solar installations. 

Generator Installation

If you're looking to gain peace of mind with a generator, you'll need to ensure your home has a service panel which can support transfer switches.  Older panels may not support transfer switches, or it may be easier (and safer!) to replace the entire service panel during the generator installation process

High Load Appliances

Depending on the kind of service and age of your service panel, you may not have available circuit space or  enough overall capacity for high load equipment . This can include things like hot tub heating systems, HVAC equipment, and EV chargers.

Keep in mind: While you can potentially add new circuits or subpanels after a service upgrade to support more circuits (to a limit),  this isn't the case for your total service load (the big 100-300 amp breaker at the top of your panel.)  Think about your long term goals before settling on what level of service you'd like for your home.