Electrical Panel Upgrades in Irvine & Orange County

BeniteX Electric provides electrical panel upgrades and replacements for homes, condos, and small commercial properties in Irvine and across Orange County. We replace old fuse boxes and outdated electrical panels, including Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Challenger models. We also upgrade 60A, 100A, and 125A services to 200A or 400A when the home's electrical needs require it.

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Call: (949) 259-5956

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Professional Panel Upgrades, Done Right

An aging or undersized electrical panel is more than an inconvenience — it’s a safety hazard. Flickering lights, warm breakers, scorch marks, and frequent trips are signs your panel can no longer keep up with modern demand. We replace fuse boxes, Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Challenger panels with new, code-compliant service equipment.

Whether you’re adding an EV charger, a heat pump, a hot tub, or simply preparing your home for the next 30 years, our team will size, permit, and install the right panel for your property.

We upgrade panels for:

What Are the Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

An old or overloaded electrical panel can create safety risks and limit the power available in your home. Here are some signs that you should have it checked.

Warning Sign	What It May Mean	Recommended Action
Burning smell, scorch marks, or a hot panel cover	Overheating or a failing connection	Treat as urgent. Stay away from the panel and contact an electrician.
Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger panel	Older equipment that may have safety concerns	Arrange an inspection and discuss replacement.
Fuse box instead of circuit breakers	Older electrical equipment with limited capacity	Have an electrician assess the system.
Breakers trip often or lights dim	Overloaded circuits, wiring issues, or limited capacity	Find the cause before adding more electrical equipment.
Adding an EV charger, heat pump, or hot tub	Your current service may not have enough capacity	Get a load calculation first.
Panel is old, rusty, or has no open spaces	Worn equipment or limited room for new circuits	Schedule an inspection.
Inspector or insurance company flags the panel	A safety or compliance concern may need attention	Review the report and plan the required work.

Not every old panel needs a full replacement. Our assessment helps determine whether you need a new panel, a sub-panel, a service upgrade, or a smaller repair.

What Does a BeniteX Electrical Panel Upgrade Include?

Every panel upgrade starts with an assessment of your existing system and your home’s electrical needs. Your written quote explains the work included in your selected package.

Electrical load calculation

We check your current electrical use and planned additions, such as an EV charger, heat pump, solar system, or battery.

New electrical panel & main breaker

We install a suitable panel from brands such as Square D, Siemens, or Eaton, based on the project requirements.

Required circuit protection

We install AFCI and GFCI protection where required by the applicable electrical code and approved scope of work.

Grounding and bonding

We check and update grounding and bonding components as needed to meet applicable code requirements.

Meter base & service equipment

If required, we include the replacement of the meter base, service mast, or related equipment in the agreed scope.

Utility coordination

We coordinate with Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), or the utility serving your property.

Request a Free Electrical Load Calculation

A Complete, Code-Compliant Service Upgrade

Should You Upgrade to 100A, 200A, or 400A?

The right electrical service size depends on your home’s power needs, existing wiring, and available utility capacity. A load calculation helps determine the best option.

Service Size	Typical Property	What It May Support
100A or 125A	Smaller homes or older properties	Basic electrical needs, depending on existing loads
200A	Many single-family homes	Common household appliances, central AC, an EV charger, and future electrical additions when capacity allows
400A	Large or all-electric homes and properties with multiple ADUs	Higher electrical demand, multiple EV chargers, pools, workshops, and additional living spaces when approved

Not every home needs a 200A or 400A upgrade. Your utility provider may also limit the available service capacity. For example, one homeowner requested a 200A upgrade, but the existing underground utility service could support only 125A. We installed a new 125A Square D panel to work within the available capacity.

Read our full 125A underground electrical panel upgrade case study.

How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in Orange County?

BeniteX Electric electrical panel upgrades start at $4,499. Our packages include the work listed in the written quote, with permits and utility coordination included as specified below.

