Electrical Panel Upgrade Las Vegas | Modernize Your Power
Your 1995 panel wasn't designed for two AC units, a pool pump, an electric car charger, and modern appliances running simultaneously. Most Las Vegas homes built before 2005 have 100-amp or 125-amp service. That's not enough for today's electrical demands.
High-Capacity Service Upgrades for Modern Las Vegas Homes
Upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp service gives you capacity to run modern loads without tripping breakers. A 200-amp panel handles dual-zone HVAC, pool equipment, EV charging, and high-draw appliances simultaneously. For homes with multiple EVs, 400-amp service provides headroom for expansion.
We perform load calculations per NEC Article 220. We size service entrance conductors appropriately—typically 2/0 aluminum or 4/0 copper for 200-amp service.
Upgrading to 200 Amp Service for EV Charging & Modern Loads
A Level 2 EV charger pulls 40 to 50 amps. Two vehicles require 80 to 100 amps for charging alone. Add two AC units pulling 30 amps each, a pool pump pulling 15 amps, an electric water heater pulling 20 amps, and you're over 100-amp capacity.
We install 200-amp main panels with 40 to 42 circuit positions. We coordinate with NV Energy to upgrade your meter base. We verify grounding meets code.
EV chargers require dedicated circuits. A 50-amp charger requires 6 AWG copper and a 50-amp breaker.
Main Breaker Box Replacement & Bus Bar Repair
Old panels fail from thermal stress. Bus bars develop pitting where breakers connect. Copper oxidizes and creates high-resistance connections that generate heat.
Federal Pacific (FPE) panels are common in Paradise, Winchester, and East Las Vegas homes from the 1960s and 1970s. These panels have documented failure rates. Breakers fail to trip under fault conditions—a "no-trip" failure mode. When circuits overload, breakers don't interrupt current. Wire overheats. Fire starts. In desert heat with continuous loads, FPE panels are catastrophic risks.
Zinsco panels have similar issues. Aluminum bus bars corrode. Breakers weld to the bus. They stop functioning as overcurrent protection.
We replace these panels with modern equipment rated for continuous duty. We install panels with proper AIC ratings—typically 10kA or 22kA. We verify proper torque on all connections.
Smart Panel Installation: Real-Time Energy Monitoring
Smart panels provide circuit-level monitoring. You see which circuits consume the most power. You identify phantom loads. You track peak demand and shift usage to off-peak hours.
We install smart panels with integrated monitoring that connect to your network. You can shut off circuits remotely and set usage limits.
Smart panels help manage NV Energy's peak demand pricing. When you know which circuits run during 1 PM to 7 PM peak hours, you can reduce monthly costs.
Is Your Current Panel a Fire Hazard? Signs You Need an Upgrade
Panel failures develop over time through thermal cycling and mechanical stress. These warning signs indicate imminent failure.
Identifying Scorched Breakers & Thermal Damage
Open your panel and look for discoloration. Brown or black marks indicate overheating. Melted plastic means thermal runaway. Discolored bus bars show high-resistance connections.
A humming sound indicates loose connections vibrating under load. This loosens the connection further, increasing resistance and heat.
Scorched plastic smell means insulation is burning. This requires immediate shutdown.
Breakers hot to the touch are operating beyond capacity. A breaker should never be hot. Hot indicates too much current or internal resistance.
Breakers that trip frequently indicate overloaded circuits or failing breakers. If the same breaker trips repeatedly, the circuit is undersized or the breaker has lost calibration.
Why 100 Amp Service Fails During Las Vegas Summers
A 100-amp service provides 24,000 watts. In practice, you're limited to 80% for continuous loads—19,200 watts.
Two 5-ton AC units pull 40 amps running continuously. An electric water heater pulls 20 amps. A pool pump pulls 15 amps. An electric dryer pulls 24 amps. An electric range pulls 40 amps. You've exceeded 100-amp service with just major appliances.
Las Vegas AC units run 18+ hours daily from June through September. This continuous high-amperage draw creates heat in the panel. Connections expand during the day and contract at night. This thermal cycling loosens mechanical lugs. Loosened lugs increase resistance. More heat. The cycle accelerates.
Panels rated for 100 amps at 40°C ambient have reduced capacity at 50°C+ temperatures in Las Vegas garages. Your 100-amp panel might only safely handle 80 amps in actual desert conditions.
The Panel Upgrade Process: Permitting to Power-On
Panel upgrades require permits from Clark County or the City of Las Vegas. We handle the entire permitting process, submit load calculations and specifications, and schedule inspections.
Coordinating with NV Energy & Clark County Building Inspectors
Service upgrades require NV Energy coordination. They disconnect your meter before we work on the service entrance. They verify the new installation before reconnecting power. This is the "pull and save" process.
We schedule the meter disconnect. We complete the panel installation. We call for inspection. Once inspection passes, we schedule NV Energy to reconnect your meter.
The inspection verifies proper grounding, bonding, overcurrent protection, and code compliance. We ensure everything passes on the first inspection.
Precision Load Calculations for Multi-AC Homes
Load calculations determine your service requirements. We calculate square footage loads at 3 watts per square foot. We add kitchen circuits at 1,500 watts each. We calculate nameplate ratings for HVAC, water heater, range, and fixed appliances.
We apply demand factors per NEC Table 220.42 for lighting and receptacles. We do not apply demand factors to AC loads in Las Vegas—these run continuously at 100%.
For homes with multiple AC units, pool equipment, and EV chargers, total calculated load often exceeds 150 amps. A 200-amp service provides adequate capacity with room for expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Panels in the Desert
How much does a 200 amp panel upgrade cost in Las Vegas?
A complete 200-amp panel upgrade costs between $3,500 and $6,500 depending on complexity. This includes the new panel, service entrance conductors, meter base if needed, grounding upgrades, permit fees, and NV Energy coordination. Costs increase if your service drop needs upgrading, if we're replacing Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, or if your main disconnect is far from the meter. We provide detailed written estimates.
How long will my power be off during the service upgrade?
Total power outage is typically 6 to 8 hours. NV Energy disconnects your meter in the morning. We complete the installation and call for inspection. Once inspection passes—usually same day—NV Energy reconnects your meter. Power is restored by late afternoon. For complex upgrades requiring extensive rewiring, outages can extend to 10-12 hours. We schedule upgrades during mild weather when possible. We work efficiently to restore power quickly while maintaining quality and code compliance.
Do I need a permit to replace my breaker box in Nevada?
Yes. Any service panel replacement requires a permit from Clark County or the City of Las Vegas. Permits cost approximately $150 to $250. The permit verifies the installation meets National Electrical Code requirements. Working without permits risks failed inspections during home sales, insurance complications if electrical fire occurs, and violations requiring expensive corrections. We pull permits for all panel upgrades and coordinate inspections.