Electrical Panel Upgrades in Pierce County & Tacoma
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Is your home’s electrical system stuck in the 1980s? First and foremost, your electrical panel is the heart of your home. It controls the flow of power to every room. However, many homes still operate on outdated 100-amp panels or dangerous fuse boxes. If you are looking for a reliable electrical panel upgrade in Pierce County, you need a system that can safely handle modern loads.
Consequently, if you are planning to add a hot tub, install an EV charger, or switch to a heat pump, you likely need a “service upgrade.” At Papa Nick Electric, we replace outdated or undersized panels with modern, high-capacity systems.
Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade
Understandably, many homeowners don’t look at their electrical panel until something goes wrong. Here are the clear signs that it is time for a replacement.
You Still Have a Fuse Box
If your home uses glass screw-in fuses instead of flip-switches, your system is obsolete. In fact, insurance companies often refuse to cover homes with fuse boxes due to the high fire risk. Therefore, upgrading to a modern circuit breaker panel is essential for safety.
Flickering Lights and Tripping Breakers
For example, do your lights dim when the refrigerator kicks on? Or does using the microwave trip the kitchen breaker? This indicates that your panel is maxed out and struggling to distribute power effectively.
Dangerous Panel Brands (Zinsco & Federal Pacific)
Most importantly, if your home was built between 1950 and 1980, checking your panel brand is critical. Brands like Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and Zinsco have major design flaws. Unfortunately, these breakers often fail to trip during a surge.
For this reason, you should read about the dangers of FPE panels at IsMyPanelSafe.com (a trusted safety resource). If you see these names, call us immediately.
Our Panel Upgrade Services
We don’t just swap a box; we rebuild your service entry. Specifically, our upgrade package includes:
200-Amp Service Upgrades
Currently, the standard for modern homes is 200 amps. By upgrading, you gain the capacity to run high-demand appliances simultaneously without fear of overloading the system.
Meter Base & Mast Repair
In addition to the panel inside, we replace the meter base outside and repair the service mast (the pipe on your roof) if it is damaged. As a result, your connection to the utility grid is secure and watertight.
Whole House Surge Protection
Furthermore, we install surge protection directly into your new panel. This protects your expensive electronics—from computers to smart fridges—from voltage spikes coming from the grid.
Why Choose Papa Nick Electric?
Upgrading a panel is major surgery for your house. Because of this, you need a team that handles the red tape for you.
Permit Handling: We pull all necessary permits with L&I or the City of Tacoma.
Utility Coordination: We coordinate the disconnect/reconnect with Tacoma Power or Puget Sound Energy (PSE) so you aren’t left in the dark.
Superior Products: We use commercial-grade panels (like Square D or Eaton) with copper bussing for better conductivity and longevity.