Electrical Service Upgrades vs Electrical Panel Upgrades

The electrical system in your home has many parts that work together to function correctly. The electrical service and the electrical panel are two essential parts of that system. They each play a unique role in powering your home, but they confuse many homeowners. That can create serious problems when planning electrical additions for the home.

To help, we're here to explain the difference between an electrical service and an electrical panel and what it might look like to upgrade them. We'll explain when either needs an upgrade, how the upgrades work, and their costs.

How much does an electrical service upgrade cost?

An electrical service upgrade ranges in price depending on the amount of wire needed and the amount of other required materials, to name a few factors. The costs typically range from $1600 to $3100. There may be additional costs involved depending on your municipality. You will need your local electrical provider to temporarily disconnect your home from the power grid for this work to occur. Homeowners get one free electrical disconnect annually in many locales, but not all. Contact your hydro provider to learn of any additional costs.

The job usually needs two electricians and takes one day to complete. The process involves replacing existing service conductors, the meter base, the electrical panel, and the pipe and weatherhead that houses wiring if it isn't the correct size. Fortunately, it is a quick and straightforward process. After completion, your hydro company will reconnect your home.

The process takes one day of work and requires one electrician. The electrician shuts off the power supply while replacing the panel. They will then disconnect all breakers, fuses, and lines from circuits, replace the board, reconnect it, and install new breakers.

Understanding the difference between service and panel upgrades is crucial for homeowners. While the former expands the overall capacity of the electrical system, the latter expands and improves the safety of your power distribution. Regardless of the upgrade, you will ensure a safe, sufficient, and reliable power supply for your property.

As a licensed electrical contractor serving Southern Ontario, our team has extensive experience providing electrical service and panel upgrades. Contact us today at 1-844-667-6937, service@kraun.ca, or by filling out the form below to discuss your future upgrade needs. We offer free quotes and are looking forward to getting started!