Electrical panel and service upgrades in Guelph
Adding a charger, a heat pump or a basement apartment starts with one question: can the panel take it? If the answer is no, a panel or service upgrade is the first step.
What we do
- Replace fuse boxes and outdated breaker panels
- Upgrade the service to 200 amps
- Install subpanels for additions, garages and secondary suites
- Replace worn main breakers and service equipment
- Update grounding and bonding
- Add the arc-fault and ground-fault protection current code calls for
- Label the panel so every circuit is easy to find
- Arrange the ESA inspection and the Alectra Utilities disconnect
Good reasons to upgrade
- The panel has fuses or is rated at 60 amps
- Every breaker slot is taken
- Breakers trip when the house is busy
- You are adding a major appliance or a suite
- Your insurer or a home inspector has asked for it
Working with Alectra
Electricity in Guelph is delivered by Alectra Utilities. For a service upgrade, Alectra disconnects the supply, the new panel and service equipment are installed, the ESA inspects and the supply is reconnected. We schedule each step and let you know in advance when the power will be off.
Licensed electricians
First Choice Electrician Guelph partners with licensed electricians. Where a job requires it, the work is filed with the Electrical Safety Authority and inspected.
Questions about panel and service upgrades
Will a bigger panel lower my hydro bill?
No. A panel upgrade changes how much power is available, not how much you use.
Do I need 200 amps for a basement apartment?
Often, yes, because a second kitchen and laundry add significant load. A load calculation at the assessment gives a definite answer.
How is the price worked out?
From what the electrician finds at your home: the size of the service, the state of the existing equipment and how much needs replacing. You get the price at the assessment.
Book an assessment for panel and service upgrades
An electrician comes to your home, looks at the job and gives you the price before any work starts.