Electrical panel upgrades & replacements

What your electrical panel does

The panel is the metal box where power from the utility splits into the individual circuits that feed your lights, outlets and appliances. Each circuit has a breaker, or a fuse in older homes, that shuts off power when the circuit is overloaded or has a fault.

A panel replacement removes the old box and installs a new one, then reconnects each circuit to a new breaker. A panel upgrade usually means a larger panel with more breaker spaces. If your home also needs more total capacity from the utility, that is an electrical service upgrade, and we can do both in one project.

When a panel should be replaced

We recommend replacement when a panel shows heat damage, scorch marks, rust or water staining, when breakers do not reset or will not stay on, or when the home still uses a fuse box. We also replace panels that have no open spaces for new circuits, because stacking extra wires on a single breaker is not a safe fix.

A full panel is a common problem when you add equipment. A dedicated circuit for a range, dryer, heat pump or EV charger needs its own breaker space, and a new panel gives you room for those circuits and future ones.

What the job involves

We start by inspecting the existing panel, the grounding and bonding, and the condition of the wiring that enters the box. We label every circuit before the old panel comes out so each one can be reconnected correctly.

During the replacement, the power to the house is off. We install the new panel, connect each circuit to a properly sized breaker, and correct the grounding and bonding as needed. We also add the protection the current code requires for the work, such as a surge protective device when the service equipment is replaced. Depending on the code edition and the inspection authority, a panel replacement can also require an outdoor emergency disconnect. We explain any added items before work begins.

Where new or modified circuits require it, we install arc-fault and ground-fault protection. Read more about GFCI and AFCI protection.

Permits and inspection

Minnesota law requires the request for electrical inspection to be filed at or before the start of the work, and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry requires a final inspection on electrical work. Depending on your city, a state electrical inspector or the city's own inspector does the inspection. We file the request and schedule the visit. Minnesota adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code for permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026.

Do not work inside the panel yourself

Do not remove the panel cover, replace breakers or add circuits yourself. The utility supply to the panel cannot be shut off from inside the house, and a mistake can cause shock, burns or a fire. Minnesota does let an owner who lives in a single-family home with its own service do electrical work there under a permit and inspection, but we recommend a licensed electrician for all panel work.

If your panel is hot to the touch, buzzing, sparking or smells like burning, call us right away at 651-488-5555. We offer 24/7 emergency service. If you see smoke or flames, leave the house and call 911. To schedule a panel replacement, call the same number. Our electricians are licensed, background-checked and drug-tested.

Signs you need a new panel

• The panel or a breaker feels warm, buzzes or smells like burning
• You see scorch marks, rust or water stains on or inside the panel
• Your home still has a fuse box
• Breakers trip often or will not reset
• There are no open spaces for new circuits
• You are adding a heat pump, EV charger or other large appliance

Common questions

Sources

• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Electrical codes and standards (2026 NEC effective Aug. 17, 2026)
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.36 — Electrical inspections
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.33 — Licensing; homeowner exemption, subd. 21
• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Homeowner electrical permit, existing home (final inspection required)
• City of St. Paul — Residential electrical service upgrades, replacements (emergency disconnect on panel replacements)
• Electrical Contractor magazine — Residential SPD requirements for new and replaced services, NEC 230.67
• NFPA electrical safety tip sheet — warning signs
• Ready.gov — Home fires