Meter/Main Panel Replacement & Surge Protection in Holly Ridge, NC

Project overview

Our Raleigh team completed a comprehensive meter/main electrical panel replacement, installed whole-home surge protection, and troubleshot burnt water-heater wiring at a residence in Holly Ridge, NC. All work was permitted and coordinated with the local utility to ensure a smooth, code-compliant upgrade.

What we did

• Pulled permits and coordinated required inspections for a compliant installation.
• Replaced the 200A meter/main combo panel and installed new grounding components, including ground rods with grounding electrode conductors.
• Installed whole-home surge protection with a $10K/3-year warranty to help protect sensitive electronics and appliances from power surges and lightning-related events.
• Troubleshot a burnt wire at the water heater to address a potential safety hazard and restore reliable operation.
• Provided an additional electrician wireman on site to keep the project efficient and minimize downtime.

Equipment, breakers, and warranties

• Meter/Panel Combo – 200A: Features an aluminum bus bar with a 20-year transferable warranty. Includes scheduling a power drop with the power provider, pulling permits, installing the new combo meter/panel, and grounding upgrades.
• Surge Protection: Whole-home unit with $10,000 equipment coverage and a 3-year warranty.
• Breakers installed:
  • 1× 50A standard (commonly used for ranges, furnaces/heaters, small subpanels, EV chargers)
  • 2× 30A double-pole (often used for dryers, water heaters, condensers, spas, EV chargers)
  • 1× 100A 2-pole (typical for subpanels)
  • 2× 20A double-pole (for small appliance or specialty circuits as needed)
• Touchstone Signature Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty included on our workmanship for added peace of mind.

Code, inspection, and utility coordination

As inspectors continue implementing NEC 2020, certain homes may require AFCI breaker upgrades. In some cases, preexisting conditions—such as shared neutrals—can cause immediate tripping when AFCI protection is added. Resolving those issues can involve additional diagnostic time to isolate and correct wiring on the affected circuits. Our team discussed these possibilities with the homeowner and ensured the installation was prepared for inspection.

During the panel change, we coordinated the temporary power drop with the utility. At the homeowner’s request, we can make a generator available for limited power usage during the outage window.

Notes on scope and typical exclusions

The meter/panel replacement scope on this project did not include the cost of a riser/weatherhead, new service-entrance cable to the weatherhead, or feeders and conduit to interior main panels if needed. When those items are required, we provide clear, upfront options so homeowners can choose the best path for their budget and timeline.

Why this upgrade matters

• Safety and reliability: A modern 200A meter/main and updated grounding help reduce overheating risks and nuisance trips.
• Surge resilience: Whole-home protection adds a critical layer against damaging transients that can shorten the life of electronics and HVAC equipment.
• Future-ready capacity: Properly sized breakers and panel space support additions like EV charging, spas, or new HVAC equipment.

Serving Holly Ridge, NC

Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh branch proudly serves homeowners in Holly Ridge with Panels & Service Upgrades and Electrical Panel Upgrades. If you’re seeing flickering lights, frequent breaker trips, or you’re planning an EV charger or renovation, we can evaluate your service and recommend the right upgrade.

Need a panel upgrade or surge protection?

From permit pulling and utility coordination to code-compliant installation and post-upgrade testing, our licensed team streamlines the entire process. Contact Touchstone Electric’s Raleigh team to request an on-site assessment in Holly Ridge, NC.