Electrical Panel Upgrade & Surge Protection in Sanford, NC

Our Raleigh branch recently completed a 150A main electrical panel upgrade and whole‑home surge protection for homeowner Mark Haney in Sanford, NC. Led by technician Brad Williams, this project modernized the home’s power distribution, improved safety with AFCI protection, and added robust defense against damaging power surges.

Date completed: November 12, 2025 • Category: Panels & Service Upgrades / Electrical Panel Upgrades

Project highlights

Permit and inspection: We pulled the required permit and prepared the system for inspection to current electrical code standards.
150A main panel replacement: Installed a new indoor main distribution panel, properly grounded and bonded, with clear circuit labeling and an organized layout for easier future service.
Whole‑home surge protection: Installed a premium surge protective device at the main panel with a $100k/10‑year manufacturer warranty for covered equipment.
AFCI safety upgrades: Added new AFCI protection on key 15A and 20A circuits to enhance fire safety and align with current code adoption.
Dedicated appliance circuits: Installed and reorganized standard double‑pole breakers to support higher‑demand equipment.
Craftsmanship assurance: Backed by our Signature Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty.

What we installed

Main electrical panel: 150A indoor panel brought up to current code; grounded, bonded, and fully labeled.
Whole‑home surge protector: Diverts excess voltage to ground, helping protect appliances and electronics from lightning‑related surges, utility fluctuations, and equipment cycling.
AFCI breakers: 12 × 20A AFCI and 3 × 15A AFCI on general‑use and lighting circuits to improve arc‑fault protection.
Standard breakers for dedicated loads: 3 × 30A double‑pole and 1 × 40A breaker for higher‑draw equipment.
Updated wiring where needed: Approximately 250 ft of 12/2 NM‑B, 80 ft of 14/2 NM‑B, 70 ft of 10/3 NM‑B, and 30 ft of 8/2 NM‑B to serve new and existing circuits.
Service entrance cable: SEU #2 service cable installed as part of the service connection refresh from the meter to the panel.

During any panel changeout, temporary power is interrupted. Our team coordinated the outage and kept the project moving efficiently to minimize downtime for the homeowner.

AFCI and code compliance considerations

As local inspectors continue to implement newer NEC requirements, upgrading to AFCI protection is often part of a compliant panel modernization. Some homes may experience immediate tripping when AFCIs expose preexisting wiring conditions (like shared neutrals). Our team evaluates these scenarios and provides clear options to remediate wiring issues when discovered.

Why this upgrade benefits Sanford homeowners

Capacity and reliability: A modern 150A panel supports present and future electrical needs, from kitchen upgrades to HVAC and EV charging.
Safety: AFCI breakers reduce arc‑fault fire risks, and correct grounding/bonding improves overall system protection.
Electronics protection: Whole‑home surge protection helps extend the life of sensitive devices and major appliances.
Permitted and inspected: Work completed by our Raleigh crew with proper permitting and inspection readiness.

Local service you can trust

Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch proudly serves Sanford, NC with expert panel upgrades, service upgrades, and surge protection solutions. Every installation is performed by licensed professionals and supported by our Signature Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty.

Customer feedback

We appreciate our customer, Mark Haney, for praising our work with a Google review. Read and share the feedback here: View the Google review.

Need a panel upgrade in Sanford, NC?

If your home needs a safer, code‑compliant electrical panel or you want whole‑home surge protection, our Raleigh team is ready to help. Ask about AFCI updates, surge protection options, and how we can prepare your home for future electrical needs.