Call 855-502-2244
200A Electrical Panel Upgrade in Charlotte, NC
Completed December 19, 2025 — Our Charlotte branch (Matthews) replaced an aging 200-amp aluminum-bus main panel for homeowner Chris Litchfield in Charlotte, NC. Lead technician Christian Cedillos brought the home’s service equipment up to current code, added modern safety protection, and installed a whole-home surge protector for comprehensive protection.
Service categories: Panels & Service Upgrades • Electrical Panel Upgrades
What We Upgraded
- 200A main panel replacement (aluminum bus) — Removed the outdated panel and installed a new indoor-rated 200A panel. We grounded and bonded the panel, reconnected the service entrance conductors, reconnected existing branch circuits, and clearly labeled the new panel for easy reference. Permitting and inspection were included.
- Breaker upgrades and code-required protection — We replaced all breakers and added AFCI protection on 120V circuits where required by code, plus GFCI protection where applicable for enhanced safety.
- Whole-home surge protection — Installed a surge protective device to help safeguard sensitive electronics and appliances from power surges. This installation includes a surge protector with $10k warranty coverage, as specified for this panel package.
To minimize downtime during the service change, Touchstone Electric made a generator available for limited power use while the main power was disconnected.
Breakers Installed on This Project
- AFCI breakers: 8 × 15A for general living areas and lighting; 4 × 20A for select kitchen, dining, hallway, and foyer circuits.
- GFCI breakers: 1 × 20A for bathroom, laundry, garage, exterior, crawlspace, and similar locations as applicable.
- Standard breakers: 4 × 15A for lighting/standard branch circuits; 9 × 20A for small-appliance circuits; 1 × 30A (double pole) for appliances such as a dryer/water heater/HVAC; 1 × 50A and 1 × 60A (double pole) for larger loads like a range, EV charging, or a small subpanel as applicable.
Code and Safety Notes
With inspectors implementing NEC 2020 in the Charlotte area, many 120V circuits require AFCI protection. Installing AFCI breakers can occasionally reveal preexisting wiring issues—such as shared neutrals—that may cause immediate tripping. If a shared neutral or similar condition is present, additional diagnostic time may be required to locate and correct the issue, which can involve tracing circuits and inspecting fixtures or devices on the affected run.
Why This Upgrade Matters
- Safety first: AFCI and GFCI protection help reduce the risk of electrical fires and shock.
- Reliability: A modern 200A panel with properly sized breakers supports today’s higher household electrical loads.
- Surge resilience: Whole-home surge protection helps defend HVAC systems, appliances, and electronics against spikes.
- Future-ready: Capacity and circuit labeling make adding new loads—like EV charging or renovation circuits—simpler and safer.
- Peace of mind: This installation includes a 20-year transferable panel warranty per the panel specification for this project.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
Touchstone Electric’s Charlotte team, based out of our Matthews location, specializes in panel replacements, service upgrades, and safety code updates across Charlotte, NC. From permitting and inspection to labeling and final walkthrough, we handle the details to keep your home powered safely and reliably.
Customer Feedback
Chris Litchfield praised our work with a Google review. Read it here: View Chris’s review on Google.