Most homes built before 1990 were designed around a 100-amp electrical panel. At the time, that was sufficient. A typical household ran a refrigerator, a stove, some lights, and maybe a television. Today, the same home might have an EV charger, a heat pump, a home office with multiple monitors, and a kitchen full of high-draw appliances.
The panel hasn't changed. The load has.
Warning Signs You Need an Upgrade
- Breakers that trip frequently under normal use
- Lights that dim when appliances turn on
- A panel that's warm to the touch or has a burning smell
- Fuse boxes (not breakers) — these are a significant safety concern
- Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels — both have documented failure rates
- You're adding a major appliance, EV charger, or home addition
What the Upgrade Process Looks Like
A panel upgrade is a permitted electrical job. That means a licensed electrician pulls a permit, the work is inspected, and the permit is closed when the inspection passes. This is non-negotiable — unpermitted electrical work creates insurance liability and creates problems when you sell.
The typical process:
- Assessment — the electrician evaluates your current panel, load, and what you're planning to run
- Permit application — filed with the municipality before work begins
- Power disconnect — the utility disconnects power to the meter (usually same-day or next-day scheduling)
- Panel replacement — the old panel is removed, the new panel is installed and wired
- Inspection — a municipal inspector reviews the work
- Power reconnect — the utility restores power after the inspection passes
How Long Does It Take?
For a straightforward panel swap in an existing home, the electrical work itself typically takes 4–8 hours. The permit and inspection process adds time — usually 1–3 weeks depending on the municipality's scheduling.
If the upgrade is part of a larger renovation or involves rewiring circuits, the timeline extends accordingly.
200-Amp vs. 400-Amp: Which Do You Need?
Most residential upgrades go from 100-amp to 200-amp service. This is sufficient for the vast majority of homes, including EV charging and heat pumps. 400-amp service is typically reserved for large custom homes, properties with significant workshop or shop loads, or commercial applications.
When in doubt, go to 200-amp. It's the right size for most homes and leaves room for future loads without another upgrade.
CORE Electrical handles panel upgrades across Moncton and the Greater Moncton region. If you're not sure whether your panel needs attention, a walkthrough assessment is the right first step.
