Panel & service upgrades
Electrical panel upgrades, permitted and inspected.
Wyatt Electric replaces worn-out and overloaded electrical panels and upgrades home service, including 100-amp to 200-amp upgrades, across Harford County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City. We pull the permit, do the work to code and stay with it through the county inspection.
- ★5.0 · 12 Google reviews
- 4 Master Electricians on staff
- Licensed & insured
- Veteran owned
- 5.0 stars12 Google reviews
- Since 198640 years in business
- 4 MastersMaster Electricians
- Veteran ownedLicensed & insured
- ESGR 2010Above & Beyond Award
The short answer
When does a home need a panel upgrade?
Usually when the panel can't safely carry what you're asking of it. That might be a new EV charger, heat pump, generator or addition, or an older panel that's out of spaces or showing wear. A load calculation tells you whether you need new service or just a new panel.
- Breakers that trip often, or a panel that feels warm
- Scorch marks, buzzing or a burning smell at the panel (call us right away)
- No open spaces left for new circuits
- Adding a big load: EV charger, heat pump, generator or an addition
- An older panel brand your home inspector flagged
- Still on 100-amp service with a growing list of appliances
How a panel upgrade works
Four steps, one crew.
- 1
We look at the panel and your plans.
We check the panel's condition and add up what the house draws now and what you plan to add.
- 2
You get a price, we pull the permit.
We explain the work and the price before anything starts, then file the electrical permit with your county or the city.
- 3
We swap the panel.
The new panel goes in to code, every circuit is labeled, and we clean up before we leave.
- 4
The inspector signs off.
We handle the inspection. The job isn't done until it passes.
Permits and code
Three jurisdictions, three rulebooks.
Who can pull an electrical permit, and which National Electrical Code (NEC) edition applies, depends on where you live.
Harford County
- Who can pull the permit
- A Harford-licensed master electrician applies at the Permit Center, 220 S. Main St, Bel Air. A permit is valid for 12 months.
- Electrical code in force
- 2023 NEC, adopted in Bill 24-06. County criteria apply to applications on or after May 20, 2024.
Baltimore County
- Who can pull the permit
- Only a county-registered, licensed electrical contractor. Unpermitted work carries a $1,000 civil penalty.
- Electrical code in force
- 2023 NEC, for permits issued after August 31, 2023.
Baltimore City
- Who can pull the permit
- A contractor registered in the city's ePermits system, applying online.
- Electrical code in force
- 2020 NEC, with the city's amendments (Building Code Part III).
| Jurisdiction | Who can pull the permit | Electrical code in force |
|---|---|---|
| Harford County | A Harford-licensed master electrician applies at the Permit Center, 220 S. Main St, Bel Air. A permit is valid for 12 months. | 2023 NEC, adopted in Bill 24-06. County criteria apply to applications on or after May 20, 2024. |
| Baltimore County | Only a county-registered, licensed electrical contractor. Unpermitted work carries a $1,000 civil penalty. | 2023 NEC, for permits issued after August 31, 2023. |
| Baltimore City | A contractor registered in the city's ePermits system, applying online. | 2020 NEC, with the city's amendments (Building Code Part III). |
Harford County's own pages aren't consistent about when the 2023 NEC took effect, so confirm the edition when the permit is filed. Sources are listed at the bottom of this page.
Google reviews
What our customers say.
“Wyatt Electric has handled several projects for me, and they've been excellent every time. They did the full electrical work for an addition on my home, redid my kitchen with modern LED strip lighting, installed heaters in my porch and added a panel and outlets in my garage. On every job they showed up when they said they would, finished within the timeframe they promised, and were friendly and professional throughout. The workmanship is high quality and clean, and I've been very satisfied with the results. It's rare to find a company that does what they say they're going to do and exceeds expectations. Wyatt Electric does both, and I highly recommend them.”
“Wyatt Electric has done several jobs at my home, including a new A/C and a boiler conversion. The team did excellent, professional work, cleaned up after, and responded promptly when I had questions. Wyatt Electric gave me the most affordable quotes and has never disappointed in their quality workmanship.”
“We absolutely love Wyatt Electric. Everyone we’ve worked with has been so friendly, professional, and dependable. They show up on time, explain everything clearly, and do top-quality work every single time. It’s such a relief to have electricians we fully trust and we won’t use anyone else!”
Panel upgrade questions
Before you book.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?
Yes. Replacing a panel or upgrading service needs an electrical permit in Harford County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City. We pull it and handle the inspection.
Is there still a federal tax credit for a panel upgrade?
Not for work finished in 2026. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) covered panelboards of 200 amps or more, up to $600, but only for property placed in service by December 31, 2025.
Have Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels been recalled?
No. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission closed its investigation of Federal Pacific Electric circuit breakers in 1983 without making a safety determination, and there has never been a recall. If you have one, we can look at its condition and talk through your options.
Which electrical code applies to my home?
Baltimore County and Harford County enforce the 2023 NEC. Baltimore City enforces the 2020 NEC with its own amendments. The table above has the details.
Can I add an EV charger without upgrading my panel?
Sometimes. It depends on your service size and what the house already draws. A load calculation answers it before anyone recommends an upgrade.
How do I get a price?
Book a visit online or call 410-557-8557. We look at the panel first, then explain the work and the price before anything starts.
Where we work · Panel & service upgrades
Three jurisdictions, one crew.
Each one has its own permit office and code edition. We work in all three and pull the permits ourselves.
- Harford CountyJarrettsville, Bel Air, Fallston, Forest Hill and the rest of the county.Electrician in Harford County
- Baltimore CountyTowson, Hunt Valley, Phoenix, Monkton, Sparks and the rest of the county.Electrician in Baltimore County
- Baltimore CityRowhomes and older houses across Baltimore City.Electrician in Baltimore City
Related services and guides
Often paired with a panel upgrade.
- EV charger installationLevel 2 charger circuits, with a check that your panel can carry the load.
- Generators & backup powerBack-up generators and transfer switches so the power stays on in an outage.
- Repairs & troubleshootingTripping breakers, dead outlets, flickering lights and small jobs.
- Upgrading from 100 to 200 ampsWhen 100-amp service stops being enough, and what a 200-amp upgrade involves.
- Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panelsWhat the CPSC actually found in 1983, and practical options if your home has one.
- Zinsco panel replacementHow to spot one, the known bus-bar problems, and how a replacement is permitted and done.
- Panel upgrade tax credit in 2026The 25C credit ended with 2025. What it covered, and what that means for a 2026 upgrade.
- Which electrical code applies to my home?The 2023 and 2020 NEC editions, and which one your county or the city enforces.
- Electrical permits in Harford, Baltimore County and Baltimore CityWho can pull an electrical permit in each jurisdiction, and where to apply.
- Rowhome service upgrades in BaltimoreWhat's different about upgrading service in an older attached Baltimore City home.
Sources
- Harford County: permits, Permit Center and 2023 NEC adoption (Bill 24-06)
- Harford County Code Criteria
- Baltimore County Permits, Approvals and Inspections: electrical inspections
- Baltimore City Building, Fire and Related Codes, Part III (NEC 2020)
- Baltimore City DHCD: ePermits
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C)
- CPSC: Commission closes investigation of FPE circuit breakers (1983)
Book a visit
Tell us what's going on.
We'll take it from there.
Book online in about a minute, or call or text 410-557-8557, Monday–Friday, 7am–6pm. We confirm by text, and a licensed electrician shows up in your window.
Burning smell, sparking or no power? Don't book online. Call now: 410-557-8557