Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades
A panel upgrade replaces the breaker box and, where needed, the service entrance feeding it, so your home can carry the load it actually uses today. QCA Electric handles the permit, the utility coordination and the inspection, and most upgrades are finished in a single day.
Signs your panel needs attention
- Breakers that trip whenever the dryer, window unit or space heater runs
- A fuse box, or a panel with no room left for another circuit
- Scorch marks, a burning smell, or a panel that is warm to the touch
- Lights that dim when a large appliance starts
- Planning an addition, a hot tub, a shop or a generator
What a panel upgrade includes
- Load evaluationWe calculate what the home actually draws and size the new service to match, rather than guessing from the old panel.
- Permit and utility coordinationWe pull the electrical permit and arrange the disconnect and reconnect with the utility so the work passes inspection.
- Panel and service replacementNew panel, breakers, grounding and bonding, and the service entrance where it is undersized or damaged.
- Labelling and testingEvery circuit is traced, labelled and tested before we leave, and we walk you through the finished panel.
Older Quad Cities homes
Much of the housing stock on both sides of the river predates modern electrical demand. We regularly find 60- and 100-amp services, obsolete breaker brands with no replacement parts, and panels that were extended one circuit at a time. Where the wiring beyond the panel is also failing, we will say so rather than putting a new panel in front of old problems.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most residential panel upgrades are completed in one day. Power is off for part of that day while the panel is swapped and the utility reconnects the service.
Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel?
Yes. Panel and service work requires a permit and an inspection in the Quad Cities. We pull the permit and meet the inspector as part of the job.
Should I go to 200-amp service?
Most homes adding electric heat, a hot tub, a shop or central air need 200-amp service. We size the upgrade from an actual load calculation rather than a rule of thumb.
Is my old breaker brand a problem?
Some older panel brands are no longer supported and replacement breakers are hard to source safely. We will tell you what is in your panel and whether replacement is the sensible option.
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What customers say
In this day of fly by night "craftsmen", it is nice to come across a professional like Chuck Mausser - the owner/president of QCA Electric. At first I was leery of this one man operation. Many electrical contractors have a master electrician do an initial estimate, only to have an apprentice do the actual labor. Chuck has 35 years of experience and states that if the job is not right "you know where I live". Using a Bettendorf resident electrician is important to me. I didn't price shop his quote for a breaker panel replacement, but felt comfortable contracting with a man who has obvious pride in his work. I am interested in a future Tesla charging station. Chuck said to give him a call for a quote - I probably will. Positive Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism
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