200-Amp Panel Upgrade: A Complete Guide for Los Angeles Homeowners

Why 200 amps has become the new standard

Most homes built in Los Angeles before the 1990s were wired for 100-amp service. That was plenty when a household ran a fridge, a TV, and a few lamps. Today the same panel is often asked to handle a heat pump, an induction range, an EV charger, a home office, and a tankless water heater at the same time — and it can't.

A 200-amp service upgrade doubles the capacity your home can draw from the utility. More important, it replaces the aging panel and main breaker with modern, code-compliant equipment that trips reliably when something goes wrong.

Signs your panel needs an upgrade

• Breakers trip repeatedly, especially in summer
• Lights flicker when the AC or dryer starts
• The panel is warm to the touch or has a burning smell
• You still have a fuse box, or a Federal Pacific / Zinsco / Pushmatic panel
• You're planning an EV charger, ADU, solar, or a kitchen remodel
• The panel is rusted, damaged, or missing a cover

Any one of these is a reason to have a licensed electrician inspect the service. Two or more, and an upgrade is almost certainly the right call.

What actually happens during the upgrade

1. Load calculation and permit. We size the new service to your real usage (not just today, but the additions you're planning) and pull a City of LA electrical permit.
2. LADWP coordination. Power is scheduled to be dropped so we can safely replace the meter, main disconnect, and panel.
3. New panel installation. A modern 200-amp panel with copper bus bars, arc-fault (AFCI) and ground-fault (GFCI) protection where code requires, and clearly labeled circuits.
4. Grounding and bonding. New ground rods, water bond, and gas bond brought up to current NEC standards.
5. Inspection and re-energize. City inspector signs off, LADWP restores power, we walk you through the panel.

Most residential upgrades are completed in a single day, with power off for 4–8 hours.

What to look for in an electrician

• California C-10 electrical contractor's license
• General liability and workers' comp insurance
• Written estimate with a permit line item — not a "cash discount" that skips inspection
• Willingness to explain your options in plain English

The bottom line

A panel upgrade isn't a cosmetic project. It's the difference between a house that can safely power the next 30 years and one that's a fire risk sitting behind a closet door. If your service is 40+ years old, or you're adding any significant load, it's worth an honest conversation with a licensed electrician.

Not sure where your panel stands? Call A&A Electrical Services for a free on-site assessment across Los Angeles and Southern California.