200A Panel Upgrade and Whole-Home Surge Protection in Wilmington, NC

Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch completed a comprehensive Panels & Service Upgrades project for homeowner Emily Dashiell in Wilmington, NC. Led by technician Gustavo Peralta and completed on October 16, 2025, this job delivered a safer, code-aligned electrical system with added protection for sensitive electronics and major appliances.

After completion, Emily praised our team in her post-service review, recognizing the care and professionalism that went into this electrical panel upgrade.

Scope of Work at a Glance

Permit pulled and inspection coordination handled for full compliance within Wilmington, NC.
Main electrical panel replacement with an indoor 200A aluminum bus panel, grounded and bonded to current standards; circuits reconnected and panel fully labeled.
Whole-home surge protection installed with $10,000 / 3-year coverage for protected equipment.
Breaker upgrades to match household loads and 2020 code readiness:
- 1x 30A Double-Pole (for large loads such as dryer, water heater, condenser, spa, or EV charger)
- 1x 30A Single-Pole (appliances)
- 7x 20A Standard (small appliance circuits)
- 1x 15A Standard (bathroom lights and standard branch circuits)
- 1x 25A Double-Pole (small condenser, well pump, or mini-split)
- 1x 100A Double-Pole (subpanel)
Grounding system enhanced with a new driven ground rod and grounding electrode conductor.
Feeder and raceway improvements: approximately 35 ft of 2/0 THHN conductors and 35 ft of 2" PVC conduit with fittings as applicable.

Safety, Code, and AFCI Readiness

The new 200A panel was brought up to current electrical code, with proper grounding, bonding, and clear circuit labeling for future service. As inspectors in our area adopt NEC 2020, they may require certain circuits to use AFCI breakers. AFCIs can trip if there’s a preexisting condition—such as a shared neutral—on an affected circuit. In those cases, diagnosing and correcting wiring issues can require additional time to locate and separate shared neutrals. Our team prepared the installation with these requirements in mind and communicated expectations to the homeowner.

To minimize inconvenience, power was shut down only as long as necessary for the changeover, and we made a generator available for limited power use during the outage.

Surge Protection That Safeguards Your Home

The installed whole-home surge protector deflects excess voltage to ground, helping protect the electrical system and covered appliances from spikes due to lightning activity, utility fluctuations, or equipment cycling. The device includes a $10k / 3-year warranty for covered equipment when the surge protector is properly connected.

Important notes about the coverage: claims are secondary to your existing insurance policy, direct lightning strikes are excluded, and certain items—such as security systems and medical equipment—are not covered. Coverage may include major appliances, HVAC equipment located inside the home, hard-wired devices, wiring, and electrical components as defined by the surge protector’s terms.

Quality You Can Count On

Signature Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty included with this installation.
The aluminum bus main panel carries a 20-year transferable manufacturer warranty.
Local expertise from our Raleigh branch, proudly serving Wilmington, NC.
Project delivered by a dedicated pro: Gustavo Peralta.

Whether you need a full Electrical Panel Upgrade or targeted Panels & Service Upgrades, our team ensures your home’s electrical system is safe, organized, and prepared for today’s power demands.

Serving Homeowners in Wilmington, NC

If you’re planning a 200A panel replacement, considering surge protection, or preparing for NEC 2020 updates, Touchstone Electric provides permitted, inspected installations that put safety first. This Wilmington project is a clear example of our careful planning, clean execution, and commitment to long-term reliability.

200A Electrical Panel Upgrade & Surge Protection in Wilmington, NC