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Project overview
Touchstone Electric’s Charlotte team, operating out of our Matthews branch, completed a comprehensive panel and subpanel upgrade for Sonja and Gary Buckner in Gastonia, NC. On September 26, 2024, lead technician Danny Bishop installed a new 125A, 40‑circuit main-lug subpanel in the basement, replaced outdated equipment, and added new lighting and safety devices to improve capacity, reliability, and convenience.
What we installed and upgraded
- 125A subpanel (40 circuits) installed in the basement to support present and future loads.
- New 1/0 feeder routed from the exterior panel and run in approximately 1-1/2" PVC conduit along the back of the home, with proper fittings and supports.
- Old stairway fuse panel decommissioned and safely converted into a junction box; new home runs were pulled to the basement subpanel.
- Branch circuit upgrades with new NM‑B cable pulls (approx. 300 ft of 12/2 and 200 ft of 14/2) to serve dedicated and general-purpose circuits.
- Breaker lineup included standard and AFCI protection to meet current code and safety expectations:
- 20A standard breakers (qty. 20) and 15A standard breakers (qty. 5)
- Two‑pole breakers: 25A, 30A, 40A, and 50A as needed for appliances and equipment
- AFCI breakers: 15A (qty. 5) and 20A (qty. 5)
- Main service panel improvements to bring equipment up to current standards, including proper grounding, bonding, and clear circuit labeling, with surge protection added.
- Master closet lighting upgrade: new wall switch and a 2’ LED strip for brighter, more efficient task lighting.
- Life safety devices: installed six battery-powered smoke/CO detectors.
The result is a safer, cleaner distribution system with expanded capacity and modern protection throughout the home.
Permitting, inspections, and site access
We pulled the required electrical permit for this Gastonia project and coordinated inspections. Because each jurisdiction has different rules, our permit covered the electrical scope only. If a project requires non‑electrical permits (such as historic preservation, environmental, zoning, or builder permits), those are not included; we advise homeowners on any additional steps if they arise.
To route feeders and rework the legacy fuse location, select access openings were required: drywall sections in the stair area and portions of the basement’s tile ceiling were cut. As noted to the homeowner, Touchstone Electric is not responsible for drywall, paint, or tile ceiling repairs following electrical work.
Safety membership and proactive maintenance
As part of this service, the homeowners also enrolled in our annual home safety membership, which begins with a comprehensive inspection. Our team:
- Inspected the main service, grounding, and meter connections
- Evaluated panel condition, bus, terminations, and knockouts
- Tested GFCIs and other electrical safety devices
- Reviewed HVAC and major appliance disconnects
- Checked whole‑home surge protection and service disconnects
This proactive approach helps catch small issues before they become major problems, keeping homes in Gastonia safer year‑round.
Local expertise in Gastonia, NC
Whether you need a subpanel to support new appliances, an EV charger, or a basement renovation, our Charlotte team specializes in Panels & Service Upgrades and Subpanel Installation throughout Gastonia, NC. We handle planning, permitting, installation, and inspection—from feeder sizing and conduit routing to breaker selection and labeling—so you get a code‑compliant system that’s built to last.
For scheduling, a deposit is collected to reserve your project, with the balance due at completion. Our goal is a smooth, transparent process from estimate to final inspection.
Happy homeowners
Sonja and Gary Buckner praised their experience with Touchstone Electric and shared a review on Google. Read their feedback here: View the Google review.