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Project overview in Durham, NC
Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch completed a comprehensive 200 amp outdoor main panel upgrade for Ground Works - Raleigh in Durham, NC. This Panels & Service Upgrades project, categorized under Electrical Panel Upgrades, was led by technician Gustavo Peralta and finalized on October 14, 2025. The scope included a new code-compliant aluminum 200A panel, fresh grounding with two rods, new standard breakers, and whole-home surge protection—complete with permitting and final inspection.
Scope of work
- 200A outdoor main panel replacement: Brought the service up to current code, grounded and bonded the panel, reconnected the service-entrance conductors, and labeled all circuits for clarity and future maintenance.
- Permitting and inspection: We handled permit submission and coordinated inspection for a smooth, compliant upgrade.
- Temporary power support: During the planned outage, our team made a generator available for limited power usage to reduce downtime.
- Grounding improvements: Installed two new ground rods and connected the grounding electrode conductor with listed clamps for secure, low-impedance fault paths.
- New breakers and surge protection: Replaced/added standard breakers and installed a whole-home surge protective device to defend connected equipment.
Note: The base panel service does not include breakers, service disconnect, feeder, or meter upgrades. On this project, breakers were provided as separate work items.
Grounding and safety enhancements
Proper grounding is essential for clearing faults quickly and protecting people and equipment. Our team:
- Drove two 8-foot ground rods and made secure, code-compliant connections to the grounding electrode system.
- Ensured conductor routing within the typical 25-foot maximum distance and used approved clamps for durable connections.
New breakers installed
- 4 × 15A standard breakers: Suited for lighting and general-purpose branch circuits, including bathroom lighting per 2020 code requirements.
- 6 × 20A standard breakers: Appropriate for small-appliance branch circuits such as kitchen and laundry receptacles.
- 2 × 40A standard breakers: Capacity for higher-demand 240V equipment such as water heaters, air condensers, spas, EV chargers, or dryers.
- 2 × 30A standard (double pole) breakers: Versatile 240V protection for mid-range loads like water heaters, air condensers, spas, or EV charging equipment.
- 1 × 20A standard (double pole) breaker: For 240V small-appliance or specialty circuits as needed.
Whole-home surge protection
We installed a panel-mounted surge protective device that diverts excess voltage safely to ground, helping protect the home’s wiring, breakers, outlets/switches, and hard-wired appliances from power surges caused by lightning, utility fluctuations, or heavy equipment cycling. The device includes a $10,000 coverage for 3 years for covered equipment in the event of SPD failure. All claims are secondary to the homeowner’s existing insurance; direct lightning strikes are excluded. Security systems and medical equipment are not included in covered equipment.
Panel warranty and future-ready capacity
The installed aluminum 200A outdoor panel carries a 20-year transferable warranty on the panel. For homeowners exploring premium options, our Copper Panel installation offers a 50-year warranty.
NEC 2020 and AFCI considerations
As NEC 2020 enforcement increases in Durham, inspectors may require upgrades to AFCI protection on certain circuits. In some homes, existing conditions—such as shared neutrals—can cause immediate AFCI tripping and may require additional diagnostic time to resolve. Our Raleigh team can test, isolate, and correct these issues to deliver a fully compliant and reliable system.
Completed by our Raleigh team
This project was completed by Gustavo Peralta and Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch, serving Durham, NC and the surrounding area with expert panel upgrades, meticulous labeling, and inspection-ready workmanship.
Customer feedback
Ground Works - Raleigh praised our work on this upgrade. Read their public feedback here: View the Google review.
Considering a 200 amp upgrade in Durham?
If you’re planning a panel replacement or service capacity upgrade in Durham, NC, our Raleigh-based electricians can help you modernize safely, pass inspection, and protect your home’s electrical system with the right breakers, grounding, and surge protection.