Overhead vs. Underground Main Panel Upgrades: What Homeowners Need to Know

Overhead vs. Underground Main Panel Upgrades: What Homeowners Need to Know

How to Tell if Your Home Has Overhead or Underground Service

Before planning a main panel upgrade, it’s essential to know whether your electrical service is overhead or underground. Here’s how you can identify it:

This underground fed main panel did not require new trenching.

• Overhead Service: Look for utility lines connected to your home via a pole, typically visible above ground.

• Underground Service: Check for a meter or electrical panel without visible wires leading to a pole. These homes receive power through buried lines.

If you’re still unsure, our team at Elect Electric can help assess your service type during a consultation.

Overhead Main Panel Upgrades

Upgrading an overhead service panel is often straightforward since the utility lines are accessible.

• Advantages:

• Less disruption to landscaping and property.

• Typically lower costs compared to underground upgrades.

• Considerations:

• In some cases, the pole or utility lines may need adjustments to meet current safety standards.

Underground Main Panel Upgrades

Homes with underground service may require a more involved process, particularly if trenching is necessary to replace or upgrade conduits.

• Advantages:

• Underground lines are protected from storms, falling trees, and other hazards.

• Modern systems increase home value and reliability.

• Challenges:

• Trenching Costs: Installing new conduit may involve digging across your yard, driveway, or other landscaped areas. This can be costly and time-consuming.

• PG&E Standards: Upgrades must meet current utility requirements, often necessitating additional work beyond the panel itself.

What to Expect During a Main Panel Upgrade

Regardless of the service type, here’s what you can expect during the upgrade process:

If your panel with a meter has an overhead riser attached to wired coming from the utility pole than the service is overhead.

1. Consultation and Planning: We’ll assess your current setup, discuss your energy needs, and determine whether overhead or underground services are involved.

2. Permits and Utility Coordination: We can handle permits and coordinate with PG&E and the local municipality to ensure a smooth transition.

3. Installation: For overhead services, we’ll replace your panel and work with PG&E to ensure the pole connection is secure. For underground services, trenching and conduit upgrades may be necessary.

4. Testing and Inspection: We ensure the new panel operates flawlessly and meets local safety codes.

Why Choose Elect Electric for Your Panel Upgrade?

At Elect Electric, we bring expertise in San Luis Obispo County’s unique utility requirements and offer a one-year service warranty for your peace of mind. Whether you need an overhead or underground upgrade, our team ensures the process is smooth and hassle-free.

Ready to upgrade? Contact us today for a consultation!

About the Authors:

This blog post was originally written by ChatGPT prompted by Daniel Ehinger, an experienced electrician dedicated to promoting electrical safety and best practices. The content was edited and enhanced by Daniel Ehinger, who provided valuable insights and improvements to ensure accuracy, clarity and readability.