Panel Package	Starting Price	Main Features	Workmanship Warranty
Basic Panel Upgrade	$4,499	20-space / 40-circuit panel	4 years
Standard Solar-Ready	$4,999	24-space / 42-circuit panel with AFCI and GFCI protection as specified	7 years
Premium Smart-Ready	$5,599	Panel package planned for future solar, battery, and EV needs	10 years
Smart Panel (SPAN or Leviton)	$8,199	App-based circuit monitoring and energy management features	10 years

What moves the price: whether the meter base and service mast also need replacing, overhead vs underground service, moving the panel location, sub-panels, and any utility-side work. You get a flat written quote before any work begins, and 0% financing is available for qualified homeowners with terms up to 60 months. See every tier on our panel upgrade and EV charger pricing page.

Explore 0% Financing Options

Are Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Fuse-Box Panels Dangerous?

Yes. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels have documented histories of breakers that fail to trip during overloads or short circuits, which can lead to overheating and fire. Fuse boxes predate modern protection and usually supply only 60A. Many insurers now ask homeowners to replace these panels before renewing a policy or closing a sale.

We replace them with new, code-compliant panels, usually in a single day. If your home also has original or aluminum branch wiring, our house wiring and rewiring service can bring the circuits up to the same standard as your new panel.

Think You Have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panel? Send Us a Photo for a Free Initial Review.

Which Electrical Panels and Service Equipment Do We Install?

200A Main Panels

The standard upgrade for most Orange County homes: a 200A main breaker with 20 to 42 spaces, from Square D QO, Siemens or Eaton. See our 200A panel upgrade with a Tesla Wall Connector in Irvine, where a 100A panel was replaced with a Siemens 200A solar-ready panel.

Sub-Panels

Dedicated sub-panels for garages, ADUs, pools, spas and detached workshops. We recently upgraded a home to 200A and added an outdoor spa sub-panel fed through the attic; see the 200A upgrade and hot tub sub-panel project.

400A Services and Dual Metering

For large or all-electric homes and properties with ADUs. In Tustin, we corrected an undersized setup (a 200A main and two 100A sub-panels) for two new all-electric ADUs with a 400A service and dual metering. Read the 400A dual-metering ADU case study.

Smart Panels (SPAN and Leviton)

Smart panels let you monitor every circuit from your phone, shed non-essential loads automatically, and manage solar, batteries and EV charging without a bigger service.

Who Is Our Electrical Panel Upgrade Service For?

Our panel upgrade service is designed for homeowners and property owners who need safer equipment or more electrical capacity.

Owners of older homes: Have an older fuse box, damaged panel, or electrical system that needs an inspection.
New EV owners: Check whether your current panel can support a Level 2 charger.
Solar and battery buyers: Plan your electrical service around your new energy equipment.
Homeowners switching to electric appliances: Check capacity before adding heat pumps, electric water heaters, or induction ranges.
ADU builders and property investors: Plan for additional living spaces, sub-panels, metering, and service capacity.
Home sellers and buyers: Address electrical issues identified in an inspection before closing.
Military members, veterans, and first responders: Ask about our available programs and eligibility requirements.

Upgrading your panel for an EV charger, solar or a heat pump?

A 48A Level 2 EV charger needs about 60A of dedicated capacity, and a heat pump or induction range adds another 30 to 50A. That’s why most panel upgrades we do start with a new appliance. Pair your upgrade with our EV charger installation and we’ll do both on the same permit, and if your existing charger misbehaves, our EV charger maintenance and repair team can diagnose it.

Rebates: Income-qualified Southern California Edison customers in single-family homes can receive up to $4,200 through SCE’s Charge Ready Home program when a panel upgrade is needed to install an EV charger. Irvine homes built before 1980 may also qualify for a One Irvine permit-fee holiday on sustainability upgrades. Check current terms with SCE and the City of Irvine before you apply; we provide the invoices and permit documents.

Meter Base & Service Mast Replacement

A panel upgrade often means a new meter base and service mast too — especially when going from 100A to 200A. We handle the full service-entry replacement, weatherhead to ground rod, with the correct SCE-approved meter socket and a sealed weatherproof connection.

Panel Upgrade Questions

How much does it cost to upgrade an electrical panel in Orange County?

