A panel upgrade replaces the existing breaker board with a new main service panel, typically moving from a 60 or 100 amp board to a 200 amp unit with modern circuit breakers, copper bus bars, and grounded neutrals. In Wichita Falls, many older properties still run on outdated fuse boxes or panels with discontinued breaker models, which creates a fire risk when air conditioners run through July and August. The work includes verifying the service entrance cable, installing a new main breaker, and bonding the neutral bar to the panel enclosure. We match the panel size to the calculated load so the system handles central heat, EV chargers, and workshop tools without nuisance tripping.
Hot summers and cold winters with high winds in Wichita Falls dictate where a panel can safely live and how it must be sealed. An outdoor meter base and disconnect need weatherproof gaskets and a drip loop to keep driving rain from tracking into the enclosure during spring thunderstorms. In neighborhoods like Lake Wichita and Southside, panels mounted on exterior walls face more temperature swing than interior garage installations, so we check for condensation and thermal expansion on the bus bars. We also verify that the grounding electrode system is intact, because dry Wichita County soil can increase ground resistance and reduce fault clearing speed.
Property age across Downtown Wichita Falls, University Park, and Lake Wichita often means original wiring from the mid-century is still in place, with cloth-covered conductors and undersized raceways that cannot support a modern panel without remediation. Before swapping the board, we inspect the service entrance cable for degraded insulation and check whether the existing conduit can handle the larger conductors required for a 200 amp service. Landmarks like the Kell House Museum and Memorial Auditorium sit in older districts where preservation rules may affect how new conduit is run, so we plan routes that avoid surface-mounted raceways where possible. The upgrade also adds arc-fault and ground-fault protection where current code requires it.
Safety is the controlling factor on every panel swap. We de-energize the service at the meter, confirm zero voltage with a meter before touching bus bars, and use insulated tools rated for the available fault current. After installation, the panel must pass inspection by the authority having jurisdiction in Wichita County before the utility reconnects power. We do not claim to be licensed or certified. We are locally owned and owner-operated, and we provide upfront quotes so you can inspect the workmanship before paying. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.
Technician insight
In Wichita Falls, the thing that catches most people out with a panel upgrade is the condition of the service entrance cable running from the meter to the board. Older homes in Downtown Wichita Falls and University Park often have brittle insulation or undersized wire that cannot safely feed a 200 amp panel, so the cable has to be replaced before the new panel goes in. High winds and temperature swings also loosen lug connections over time, which is why we torque every bus bar screw to spec and check the meter base seal before we leave.
Southside Bungalow Panel Swap
A homeowner in Southside called after their breaker kept tripping whenever the central air and oven ran together. We found a 60 amp fuse box with cloth-covered wiring and a degraded service entrance cable that could not support a modern load. We replaced the panel with a 200 amp breaker board, ran new service entrance conductors, and updated the grounding before scheduling the county inspection and utility reconnect.
Electrical Panel Upgrade Services We Offer
✓Main Breaker Panel Replacement
Replacing an outdated main breaker panel restores full capacity and eliminates the risk of failed breakers that no longer trip during an overload. We size the new panel to the calculated load so central air and electric heat in Wichita Falls homes run without nuisance trips.
✓Sub Panel Installation
Adding a sub panel in a detached garage or workshop keeps branch circuits close to the load and reduces voltage drop on long runs. This is common for Lake Wichita properties with outbuildings and for homeowners adding EV chargers or shop equipment.
✓Fuse Box to Circuit Breaker Conversion
Converting an old fuse box to a modern breaker panel removes the fire hazard of mismatched fuses and makes resetting a tripped circuit simple. We replace the entire enclosure and update the grounding to current standards.
✓200 Amp Service Upgrade
Moving from a 60 or 100 amp service to 200 amps gives older Southside and University Park homes enough capacity for modern appliances, air conditioning, and electric vehicle charging. The upgrade includes new service entrance conductors and a larger main breaker.
✓Outdoor Disconnect and Meter Base Repair
Repairing or replacing a weathered outdoor disconnect protects the panel from wind-driven rain and temperature swings common in Wichita County. We install gasketed enclosures and verify the meter socket is secure before energizing.
✓Arc Fault and Ground Fault Breaker Installation
Adding AFCI and GFCI breakers protects bedrooms and wet areas from arcing faults and ground leaks that standard breakers miss. This is often required during a panel upgrade to meet current safety expectations.
✓Generator Transfer Switch Integration
Wiring a transfer switch into the upgraded panel lets a portable or standby generator power critical circuits safely without backfeeding the grid. We size the switch to the panel rating and test the load shed sequence.
How it works
- 1
Site Assessment and Load Calculation
We inventory every major appliance, calculate the total load, and inspect the existing service entrance cable and grounding electrode system before recommending a panel size.
- 2
Permit and Utility Coordination
We handle the permit paperwork with the authority having jurisdiction in Wichita County and coordinate with the utility for a temporary power shutdown during the swap.
- 3
Panel Removal and Installation
The old panel is de-energized, removed, and replaced with a new main breaker panel, breakers, and bus bars, with all circuits transferred and labeled.
- 4
Inspection and Energization
After the installation passes local inspection, we coordinate reconnection with the utility and verify voltage, polarity, and breaker operation on every circuit.
- 5
Final Walkthrough and Cleanup
We review the new panel directory with the property owner, remove all debris, and confirm the work area is clean before leaving the jobsite.
Pricing
Panel upgrade cost depends on the amperage of the new panel, the condition of the existing service entrance cable, how much demolition and conduit work is required, and whether the utility must coordinate a power shutdown. Access to the panel location and any needed grounding repairs also affect labor hours. We provide upfront quotes based on an on-site evaluation rather than a flat rate.