Out With the Old: A 200 Amp Panel Upgrade in Plano, Texas
Come along with Nathan, Billy, and Jacob from ABR Electric! Today, we’re on-site in Plano, Texas, tackling a project that every homeowner with an older house should see.
We are swapping out a “dinosaur” of an electrical box—an old GE split-bus panel—and replacing it with a top-of-the-line 200 amp electrical panel upgrades.
Why Replace an Old Panel?
If your electrical panel is 40 to 50 years old, it’s likely time for it to retire. In this home, the old GE panel used a “split-bus” design. Back in the day, these didn’t have one single main breaker to shut off all the power; instead, they had “six throws of the hand.” While these were okay back then, they don’t meet today’s safety standards when you start making changes to your home.
We also keep an eye out for “red flag” panels that are known for failing or even causing fires, such as:
- Federal Pacific
- Zinsco (Stablocks)
- Challenger
If you have one of these, or if your house was built in the mid-80s (making it 40+ years old), it’s time for an inspection!
What Does a 200 Amp Panel Upgrade Cost?
We believe in being upfront about pricing. In Plano, Texas, a professional job like this usually costs between $6,000 and $8,000.
Here is exactly what you get for that price:
- The Power Upgrade: We don’t just swap the box. Since the old panel was only 150 amps, we are “upsizing” the feeder wires to make sure the home can safely handle a full 200 amps.
- New Hardware: A brand-new Eaton CH electrical panel.
- Safety First: We ensure the grounding system is perfect (this includes a cold water bond and new ground rods).
- Surge Protection: We install a PSP Vortex Series R whole-home surge protector to save your electronics from power spikes.
- Peace of Mind:* We handle all the permits and inspections. We even get a “meter release” inspection so the power company (Encore) can turn your lights back on as quickly as possible.
Warranties: Quality You Can Trust
We don’t just do the work and disappear. We stand behind our installs with some of the best guarantees in the business:
- Eaton CH Panel: Lifetime warranty.
- Vortex Surge Protector: Limited lifetime warranty.
- ABR Electric Workmanship: We guarantee our labor for 2 years.
Pro Tip: If someone quotes you $15,000 or $20,000 for a simple panel swap without moving the location of the box, you might be paying too much! Always get a second or third opinion from a local pro you trust.
See the Transformation
In the video, you can see Jacob pulling down the old circuits and getting them ready for their new home in the Eaton panel. It’s a “turnkey” process, meaning we handle the hard stuff so you can just enjoy a safer, more powerful home.
Is your electrical panel hitting its 40th birthday? Would you like me to put together a quick checklist of “warning signs” to look for in your own electrical box?