D. Z. Summers Electric

Electrical panel upgrades in Ephrata and Lancaster County, PA

Your panel is where every circuit in your home starts. Many homes in our area still run on 60- or 100-amp service, an old fuse box, or a panel that’s past its prime. We upgrade panels so your home can handle what you plug into it today.

Signs it’s time to upgrade

  • Breakers trip often, or lights dim when large appliances start
  • You still have a fuse box
  • You’re adding an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub, or an addition
  • Your panel is an older brand with a documented history of problems, such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco
  • The panel is rusty, buzzing, warm to the touch, or has scorch marks. Call us promptly, and if you smell burning or see smoke, get everyone out and call 911

What we do

  • Check your service size and electrical load
  • Replace the panel or upgrade the service, commonly to 200 amps
  • Install new breakers and label every circuit clearly
  • Check grounding and bonding
  • Walk you through the utility and inspection steps
  • Add whole-home surge protection if you want it

Panel upgrade or subpanel?

If your main panel is in good shape but full, a subpanel can add room for new circuits and may cost less than a full upgrade. If the service itself is too small, a new panel is the right fix. We’ll tell you which one fits your home.

What to expect

A panel upgrade means the power is off for part of a day, and it involves your utility and an inspection. We’ll explain the timeline before we start so you can plan around it.

What happens next

  1. Send a photo of your panel with the door open, or call and tell us what you’re planning.
  2. We give you a free quote and explain your options.
  3. We schedule the work, handle the upgrade, and walk you through the result.

Common questions

How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?

The signs above are the most common. If you’re not sure, send us a photo of the panel with the door open and tell us what you’re planning to add.

How long will the power be off?

Usually for part of a day, depending on the job. We’ll confirm timing with you before we start.

Do I need a permit?

Panel work almost always needs a permit and inspection. We’ll tell you what your municipality requires.

Is a 200-amp panel enough?

For most homes, yes. If you have electric heat, a large workshop, or more than one EV charger, we’ll run the numbers to see whether you need more.

Get a free quote

Tell us what you need and we’ll reply by phone or text with next steps.

A photo of your panel or the area you want worked on helps us quote more accurately.

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