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Durham 200A Panel and Meter Base Upgrade with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Our Raleigh team completed a comprehensive 200 amp service upgrade for a homeowner in Durham, NC. Led by technicians Eric Myers and Cody Perry, this project replaced aging service equipment, increased capacity to 200A, improved grounding, and added robust whole-home surge protection—all coordinated with permits and inspection for a smooth, code-compliant installation.
Primary service: Panels & Service Upgrades • Secondary: Meter Base & Service Replacement
Date completed: May 18, 2026 • Customer: Montez Gregory Sr • Service area: Durham, NC
Scope of Work Completed
- Upgraded to a 200 amp meter base and coordinated the power drop with the utility.
- Installed a new riser with weatherhead in IMC conduit, including straps and roof boot.
- Replaced the indoor main panel with a 200A aluminum bus panel, grounded and bonded to current code, and labeled all circuits.
- Installed approximately SEU 4/0 service cable to serve the new 200A system as needed.
- Evaluated and upgraded the grounding electrode system (ground rods and conductors) as required.
- Added a 50k whole-house surge protector at the main panel for protection against grid fluctuations and lightning-related surges.
- Reconnected existing circuits and installed standard breakers to match the home’s loads.
- Handled permitting and inspection; scheduled temporary power needs with the homeowner and utility. Generator support was available upon request during the outage.
Equipment and Breakers Installed
- Meter Base – 200A: New meter base and utility coordination; grounding updates included.
- Riser & Weatherhead: IMC conduit run, roof boot, and service entrance conductors.
- Main Panel – 200A Aluminum Bus (indoor): Brought to current code, grounded/bonded, labeled; 20-year transferable panel warranty.
- Service Cable: SEU 4/0 (3-wire) feeders for the 200A service.
- Breakers: 2 × 40A, 2 × 30A double-pole, 12 × 20A, 1 × 15A standard breakers for essential circuits.
- Surge Protection: Whole-home SPD with $50,000 equipment coverage and a 10-year warranty.
Note on code updates: As inspectors implement NEC 2020, some homes may require AFCI/GFCI upgrades. Shared neutrals or existing wiring conditions can require additional diagnostics to resolve nuisance tripping when upgrading to AFCI devices.
Why This Upgrade Benefits Durham Homeowners
- Capacity for today’s loads: 200A service supports EV chargers, HVAC, appliances, and future additions.
- Safety and reliability: New meter base, riser, grounding, and panel reduce overheating and loose-connection risks.
- Protection for electronics: The whole-home surge protector helps shield appliances and sensitive devices from damaging voltage spikes.
- Permitted and inspected: Work coordinated with the City/County and utility for compliance and peace of mind.
Craftsmanship and Warranties
This project is covered by our lifetime craftsmanship warranty. The new indoor aluminum-bus panel includes a 20-year transferable warranty, and the whole-home surge protector includes a 10-year warranty with up to $50,000 equipment coverage (coverage is secondary to homeowner insurance and excludes direct lightning strikes).
Reviewed by Our Customer
Montez Gregory Sr praised our team’s work on this 200A service upgrade. Read the review on Google: View Google Review
Serving Durham from Our Raleigh Branch
Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch proudly delivers expert panel and service upgrades throughout Durham, NC. If your home needs a meter base replacement, 200A panel upgrade, grounding improvements, or surge protection, our licensed electricians are ready to help with permitted, inspection-ready solutions.