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Meter Base & 200A Panel Upgrade + Surge Protection in New Bern, NC
Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch completed a permitted meter base and 200-amp meter/main panel replacement with whole-home surge protection for homeowner Daniel Ellis in New Bern, NC. Led by technician Matthew Castello, this Panels & Service Upgrades project was finalized on July 15, 2025 and is backed by our Signature Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty.
What We Installed
- Permit and utility coordination: Pulled the required permit and scheduled the temporary power drop with the utility provider for a smooth changeover.
- 200A meter/main panel combo: Installed a new meter/panel combination with an aluminum bus bar that includes a 20-year transferable warranty.
- Grounding system: Drove new ground rods and connected a grounding electrode conductor for code-compliant grounding and improved safety.
- Whole-home surge protection: Added a panel-mounted SPD with $100,000 coverage and a 10-year warranty to protect appliances and sensitive electronics from power surges.
- Feeder conductors: Pulled approximately 40 ft of 2/0 THHN to support the upgraded service configuration.
- Subpanel capacity: Installed (2) 2-pole 100A breakers for subpanel support as needed.
- Crew efficiency: An electrician wireman assisted to keep the project on schedule.
- PowerCare Membership: Enrolled the customer to receive ongoing safety checks, panel tune-ups, and priority service benefits.
- Military discount: Honored a military discount as a thank-you for service.
About the Surge Protection
Installed at the main electrical panel, the surge protective device diverts excess voltage to ground to help shield your home’s electrical system from lightning-induced surges, utility fluctuations, and equipment cycling. Coverage is $100,000 for 10 years, and claims are secondary to your existing insurance policy. Direct lightning strikes are excluded.
Covered equipment typically includes major appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, freezer), the HVAC unit located inside the house, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, wiring, outlets/switches, breakers, and hard-wired devices like built-in microwaves, furnaces, air handlers, evaporator coils, hardwired ranges, landscape lighting, and home lighting when properly connected to the installed SPD. Security systems and medical equipment are not covered.
Code and Inspection Notes
As NEC 2020 adoption continues, inspectors may require AFCI upgrades on certain circuits. AFCI devices can trip if there are preexisting wiring conditions, such as shared neutrals, which may require detailed diagnostics (like opening fixtures on affected circuits) to correct. Our team communicates these possibilities up front so you can plan accordingly.
Scope exclusions for this project can include the riser/weatherhead, service entrance cable from the new meter to the weatherhead, and any feeder with conduit to main panels if needed. On request, we can provide a generator for limited power during the outage window.
PowerCare Membership Benefits
- $0 yearly safety check: Test safety devices, inspect main electrical equipment and panel, and verify GFCIs/disconnects.
- $0 annual panel tune-up: Re-tension lugs and breaker terminals, re-apply antioxidant, perform a voltage variance test, clean the panel, apply electrical cleaner, and reseal penetrations.
- $0 dispatch hold: If you have a concern, we waive the dispatch fee to come out and take a look.
- Member discount: 8% off up to $500 on work performed. If canceled before the 12-month term completes, a cancellation charge equal to the discount received applies. Membership is $13/month for 12 months.
See our quick overview: PowerCare Membership video walkthrough.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
From our Raleigh branch, we proudly serve New Bern, NC and nearby communities with expert meter base replacements, service upgrades, grounding improvements, and surge protection. Every permitted install includes our Signature Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty—if our workmanship fails, we fix it.
After completion, Daniel Ellis praised our team with a positive review. If you need a compliant, future-ready 200A service in New Bern, Touchstone Electric is ready to help.