5 Signs Your Orange County Home Needs an Electrical Panel Upgrade

When circuit breakers trip every time you run the microwave and dishwasher together, or lights dim when the air conditioning kicks on, your home is sending clear signals: your electrical panel can’t handle modern power demands.

After 20 years serving Orange County homeowners, Pelican Coast Electric sees the same pattern repeatedly. Homes built before 2000 have 100-amp electrical panels designed for a different era. Back then, homes didn’t have multiple flat-screen TVs, home offices with computers and monitors, smart home systems, electric vehicle chargers, or the dozens of devices we plug in daily.

Your Home Might Need a Panel Upgrade If:

Breakers trip frequently, especially when running multiple appliances. This isn’t just annoying. It’s your electrical system warning you it’s overloaded.

Lights dim or flicker when large appliances start. If your lights dim every time the AC compressor cycles on, your panel lacks the capacity to handle the load surge.

You’re using extension cords and power strips everywhere because you don’t have enough outlets. This usually means your home doesn’t have enough circuits, which requires panel expansion.

Your panel has fuses instead of circuit breakers. Fuse panels date from the 1960s or earlier and can’t meet modern safety codes or power demands.

You’re planning to add an EV charger, pool equipment, or home addition. Level 2 EV chargers alone require dedicated 40 to 50 amp circuits that most older Orange County homes can’t support without upgrades.

Why 100-Amp Panels Can’t Keep Up

Most homes in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Costa Mesa built before 2000 have 100-amp service. That was sufficient when homes used less electricity. Today’s homes need 200-amp service to safely power modern appliances, HVAC systems, electronics, and future additions like EV chargers.

The math is straightforward. A central air conditioner uses 15 to 20 amps. An electric dryer needs 30 amps. An electric range requires 40 to 50 amps. A Level 2 EV charger demands another 40 to 50 amps. Add computers, TVs, kitchen appliances, and smart home devices, and 100 amps runs out fast.

Safety Issues Beyond Convenience

Overloaded electrical panels create fire hazards. Wiring heats up when carrying more current than designed, degrading insulation and increasing fire risk. Homes built in the 1960s through 1980s also frequently have outdated wiring that doesn’t meet current safety standards.

California’s 2025 electrical code requires AFCI and GFCI protection in more areas than ever before. Many older panels can’t accommodate these modern safety breakers without complete replacement.

Panel Upgrades Take One Day

Pelican Coast Electric completes most residential panel upgrades in a single day. We handle all permits, coordinate with Southern California Edison for utility disconnect and reconnect, and ensure your home meets current electrical codes.

The process includes removing the old panel, installing a new 200-amp panel with modern circuit breakers, adding AFCI and GFCI protection where required by code, and providing capacity for future electrical needs.

Serving Orange County Communities

Professional electrical panel upgrades across Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and all Orange County neighborhoods.

Free Electrical Panel Assessment

Pelican Coast Electric provides free panel assessments for Orange County homeowners. We evaluate your current electrical capacity, calculate your home’s power requirements, and explain whether an upgrade makes sense for your situation.

Don’t wait until frequent breaker trips become complete electrical failure.

Contact Pelican Coast Electric Today:
Call (949) 696-6184 or visit pelicancoastelectric.com

Business Info:
Pelican Coast Electric
2901 W Coast Hwy, Ste 200, Newport Beach, CA 92663
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