200-Amp Service Entrance & Panel Installation in Vancouver, WA
We put in the whole 200-amp electrical service for a new home in the Felida neighborhood of Vancouver, WA: a recessed meter main, a 40/80-space Eaton panel with built-in surge protection, and a 240-foot underground service run.
Service Size
200 amp
Panel
Eaton 40/80-space MLO
Underground Run
240 ft of 4/0 URD
Code
NEC 2023 + WAC 296-46B
Scope of Work
- Put a recessed 200-amp meter main on the outside wall
- Put in a 40/80-space Eaton panel with a built-in whole-house surge protector
- Ran 85 feet of 4/0 SER cable for the service entrance
- Ran 240 feet of 4/0 URD underground from the utility connection
- Drove two copper-clad ground rods per NEC 250
- Bonded the gas piping per NEC 250.104
- Left it sealed and ready for Clark PUD to set the meter
We put in a full 200-amp service entrance and panel for a new home in the Felida neighborhood of Vancouver, WA. We handled the service side of the electrical: the recessed meter main, the Eaton panel with a built-in whole-house surge protector, and the full grounding system.
Why a 240-foot underground run
Felida lots are often set back a long way from where the utility connects, which means long, deep trenches from the transformer to the meter. Running 4/0 URD for 240 feet keeps voltage drop well within NEC guidance, even at a full 200-amp load.
On a new build, getting the wire size right from the start matters. If the service wire’s too small, the owner lives with voltage drop on heavy loads (lights dipping when the heat pump starts, the EV charger slowing down) for decades. Going a size up once is always cheaper than fixing it later.
Why the 40/80-space panel
The Eaton 40/80-space panel gives the house plenty of breaker space for everything a new home needs now, plus years of additions:
- Heat pump or mini split circuits
- A Level 2 EV charger (40 or 48 amp)
- Hot tub wiring
- AFCI protection on living-space circuits per NEC 210.12
- GFCI on kitchen and bathroom circuits per NEC 210.8
- Dedicated appliance circuits
Running out of panel space in a brand-new house is a planning mistake. This panel has room for whatever the owner wants to add five years from now.
Why the built-in surge protector
The Eaton surge protector at the top of the panel is the NEC 230.67 whole-house surge protector Washington started requiring in April 2024 with the 2023 NEC. Every new home service in Washington now needs whole-house surge protection at the service. Getting it built into the panel instead of added on is the cleanest way to do it, and it passes inspection the first time.
What’s next
With the meter main sealed and the “Leave This Shield In Place Until Meter Is Installed” cover on, it’s ready for Clark PUD to set the meter. After that the house gets power and the finish electrical starts: outlets, switches, lights and appliances.
Building new around Vancouver? We work with contractors and builders on new construction from the service entrance through final trim. Call 360-828-7143 or ask for a free estimate to talk about your build.
Materials
Recessed 200-amp meter main 40/80-space MLO panel (Eaton) 1× whole-house surge protector (Eaton) 2× copper-clad ground rods 1× gas bond 85' of 4/0 SER cable 240' of 4/0 URD cable
Real Reviews
What customers say about our panel upgrade work
Newman installed a Tesla Wall Charger at my home. They were quick, professional, and trustworthy. I ran into an issue a few days after the work was done and they came back right away and made it right.
We recently purchased a different house that had an electric range and we wanted a gas range. We went to go about replacing it. Ordered the new range, got a gas line installed. At the last minute we realized we would need a new plug in to supported a 120 connection. I called the people doing the gas line to get a recommendation for an electrician, they suggested Newman Electric. And boy, am I ever glad they did! I called the number they gave me and was connected to Ryan. He was one of the most responsive, nice people I have ever communicated with. He sent people out the next day. They did a great job! They created the new connection and we are now ready for our new range that's being delivered in 2 days. Awesome customer service! Highly recommend this company. I know they will be our go to for any further electrical issues. Thank you Ryan!
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Newman Electric serves Vancouver and the rest of Clark and Cowlitz County, WA. Free estimates on every job.