Service (PG&E Panel) and Subpanel Replacements

There are several main reasons to replace or upgrade a service panel.

1. Your existing fuse/breaker panel has been damaged beyond repair or is obsolete.
2. You need additional capacity (more amperage) for items such as a hot tub, kitchen upgrade, addition or other.
3. Additional capability (more circuits) for #2 above or others.
4. Your outlets are ungrounded and you want more outlets and/or many grounded outlets.
5. You want/need (or are required by your insurance) to change or upgrade the electrical service (common with fuses).
6. You plan to sell your house and want to add value

Due to the many new codes and local requirements, this can be a very intensive ( and expensive) undertaking.
Remember, however that the service panel is the very start of the electrical system.
If it is as large and as robust as possible, this will help you in the long run (you don't want to do this twice!).

Types of PG&E Connections:
There are 2 basics type of PG&E laterals (that is, how your house is connected to PG&E):

Overhead Service Lateral
This service is connected to the PG&E pole through cables that are in the air.
This allows you to upgrade rather easily with the least additional cost.
PG&E may charge you for a new drop (lateral) from the pole to the house.

Underground Service Lateral
This service is connected to PG&E through underground conduit to a nearby junction box or directly buried cable.
Since you are the one to bear the cost of the underground cable/conduit upgrade, this job is usually considerably more expensive.
Although, the new service (not counting the underground line) itself may cost somewhat less that an overhead type.

How long will we be off?
When changing an overhead or underground service, PG&E disconnects the power and, after inspection, reconnects it.
This can mean a loss of power ranging from 1-2 days.

Contact us (secure email) for more discussion and/or a free estimate or call us

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Subpanels, Additions/Replacements

There is usually at least one subpanel in the home, sometimes there are several.

In older homes, they are often found in closets. This is not acceptable by today's code (due to fire hazards)
and should be changed.

It is quite common to install subpanels in basement/garage areas for the kitchen area
and the rear outside to support the spa and/or pool.

The reasons to replace a subpanel would be much the same as the service panel, that is:

1. Your existing fuse/breaker subpanel has been damaged beyond repair or is obsolete.
2. You need additional capacity (more amperage) for items such as a kitchen upgrade, addition or other.
3. Additional capability (more circuits) for #2 above or others.
4. You want/need (or are required by your insurance) to change or upgrade the subpanel along with the
   electrical service (common with fuses).
5. You plan to sell and house and want to add value.

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