Project overview

Touchstone Electric completed a 200A panel upgrade and meter base replacement for homeowner Mara Jones in Williamston, SC. The existing service relied on an outdated fuse box and a subpanel where neutrals and grounds were bonded together. Because the subpanel was fed with SCU wiring that lacked a separate equipment grounding conductor, proper separation was not possible. Our Greenville team, working out of our Taylors branch, resolved these issues by installing a new 200-amp meter/panel combo and running a 4‑wire SER feeder so the subpanel neutrals and grounds could be correctly isolated.

Technician: Cash Divver | Category: Panels & Service Upgrades (Electrical Panel Upgrades) | Completion date: 04/30/2026

Why this upgrade was needed

Outdated fuse boxes and improperly bonded subpanels create safety and reliability concerns. In a subpanel, neutrals and equipment grounds must remain isolated to prevent stray current on grounding paths and nuisance tripping. The previous SCU feeder did not include a dedicated equipment grounding conductor, preventing code-compliant separation. Upgrading to a 200A service with a proper 4‑wire feeder ensures both capacity and compliance for the home.

What we installed

200A meter/panel combo (over/under, feed‑through lugs): Coordinated the utility power drop and handled permitting. The feed‑through lugs support a clean, code‑compliant connection to downstream equipment like a subpanel.
200A main breaker and branch breakers: New distribution including one 50A standard breaker; three 30A double‑pole breakers for large loads such as a dryer, water heater, or HVAC; and two 15A standard breakers for lighting and general circuits.
4‑wire SER feeder (2/0): New SER cable from the main to the subpanel provides separate neutral and equipment ground, enabling proper unbonded operation of the subpanel.
Riser and weatherhead assembly: Installed a new meter base riser with weatherhead using IMC conduit, straps, a roof boot, and service conductors from the new meter to the weatherhead for a safe, weather‑resistant service entrance.
Grounding electrode system upgrade: Drove an approximately 8‑ft ground rod and installed a continuous grounding electrode conductor (up to 25 ft as required) back to the main service panel for a low‑impedance fault path.
Service conductors and raceway: Added 4/0 XHHW conductors as needed and 2‑inch PVC conduit with appropriate connectors and fittings to protect and organize the new wiring.
Bonding and grounding connections: Utilized #4 bare copper for equipment grounding and bonding, ensuring a compliant and robust grounding system.

Code compliance and inspection readiness

This upgrade was planned with current inspection practices in mind. As NEC 2020 adoption increases, inspectors may require certain branch circuits to be protected by AFCI breakers. In some homes, AFCI devices can reveal preexisting issues like shared neutrals that may require additional troubleshooting. With the new 4‑wire feeder and corrected neutral/ground separation at the subpanel, the system is positioned for a smooth inspection and reliable everyday operation.

Results for this Williamston home

The home now benefits from a modern, 200‑amp service that supports today’s electrical demands—appliances, HVAC, dryer, water heater, and future additions like an EV charger. The service entrance is weather‑resistant, the grounding electrode system is upgraded, and the subpanel is properly isolated for improved safety. The work was coordinated to minimize downtime, and our team can provide a temporary generator for limited power use during future outages upon request.

Customer experience

Mara Jones praised our team in her review of this project. We appreciate the feedback and are proud to deliver safe, code‑compliant electrical upgrades for our neighbors in Williamston, SC.

Need a panel or service upgrade in Williamston?

If your home still relies on an old fuse box, or if a subpanel has neutrals and grounds bonded together, it is time to upgrade. Touchstone Electric’s Greenville team proudly serves Williamston and the surrounding area with complete meter/panel combos, grounding upgrades, riser and weatherhead installations, and properly sized feeders. Reach out today to schedule an assessment and get your home up to code.

200A Panel Upgrade & Meter Base Replacement in Williamston, SC