Our starting prices are $4,499 for a basic panel upgrade, $4,999 for a standard solar-ready package, $5,599 for a premium smart-ready package, and $8,199 for a SPAN or Leviton smart panel. The final price depends on the equipment and work required. Review your written quote for the included labor, permits, and utility coordination.

Should I upgrade from 100A to 200A?

You may need a larger service if you are adding an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub, or other major electrical equipment. However, a larger panel is not always necessary. A load calculation helps determine whether your existing service has enough capacity or whether an upgrade or load-management solution is needed.

Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel?

Panel upgrades generally require an electrical permit and inspection. Utility disconnection and reconnection may also be required. We coordinate the applicable steps for your project.

How long will my power be off?

Most residential panel upgrades take 6–10 hours to complete, with power often off for around 4–6 hours during the replacement. Power is usually restored the same day when the utility and inspection schedule allow.

Are Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels dangerous?

Some models have documented safety concerns involving breakers that may fail to trip under fault conditions. An electrician can identify your panel, inspect its condition, and explain whether replacement is recommended.

Does homeowners insurance or a home warranty cover a panel upgrade?

Coverage depends on your policy, the cause of the problem, and the terms of your home warranty. Full replacement due to age or a planned upgrade is not usually covered, but you should check with your insurer or warranty provider before making a decision.

Do you offer financing for panel upgrades?

Financing with 0% interest may be available to qualified homeowners for up to 60 months. Approval, rates, and terms depend on the financing provider and current program conditions.

Are there rebates for electrical panel upgrades?

Some homeowners may qualify for incentives when a panel upgrade is needed for EV charging or another eligible energy project. Eligibility depends on the program, income requirements, property type, and current funding. Check the latest terms with SCE or the relevant local program before applying.

Same-day callbacks. Straight answers on whether your panel really needs replacing — or just a tune-up.

How Does a BeniteX Electrical Panel Upgrade Work?

Our process helps you understand the work, price, and expected timeline before installation begins.

Free assessment

We review your panel, meter base, service entry, and electrical needs. Photos can help with the initial review.

Written quote and permit

We provide a written price and explain the planned work. Once approved, we handle the required permit application.

Utility scheduling

We coordinate the planned power shutoff with the utility. Additional utility work or approval may affect the schedule.

Upgrade day

Most residential upgrades take around 6–10 hours. Power is often off for about 4–6 hours during the panel replacement, but the actual time varies.

Inspection and reconnection

We arrange the required inspection and utility reconnection. Power is usually restored the same day when all approvals and utility work are ready.

Final walkthrough

We label the circuits, review the completed work with you, and provide available permit and inspection records.

Get Your Electrical Panel Upgrade Quote Today

Whether your panel is a recalled Zinsco, a 1970s fuse box or simply too small for your new EV, BeniteX Electric will give you an honest assessment and a flat price, often from a single photo.

Get My Panel Upgrade Quote

(949) 259 5956

Area We Serve

Trusted by Homeowners & Businesses

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Zeev D 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The short answer: Should you hire BeniteX? Yes. They're knowledgeable, communicative, and fairly priced, and they handle permits and utility coordination for you. I trust reviews more when they include the good and the bad, so here's both.

BeniteX replaced our 100A Zinsco panel, a known fire hazard, with a new 200A Siemens panel. Roman (the owner) came out on short notice to quote the job, walked us through the process, and answered all of our questions. The final price matched the quote with no surprise charges, and the work comes with a 4-year workmanship warranty. Alex kept us updated through the permit and SCE scheduling, Roman was here for both the utility and city inspections, and everything passed the first time. While he was here, Roman also fixed two dead outlets in our kitchen for a small extra charge. Cleanup was good overall, though the paint on the inside of our electrical closet frame doesn't quite match.

