Main Electrical Panel Upgrades in San Jose, CA
200-Amp & 400-Amp Panel Replacement by Licensed Electricians
Your electrical panel is the control center of your home. When it’s outdated, undersized, or failing, every system connected to it is affected — from lighting and appliances to EV chargers, solar equipment, and future upgrades.
Dollens Electric provides professional main electrical panel upgrades for homeowners throughout San Jose and Santa Clara County, delivering safe, code-compliant installations designed for modern electrical demand. We manage the entire process in-house, including permits, inspections, and coordination with PG&E, so there are no gaps, shortcuts, or surprises.
Call Now (408)929-6100
Why San Jose Homes Often Need Electrical Panel Upgrades
Much of San Jose’s housing stock was built long before today’s electrical loads were standard. Neighborhoods such as Willow Glen, Cambrian, Almaden, Berryessa, Evergreen, and the Rose Garden contain thousands of homes originally designed for minimal power usage.
Over time, homeowners add central air, updated kitchens, home offices, EV chargers, solar systems, and ADUs — all of which place demands that older panels were never designed to handle. The result is an electrical system that may function day-to-day, but operates closer to its limits than most homeowners realize.
A properly sized panel upgrade restores safety margins, reduces failure risk, and allows your home to evolve without electrical bottlenecks.
Signs Your Electrical Panel Is Unsafe or Outdated
Circuit breakers trip frequently or unpredictably
Lights dim or flicker when appliances start
Burning smells, buzzing sounds, or warm breakers
Visible corrosion, rust, or damage inside the panel
Presence of Zinsco, Federal Pacific (FPE), or fuse panels
A main service rated at 100 amps or less
Upgrade requirements triggered by solar, EV, or remodel permits
These issues are not cosmetic. They indicate increased fire risk and reduced system reliability.
Licensed Electrical Panel Upgrade Contractor in San Jose (C-10, B, C-46)
Dollens Electric holds multiple California contractor licenses that allow us to perform main electrical panel upgrades safely, legally, and without subcontracting.
• C-10 Electrical Contractor License — Required for service upgrades, panel replacements, load calculations, grounding, and utility coordination
• B – General Building Contractor License — Required when panel upgrades involve wall modifications, service relocation, or structural access
• C-46 Solar Contractor License — Ensures panel upgrades are compatible with existing or future solar and battery systems
Many contractors are limited to basic panel swaps. As a fully licensed electrical and building contractor, we can correct underlying service issues, code violations, and capacity limitations that cause inspection failures or future upgrade problems.
Choosing the Right Panel Size for Your Home
Panel upgrades are not one-size-fits-all. The correct service size depends on how your home uses electricity today — and how you plan to use it in the future.
Most San Jose homeowners upgrade to a 200-amp panel, which supports modern appliances, EV charging, and solar systems comfortably. Larger homes, properties with ADUs, or households planning multiple EV chargers or battery storage may require 400-amp service to maintain proper load balance and code compliance.
At Dollens Electric, we evaluate existing load, future plans, and local code requirements before recommending a panel size. The goal is to upgrade once — not revisit the panel again in a few years.
Recent Electrical Panel Upgrades in San Jose
Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in San Jose
Panel upgrade costs in San Jose vary based on technical and site-specific factors rather than a single flat rate. Pricing is influenced by panel size, existing wiring condition, meter location, grounding requirements, and the level of coordination required with PG&E.
Older homes may require additional corrections to meet current electrical code, while newer homes often involve more straightforward replacements. Once we assess your system, we provide clear, upfront pricing with no ambiguity about what is included.
In San Jose, most 200-amp panel upgrades fall within a predictable range once the home is evaluated, while 400-amp upgrades are typically higher due to service and utility coordination.
Permits, Inspections & San Jose Code Compliance
Electrical panel upgrades in San Jose require permits and inspections — and those requirements are actively enforced.
Dollens Electric handles:
City of San Jose permitting
Santa Clara County inspection coordination
PG&E service disconnect and reconnection
Final inspection approval and documentation
All work is performed to current California Electrical Code and local amendments. This protects not only your home, but also your insurance coverage and resale value.
Panel Upgrades for EV Chargers, Solar & Battery Systems
Many homeowners first encounter panel limitations when planning an EV charger, solar installation, or battery backup system. These upgrades require verified load capacity and proper service sizing to pass inspection and operate safely.
We design panel upgrades with electrification in mind, ensuring your system can support current installations and future additions without repeated electrical work.
Why Homeowners Trust Dollens Electric
Homeowners throughout San Jose and Santa Clara County choose Dollens Electric because our work is methodical, transparent, and built to last. Panel upgrades are safety-critical projects, and we approach them with the level of care they deserve — from planning and permitting to final inspection.
Our electricians are licensed, insured, and experienced with the unique challenges of older Bay Area homes. We don’t rush upgrades, and we don’t leave decisions unexplained.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Panel Upgrades
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most panel upgrades are completed in a single day, depending on inspection timing and PG&E coordination.
Will my power be shut off?
Yes, temporarily. We coordinate outages to minimize disruption and restore service the same day whenever possible.
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
In many cases, yes. We perform a load calculation to confirm capacity before installation.
Are Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels dangerous?
Yes. These panels are widely documented for failure risks and should be replaced.
Schedule a Main Electrical Panel Upgrade in San Jose
If your home requires a panel upgrade — whether for safety, compliance, or future electrical plans — Dollens Electric provides professional, code-compliant solutions you can trust.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation or request an estimate for a main electrical panel upgrade in San Jose or Santa Clara County.
Call: (408) 929-6100 or Book Online
Trusted San Jose Electricians • Family-Owned • Licensed & Insured
Serving San Jose | Santa Clara | Cupertino | Sunnyvale | Campbell | Los Gatos | Saratoga | Mountain View | Morgan Hill | Gilroy | Los Altos | Surrounding South Bay Areas
Dollens Electric Offers a 10 Year Warranty on new panel installations and new circuit breakers when installed with panels.
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