Electrical Panel Upgrade
in Vancouver, WA
Your breakers trip every time you run the microwave and the dryer at the same time. The sticker inside the box is barely legible. If your home in Vancouver, WA is running on an outdated breaker panel, Newman Electric handles the electrical panel upgrade from start to finish. Ryan and the crew have done hundreds across Clark County and can usually get yours scheduled within a week.
Do You Need One?
Signs Your Electrical Panel
Needs an Upgrade
Most homeowners don't think about the breaker box in the garage until something goes wrong. If any of these sound familiar, your panel is probably telling you it's time for a panel upgrade.
Breakers trip when you run multiple appliances
Running the microwave and hair dryer at the same time shouldn't shut down half your kitchen. If your breakers trip during normal use, your panel can't handle the demand. Most homes built before the 90s have 100-amp service, and that's not enough for how we use electricity now.
You still have a fuse box
Fuse boxes were standard through the 1960s. They work, but they're not designed for modern loads. Every time a fuse blows, you have to replace it. A panel upgrade swaps the whole thing for a modern breaker panel that's safer, more convenient, and ready for today's demands.
Your panel is warm to the touch or makes buzzing sounds
A breaker box that feels warm or buzzes has loose connections or overloaded circuits. Both are fire risks. Don't ignore this one. Call us and we'll come take a look at no charge.
You're adding an EV charger, hot tub, or major appliance
A Level 2 EV charger needs a dedicated 50-amp circuit. A hot tub needs 40 to 50 amps. If your panel is already near capacity, you'll need to upgrade before the new equipment can go in. We handle both the panel upgrade and the circuit installation.
You're planning a remodel or addition
Adding a bathroom, finishing a basement, or remodeling a kitchen all mean new circuits. Your contractor will tell you the electrical panel needs more capacity, and they're right. We work with general contractors across Clark County to get upgrades done on schedule.
Your home insurance requires it
Some insurance companies won't cover homes with Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or other recalled breaker panels. Others charge higher premiums for outdated electrical systems. Replacing the panel can get your coverage back on track and lower your rates.
Lights dim or flicker when large appliances kick on
If your lights dip every time the AC compressor starts or the dryer fires up, that's a voltage drop from an undersized service. A 200-amp panel upgrade gives your home the headroom it needs so everything runs without competing for power.
You're selling your home
Buyers and inspectors notice old electrical panels. An upgraded breaker panel removes a common objection, speeds up the sale, and can increase your home's value. We've handled panel upgrades for homeowners getting ready to sell across Vancouver, Camas, and Battle Ground.
What to Expect
What Happens During
an Electrical Panel Upgrade
A panel upgrade is a full-day job, but it's not complicated when the Newman Electric crew knows what they're doing. This is how we handle every electrical panel upgrade in Vancouver, WA so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Free estimate and assessment
We come out, open up the existing panel, check the wiring, look at your service entrance and meter base, and talk through what you need. No charge for this. We'll give you a written quote before we leave.
Permits and utility coordination
We pull the electrical permit (required for every panel upgrade in Washington) and coordinate with Clark PUD or Cowlitz PUD to schedule the meter pull. You don't have to deal with any of that.
The upgrade itself
On install day, we disconnect the utility meter, remove the old breaker box, mount the new panel, re-land all your circuits on new breakers, install the required outdoor emergency disconnect, and button everything up. Power's off for most of the day, usually 6 to 8 hours.
Inspection and power restoration
We schedule the inspection with the city or L&I depending on your location. Once it passes, the utility reconnects your meter and you're done. New panel, new breakers, up to code, and ready for whatever you plug in next.
Panel Upgrade Quick Facts
1 Day
Typical install time
200 Amp
Standard upgrade size
6-8 hrs
Power off during install
Permit
Required, we handle it
Codes & Permits
Washington State Electrical Code
Requirements for Panel Upgrades
Panel upgrades in Washington are governed by WAC 296-46B, which adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) effective April 1, 2024. This is what that means for your upgrade.
Outdoor Emergency Disconnect
NEC Section 230.85 now requires an emergency disconnect installed outdoors on all one- and two-family dwellings when service equipment is replaced. This applies even if you're keeping the same amperage. The disconnect must be readily accessible and visible from the dwelling. We install this as part of every panel upgrade we do.
AFCI Protection
NEC Section 210.12 requires arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection on 15- and 20-amp branch circuits in bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, hallways, laundry rooms, and most other living spaces. If any circuits are modified during the upgrade, AFCI breakers will be required on those circuits. We'll walk you through which ones need them.
Grounding & Bonding
NEC Article 250 requires proper grounding electrode systems, including bonding all electrodes present at the building (ground rods, metal water pipe, concrete-encased rebar). The main bonding jumper connects the neutral bus to the equipment grounding bus at the service panel. We verify all grounding connections during every upgrade.
