When Do You Need a Panel Upgrade?
Most Dallas–Fort Worth homes built before 1990 have electrical panels that are undersized for modern life. Here are the clear signs it is time to upgrade:
- Your panel is rated for 100 amps or less and your home is over 2,000 sq ft
- You have a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panel — documented fire hazard
- You have a Zinsco or Sylvania-Zinsco panel — breakers can melt onto the bus bar
- You still have an old fuse box with screw-in fuses instead of breakers
- Your breakers trip when you run the microwave and toaster oven simultaneously
Our Panel Upgrade Services
Every aspect of panel upgrades from diagnosis to final inspection is handled in-house:
- 100-amp to 200-amp service upgrades with new meter base, service entrance cable, and grounding system
- 200-amp to 400-amp upgrades for large estates, home workshops, and properties with multiple structures
- Federal Pacific (FPE) Stab-Lok panel replacement — full removal and safe disposal of hazardous panels
- Zinsco and Sylvania-Zinsco panel replacement with modern Square D, Siemens, or Eaton panels
- Fuse box to breaker panel conversion with modern AFCI and GFCI protection
Panel Upgrade Process: What to Expect
A panel upgrade is a significant project, but we minimize disruption and handle every detail:
- Step 1 — On-site evaluation: We inspect your current panel, load calculation, wiring condition, and service entrance. We determine the correct amperage and panel model for your home's needs.
- Step 2 — Written quote: A written, itemized quote with no hidden fees is provided. Quotes include the panel, breakers, permit, inspection, labor, and any necessary auxiliary work (meter base, grounding, etc.).
- Step 3 — Permit pulling: We apply for the electrical permit with your city (Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, etc.). Most permits are approved within 24–72 hours.
- Step 4 — Utility coordination: We schedule a temporary power disconnect with Oncor, TNMP, or CoServ. Power is typically off for 4–8 hours during the swap.
- Step 5 — Installation day: Our two-person crew removes the old panel, installs the new panel with all new breakers, upgrades the grounding system, and reconnects every circuit with fresh wire landing.
- Step 6 — Inspection: The city electrical inspector verifies code compliance. Clements Electric maintains a 99%+ first-pass rate.
- Step 7 — Utility reconnect and testing: Power is restored, every circuit is tested, and we walk you through your new panel's features and labeling.
Panel Brands We Trust
Panels and breakers are sourced from the industry's most reliable manufacturers. Each brand has strengths depending on your priorities:
- Square D QO — Industry standard for residential. Excellent breaker reliability, widely available, and inspectors know them well. Best overall value.
- Square D Homeline — Budget-friendly residential line. Slightly lighter-duty than QO but perfectly adequate for most DFW homes.
- Siemens — Robust engineering with excellent bus bar design. Great for homes with high harmonic loads (electronics, variable-speed HVAC).
- Eaton CH — Premium residential panel with copper bus bars and the tightest breaker connection. Best for longevity and heavy loads.
- Eaton BR — Budget-friendly alternative to CH with good reliability. Common in production home builds.
Panel Evaluation & Quote
Not sure if your panel needs upgrading? Licensed electricians at Clements Electric perform a thorough panel evaluation — inspecting your current panel, calculating your home's electrical load, identifying safety hazards, and recommending the right solution. If the panel is safe and adequate, you will hear that honestly. If it needs replacement, all costs are itemized upfront with no obligation and no pressure.
Call 817-803-4444