Connecticut Electrical Service Upgrades

100A to 200A. 200A to 400A. We pull the permit, coordinate with Eversource or United Illuminating, and walk the inspection. One day on-site for most jobs.

Why Connecticut homes are upgrading

EV chargers

A single Level 2 charger pulls 32 to 48 amps continuous. Add a second EV or a fast charger and a 100A panel runs out of headroom.

Heat pumps

A whole-home heat pump replaces gas or oil and adds a 40 to 60 amp dedicated circuit. Combined with hot water and an EV, 200A becomes the floor.

Solar + battery

Larger inverters and whole-home backup batteries benefit from 200A or 400A service for cleaner integration with the grid and the main panel.

Aging panels

Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic, and other recalled or obsolete panels are a fire risk and an insurance liability. Upgrade now before the insurance carrier asks.

What's involved

  1. 1

    Site visit + load calculation

    We measure your panel, photograph the meter and main feed, and run an NEC 220 load calculation against your existing and planned loads. You get a written quote with a firm price.

  2. 2

    Permit + utility service order

    We pull the electrical permit with your town and file the service order with Eversource or United Illuminating for the meter cutover.

  3. 3

    Install day

    New panel, breakers, grounding, bonding, and (if needed) a new mast and weatherhead. Utility cuts power for the cutover, typically 4 to 6 hours, and re-energizes the same day.

  4. 4

    Inspection

    Town inspector confirms code compliance. We stay until inspection passes.

Service Upgrade FAQs

Common questions from Connecticut homeowners adding EVs, heat pumps, solar, or battery storage.

How do I know if I need a 200A service upgrade in Connecticut?
You likely need an upgrade if you are adding an EV charger, heat pump, central A/C, solar with battery, or whole-home backup, and your home currently has 100A or 150A service. We run a NEC 220 load calculation during the estimate and tell you in writing whether a 200A (or 400A) upgrade is required or simply recommended.
What does a 100A to 200A upgrade cost in Connecticut?
Most residential 100A to 200A upgrades in Connecticut run $2,500 to $4,500 installed, including a new main panel, meter socket, mast (if applicable), grounding upgrade, permit, and inspection. Older homes with knob-and-tube branch circuits or unusual meter locations cost more. We quote firm prices after a site visit.
When does a home need 400A instead of 200A?
400A makes sense for large homes (5,000+ sq ft), homes with high simultaneous demand (multiple EV chargers + heat pump + electric range + hot tub + pool), or homes adding a meaningful solar + battery system. In some Connecticut towns we also use 400A class 200A meter combos to support large solar inverter loads on Eversource feeders.
How long does a service upgrade take?
On-site work is usually a single day. The full timeline including permit, utility coordination with Eversource or United Illuminating, the meter swap appointment, and inspection is typically 2 to 4 weeks from contract.
Will my power be off during the upgrade?
Power is off for the cutover itself, typically 4 to 6 hours. We schedule with you and the utility, and we work to restore power the same day. For temperature-sensitive scenarios (medical equipment, large fish tanks, business operations) we can plan around it.
Do you pull the permit and coordinate with the utility?
Yes. West Electric pulls the electrical permit, files the utility service order with Eversource or United Illuminating, schedules the utility cutover, and walks the inspection. You do not deal with the town or the utility directly - we do.
Does a service upgrade qualify for any Connecticut incentives?
When the upgrade is tied to a qualifying improvement (EV charger, heat pump, solar, battery), it can be financed through Connecticut Green Bank Smart-E. A service upgrade on its own is not directly rebated.

Ready for a load calculation?

Free, no-obligation estimate with a firm written price.

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