If you've never had an electrical panel upgraded, the process might seem mysterious or intimidating. At AJ Long Electric, we believe informed customers are happy customers. This guide walks you through every step of a panel upgrade, from your initial call to the final inspection.
Key Takeaways
- The upgrade process includes consultation, permitting, utility coordination, installation, inspection, and reconnection.
- The outage window is confirmed after reviewing the service, utility sequence, permit and inspection requirements, equipment, and access.
- The utility company may need to disconnect and reconnect service, which requires coordination by your electrician.
- The authority having jurisdiction makes the final inspection decision.
Step 1: Initial Assessment and Quote
Every panel upgrade begins with a thorough assessment of your current electrical system. The visit length depends on the service, equipment, access, and questions that must be resolved. Our electrician will:
Need a Panel Upgrade?
Outdated or overloaded electrical panels can present safety and capacity concerns. Our team evaluates 200-amp upgrades throughout Northern Virginia and confirms scheduling after reviewing the property. Call (571) 444-6886 to get started.
Inspect Your Current Panel:
- Identify the panel brand, age, and condition
- Check for signs of overheating, arcing, or damage
- Count existing circuits and available spaces
- Evaluate the current amperage and service entrance
- Look for code violations or safety issues
Assess Your Electrical Needs:
- Discuss current electrical issues you're experiencing
- Review your plans (EV charger, addition, new appliances)
- Perform a basic load calculation
- Determine the appropriate panel size
Evaluate the Installation:
- Check service entrance condition
- Assess meter base and weather head
- Determine if utility coordination is needed
- Identify any additional work required
After the assessment, you'll receive a detailed written quote that includes all materials, labor, permits, and inspections. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Outage Preparation: After the project-specific outage window is confirmed, charge devices, move refrigerated items to coolers if needed, plan for no internet, and arrange an independent backup plan for any medical equipment. Restoration timing depends on the service condition, utility sequence, inspection requirements, equipment, and access.
Step 2: Scheduling and Preparation
Once you approve the quote, we schedule the installation around permit review, utility coordination, equipment availability, site access, and the current inspection process. We provide the project-specific work and outage windows after those inputs are confirmed.
Before Installation Day:
- We pull all necessary permits
- We coordinate with Dominion Energy for service disconnection (if upgrading amperage)
- We order any special materials needed
- We confirm your installation date and time window
How to Prepare Your Home:
- Clear the area around your electrical panel (3 feet clearance minimum)
- Move any items stored near the panel
- Plan around the project-specific outage window we confirm before work
- Charge devices, plan for meals that don't require electricity
- Let us know if anyone in your home has medical equipment requiring power
Step 3: Field Work
The confirmed arrival and outage windows appear in the project schedule after the site, utility, permit, inspection, equipment, weather, and access inputs are reviewed. The field-work sequence includes:
Setup and Disconnection
- Review the work scope with you
- Set up work area with drop cloths and protective materials
- Dominion Energy disconnects power at the meter (for amperage upgrades)
- For panel replacements at the same amperage, we turn off the main breaker
- Remove the cover from the existing panel
- Document all existing circuit connections
Removal and Preparation
- Disconnect all circuits from the old panel
- Remove the old panel from the wall
- Install new service entrance cable (if upgrading)
- Install new meter base (if required)
- Mount the new panel in position
- Install the main breaker and bus bars
Reconnection and Testing
- Connect all existing circuits to new breakers
- Install AFCI and GFCI breakers where required
- Connect the service entrance to the panel
- Install the panel cover and circuit directory
- Label all circuits clearly
- Perform continuity and safety testing
Restoration and Closeout
- Dominion Energy reconnects and energizes the service
- We verify power to all circuits
- Test all breakers and safety devices
- Walk you through the new panel
- Clean up the work area completely
- Schedule the final inspection
Step 4: Inspection
After installation, we request the required county electrical inspection. The appointment follows the jurisdiction's current queue, and the authority having jurisdiction determines whether the work is approved or needs corrections.
What the Inspector Checks:
- Panel installation and mounting
- Grounding and bonding
- Wire sizes and connections
- Breaker ratings and protection
- AFCI/GFCI installation
- Service entrance installation
- Circuit labeling
- Required clearances
We coordinate the required inspection after installation. If the inspector issues a correction notice, we review it, complete any correction attributable to our work under the written scope, and coordinate re-inspection. The authority having jurisdiction makes the final inspection decision.
Step 5: Documentation and Warranty
After passing inspection, you'll receive:
- Copy of the approved permit
- Inspection approval documentation
- Warranty information for the panel and our labor
- Circuit directory showing all circuits
- Maintenance recommendations
Timeline Summary
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Initial assessment | Depends on the service, equipment, and access review |
| Quote to scheduling | Depends on permit, utility, equipment, inspection, and access inputs |
| Installation | Project-specific work window confirmed after review |
| Power outage | Project-specific outage window confirmed before work |
| Inspection | Current authority scheduling queue |
| Total project time | Depends on site, utility, permit, inspection, equipment, and access |
Common Questions
How long will the power be off?
The outage is project-specific. We confirm the planned window after reviewing the service, utility disconnect and reconnect sequence, permit and inspection requirements, equipment, and access. Unexpected site or utility conditions can change that plan, so customers with critical loads need an independent contingency.
Do I need to be home?
We recommend being available at the start and end of the installation. Many homeowners work from a coffee shop or run errands during the power outage portion.
What if there are complications?
We assess for potential complications during the initial evaluation and include them in our quote. If we encounter unexpected issues (rare), we'll discuss them with you before proceeding with any additional work.
Is my home protected during the work?
Yes. Once we energize the new panel, your home has full electrical protection through the new breakers. During the installation, we take precautions to ensure safety.
Ready to upgrade your electrical panel? Contact AJ Long Electric at (571) 444-6886 to schedule your assessment and get started on a safer, more capable electrical system for your home.
