When Your Panel Isn’t Keeping Up
Connecticut homes built before 1980 were designed for far less electrical demand than modern households place on them. If your home still has a 100-amp service, or if your breakers trip regularly, adding circuits is impossible, or your panel runs hot to the touch — you’re likely a candidate for an upgrade.
PowerPlus Electric has been upgrading panels across Fairfield and New Haven County since 2004. We handle 100-amp, 200-amp, and 400-amp service upgrades, sub-panel additions, and straight breaker replacements. When permits are required by Connecticut law, they are pulled by the licensed contractor — we handle the process and coordinate with your utility for service reconnection.
100A, 200A, and 400A: Which Do You Need?
100-amp service is the minimum in most homes today, but older properties may still be operating on 60-amp or less — which is dangerously undersized for modern appliances. If you’re on 60-amp service, an upgrade isn’t optional; it’s a safety issue.
200-amp service is the current standard for most single-family homes. It handles central air conditioning, electric ranges, EV chargers, and the full load of a modern household without strain. Most upgrades land here.
400-amp service is the right choice if you’re running a home with heavy energy demands — multiple EV chargers, a hot tub, a large workshop, significant HVAC, or a home with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). This is also common in light commercial applications.
Pricing typically ranges from $1,800 to $5,500 depending on amperage, service type, and existing conditions. This is an estimate only — get a free on-site quote.
Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panel Replacements
If your home has a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panel or a Zinsco panel, replacement is strongly recommended. These panels have documented histories of breaker failures — breakers that fail to trip under overload conditions, creating fire risk. Insurance companies in Connecticut increasingly decline coverage or charge higher premiums for homes with these panels.
PowerPlus Electric replaces FPE and Zinsco panels regularly throughout New Haven and Fairfield Counties. We’re familiar with what inspectors look for and what utilities require for reconnection. Square D is our preferred brand — we also work with Eaton, Siemens, and any other major manufacturer.
What to Expect During a Panel Upgrade
Every panel upgrade is different, but the general process follows the same path: we inspect your current service, confirm the new amperage with you, schedule the utility disconnect, complete the work, and arrange the required inspection. In most cases, a 200-amp upgrade can be completed in a single day. The utility reconnection timeline varies by provider — UI and Eversource typically complete same-day or next-day.
You’ll be without power for the duration of the swap — usually four to eight hours. We’ll give you a clear timeline before we start.