Electrical Permits for Panel Upgrades in Clark & Cowlitz County
Every panel upgrade in Washington state requires an electrical permit and inspection. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and handle the paperwork. This is how it works in our service area:
City of Vancouver
Vancouver is one of 27 cities in Washington that handles its own electrical permits and inspections. If your home is inside Vancouver city limits, we pull the permit through the city.
City Inspections: (360) 487-7890
Clark County (unincorporated)
If you live outside city limits in unincorporated Clark County, electrical permits are handled by Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I), not the county. Their Vancouver office handles all inspections.
L&I Vancouver: (360) 896-2300
Cowlitz County
All electrical permits in Cowlitz County go through Washington State L&I. No cities in Cowlitz County run their own inspection programs. The L&I Kelso office handles the area.
L&I Kelso: (360) 575-6900
For more information on Washington state electrical permits and fees, visit the L&I Electrical Permits page.
Real Reviews
What Customers Say After
Their Panel Upgrade
"Great service from beginning to end. Arrived on time and they did quality work replacing the fuse panel and mast. Definitely recommend."
Janice S.
Fuse Panel Replacement
"They were prompt, thorough, thoughtful & professional. They made a special trip back to install some extra screws. Anthony & Michael did an excellent job putting in 2 new electrical panels. Thank you"
Kari F.
Panel Installation
"These guys are top notch. I gave them a call when every other electrical contractor told me they were weeks out, Ryan and the guys came out and upgraded my panel the next day. I highly recommend Newman Electric they are setting the new standard for electrical companies in our area!"
Adrienne S.
Panel Upgrade
Common Questions
Panel Upgrade FAQs
Every job is different. The cost depends on your current panel size, the new amperage, whether the service entrance and mast need replacing, and how many circuits you have. We give free estimates so the best way to get an accurate number is to have us come look at it. No charge, no obligation.
Most residential upgrades take one full day. Your power will be off for 6 to 8 hours while we swap the panel. If the service entrance, mast, or meter base also need replacing, it could stretch into a second day. We'll tell you the timeline during the estimate.
Yes. Every panel upgrade in Washington requires an electrical permit and a post-installation inspection. We handle the permit paperwork, schedule the inspection, and make sure everything passes. Permits are issued by the City of Vancouver if you're inside city limits, or by Washington State L&I if you're in unincorporated Clark County or Cowlitz County.
A 100-amp panel was standard in homes built before the 1990s. It's enough for basic lighting, outlets, and a few appliances. But if you're running central AC, an electric dryer, a heat pump, or you want to add an EV charger, 100 amps isn't enough. Upgrading to 200-amp service doubles your capacity and gives you room for modern electrical demands without tripping breakers.
Yes. The utility needs to disconnect the meter so we can safely work on the panel. Power is typically off for 6 to 8 hours. We'll give you a heads-up on the schedule so you can plan around it. If you have medical equipment that requires power, let us know and we'll work out a plan.
Under the 2023 NEC (Section 230.85), which Washington adopted in April 2024, every panel replacement on a one- or two-family dwelling must include an outdoor emergency disconnect. It has to be readily accessible and visible from the dwelling. This is required even if you're keeping the same amperage. We install the disconnect as a standard part of every panel upgrade.
If you still have a fuse box, yes. Fuse boxes were common in homes built before the 1960s. They still work, but they're not designed for modern loads, and finding replacement fuses is getting harder. A breaker panel is safer, easier to manage (you flip a switch instead of replacing a fuse), and required by most insurance companies.
We do, and we recommend it. Federal Pacific (FPE) and Zinsco panels have a documented history of breaker failures. The breakers may not trip when they should, which is a fire risk. If you have either of these brands, give us a call. We'll come take a look and give you a quote to replace it.
Related Services
Often Done Alongside a Panel Upgrade
Whole House Rewiring
Replace old wiring throughout the home
EV Charger Installation
Add a Level 2 charger to your garage
Surge Protection
Protect your whole home at the panel
Generator Installation
Backup power with automatic transfer
Dedicated Circuits
Separate circuits for heavy-draw appliances
Electrical Repair
Fix breaker issues and wiring problems
Aluminum Wiring
Replace hazardous aluminum wiring
Electrical Inspection
Full home electrical safety check
Service Area
Electrical Panel Upgrades Across
Vancouver & Clark County
A lot of homes in the Vancouver, WA area were built in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. That means 100-amp panels, fuse boxes, and in some cases, recalled brands like Federal Pacific. Newman Electric has upgraded breaker panels in neighborhoods across Vancouver, Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, and Ridgefield. If your home's panel is more than 30 years old, it's worth having us come take a look.
Down in Cowlitz County, we see similar issues in Longview, Kelso, and Woodland. Older homes with panels that were fine for the 1970s but can't handle today's loads.
Ready to Upgrade
Your Electrical Panel?
Newman Electric will come take a look, give you a straight answer on what you need, and a written quote. No charge for the estimate. Most electrical panel upgrades in Vancouver, WA can be scheduled within a week.