The one real miss was the grounding. The plan called for two grounding rods along our front walkway. Because they'd be visible, we had to get HOA approval, which delayed the project by about two months. After Benitex drilled the rods into our foundation, one of their technicians found that the house already had a Ufer (concrete-encased) ground, and that's what was used in the end. The rods were never needed, so we had them cut down and buried. Checking for an existing ground up front, or asking us for the building plans, would have avoided both the drilling and the HOA wait. They took the grounding rods off the bill, but there wasn't much acknowledgment that drilling into our foundation without checking first was a mistake.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Erin Gertsen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Roman was quick and efficient! He was helpful and knowledgeable. He replaced a dimmer switch that was old and not working right with our lights. I would definitely recommend this electrician!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ron Burton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. All phases of the project were communicated and timely.  The technician doing panel upgrade worked hard, efficient and during the heat.  Stucco replacement and paint was applied and was very close to matching smooth surface,
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nick k 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I needed a 120-volt outlet installed as quickly as possible, and I’m glad I chose them! They were professional, honest, and friendly. The team arrived quickly, completed the installation efficiently, and didn’t add any unnecessary charges. Excellent service from start to finish. Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Roxanne Nguyen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is the second time I have called Benitex for a tripped-breaker and I paid $0. They are very knowledgeable and affordable. Roman was punctual, friendly and an expert in electricity ypu can trust. I highly recommend Benitex!
  
 
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   Anna 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing service! We did the entire Medical Spa electric panel with added lines. Roman is very knowledgeable and always does what he says. Very reliable. I highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jordan Diaz 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Roman was great! Was able to install my wall charger within 24 hours of reaching out to him. He was efficient, explained everything after installation, and the 2 year warranty they offer is perfect! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to get Tesla or EV chargers installed
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Paul S. 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I asked BeniteX to do a Ev charger installation and they did a great job! Great communication with Alex and transparent with pricing and the work being completed. Roman did a great job explaining electrical work and concepts that I have no knowledge about. He asked questions and confirmed all my decisions. I would recommend BeniteX to my family and friends and will definitely be reaching out to BeniteX for any electrical work I need in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Austin Alvermann 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They were so great!  They take the time to explain exactly what they’re doing, were flexible with my calendar, and handled all the permitting stuff, which would’ve been quite difficult for me to do on my own
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kevin M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Roman helped me troubleshoot a wiring issue that occurred during a power surge. He traced down the wire and found exactly what the problem was. He is diligent and professional at his trade; one of the very best. I am grateful to have encountered him and will refer him to anyone with electrical needs. Thank you, Roman!
  
 
  
  
 
 
      Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

  Fantastic job, helped me solve my electrical issue and explained how to prevent future problems. He was thorough, professional and helpful. Highly recommend and will use him again. ... Read More Great value and not crazy over priced.

Rosie Q.
4/28/2026
  Great job by Roman at Benitex Electric this morning . Arrived quickly ( within 30 minutes of my request) and completed the work in under 30 minutes. He was prompt,... Read More

Chris W.
4/27/2026
  I had to get a new dishwasher installed but my outlet was not up to code. I needed a GFCI outlet. Roman from Benitex was very prompt and informative. He... Read More

Minsu K.
4/26/2026
  I highly recommend this business.

"I was completely impressed with their professionalism and customer service."

"Efficiency and punctuality are hallmarks of their service."

Andrei D.
4/25/2026
  Roman is awesome to work with. He took over a project which previous contractor did everything wrong. He helped to coordinate with the city inspector and solar company to pass... Read More

Jessie Z.
4/20/2026
  We reached out to BeniteX with a concerning shortage and some sparkling in our garage. Roman was able to come out fast and not only did he fix the... Read More

Caroline E.
4/13/2026
  I cannot recommend BeniteX Electric enough! I've officially dubbed him the "Electrician Wizard," and after today's visit, I'm sticking by it.

He came over to tackle a complicated issue with our... Read More

Amelia R.
4/13/2026
  I am actually very glad I went with BeniteX. Roman, the technician who helped me was very knowledgeable and attentive to the work he was doing. He really... Read More

Sai Y.
4/11/2026
  Highly recommend BeniteX Electric. They were very flexible with the date/time and were able to fix my issue quickly. The tech Roman immediately knew the cause of the issue and... Read More provided reasonably priced options .

Jennifer M.
4/10/2026
The team at Benitex is fantastic. They upgraded my electrical panel and did a phenomenal job for a very reasonable price.

They were super responsive and made what could have... Read More

Anthony N.
4/09/2026

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