How to Know When Your Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade

Written By Manraj Hundel

200 AMP 240V Brand New Siemens Panel

If your home in the Lower Mainland was built before the 1990s, there's a good chance your electrical panel is overdue for an upgrade. Most older homes in Surrey, Delta, Richmond, Burnaby, and Coquitlam were wired for a fraction of the electrical demand we put on them today — and that gap can cause real problems.

What Does Your Electrical Panel Actually Do?

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. It controls how much power flows into your home and distributes it across every room. When it can't keep up with demand, you start noticing problems — and if you ignore them long enough, it becomes a safety issue.

Signs Your Panel Needs an Upgrade

Here's what to watch for:

  • Breakers that trip frequently, especially when running multiple appliances

  • Flickering or dimming lights

  • Warm, discoloured, or buzzing outlets

  • A burning smell near your panel

  • You're still on 100 AMP service

  • You're planning to add an EV charger, hot tub, air conditioning, or a home addition

Any one of these is worth a call to a licensed electrician. Multiple signs together mean you should act sooner rather than later.

Why 100 AMP Isn't Enough Anymore

A 100 AMP panel was the standard for homes built before the 1980s. Back then, a fridge, a stove, and some lights were about all a home needed. Today, between EV chargers, electric dryers, smart home systems, and high-draw appliances, most modern households need at least 200 AMP service to run safely and efficiently.

If you're planning any renovations or additions, most contractors and inspectors will flag a 100 AMP panel right away. Upgrading before you sell or renovate saves time and avoids surprises.

What Does a Panel Upgrade Involve?

A panel upgrade is typically a half to full day job. Your electrician will replace the existing panel, upgrade the service entrance if needed, and ensure everything is permitted and inspected through Technical Safety BC — which is required by law in BC.

At Hundel Electric, we handle the full process from start to finish, including pulling the permit so you don't have to worry about it.

Serving the Lower Mainland Since 2007

Hundel Electric has completed panel upgrades across Surrey, Delta, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, and the rest of the Lower Mainland. We're FSR and Red Seal Certified with over 30 years of hands-on experience.

If you're not sure whether your panel is keeping up, give us a call. We'll come take a look and give you an honest assessment.

Manraj Hundel