Circuit Breaker Installation

Gragg Electrical Services offers expert circuit breaker installation to keep your electrical system safe and reliable. Our certified electricians in East Canton, OH ensure your home is protected from overloads and short circuits.

Top Circuit Breaker Installation Service in East Canton, OH

A properly functioning circuit breaker is the most important safety device in your home’s electrical system. Gragg Electrical Services specializes in the professional installation of all types of circuit breakers. Our team ensures that each new breaker is correctly sized and installed for the specific circuit it protects. This is crucial for preventing electrical fires caused by overloaded wiring. We handle everything from single breaker additions to full panel installations with precision and care. Trust our expertise to enhance the safety and functionality of your electrical panel. We work diligently to protect your home and family from electrical hazards. When you need a new circuit breaker in East Canton, our electricians are the ones to call. We guarantee our work meets the highest standards of safety.

Financing Available For Circuit Breaker Installation

We offer flexible financing options to make your circuit breaker installation more affordable. Spread the cost over manageable monthly payments without delaying the safety and reliability of your electrical system. Ask us about our quick approval process and competitive rates today.

Circuit Breaker Installation

Upgrading your electrical panel often involves installing new circuit breakers. If you are adding a new major appliance, building a home addition, or simply modernizing an outdated panel, you will likely need new breakers. Our team can assess your current panel’s capacity and help you plan for future electrical needs. Sometimes, a panel is full, and a subpanel must be installed to create space for new circuits and their corresponding breakers. Gragg Electrical Services handles these complex projects with expertise. We ensure that your electrical system can safely support all of your home’s power demands, both now and in the future. A well planned system with properly installed breakers is a cornerstone of a safe and functional home.

After installing a new circuit breaker, our job is not finished until we have thoroughly tested its operation. We systematically restore power and then test the new circuit under a simulated load to ensure everything is functioning as expected. We also test the trip function of the new breaker to verify that it will respond correctly in an overload or short circuit condition. For AFCI and GFCI breakers, we use specialized testers to confirm their sensitive safety features are working. This final verification step provides peace of mind that your new installation is performing its protective duties flawlessly. Our commitment to thoroughness is part of what makes us a trusted electrical service provider in the East Canton area.

Hiring a professional electrician for circuit breaker installation is not just a suggestion; it is a necessity for safety. Working inside a live electrical panel is extremely dangerous and can be fatal if not done correctly. Our electricians have the training, experience, and personal protective equipment (PPE) required to perform this work safely. We understand the complex inner workings of electrical panels and the strict codes that govern their modification. A DIY installation can easily lead to improper connections, mismatched breaker and wire sizes, or damage to the panel itself. Any of these mistakes can create a severe risk of fire or electric shock. Trust the experts at Gragg Electrical Services for a safe and compliant installation.

Michelle Wilsbach
Michelle Wilsbach
May 13, 2026

I needed an electrician to replace some loose outlet slots on my mom‘s Louisville, Ohio house. I’m listing it for sale after her passing, unfortunately. Gragg electric, from the woman who answers the phone and schedules the appointment to the actual electrician, Michael, were all very helpful, professional and personable. Michael was very communicative and would text me arrival times and actually showed up on that time and even before. He was very accommodating, even doing this job before he actually “clocked on” for work. He brought his own shoe/boot covers and was respectful of me and of my mom‘s home. He even labeled Mom‘s main breaker box which, for some reason was not previously labeled.  I would definitely recommend Gragg and Mike  Thank you for making this stressful time a little less so

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Amber Goodwin
May 11, 2026

Excellent service! Mike was very professional, called appropriately ahead of time to make sure someone was home. He was upfront about all estimates needed, providing good information the whole time. He answered my questions appropriately and made me feel at ease about my electrical work. Overall, would recommend!

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Bill Swinehart
May 11, 2026

Had them come out for a new home purchase box inspection. My mother in law was home and she said the gentleman was very polite. I had talked to the lady in the office twice and she was very helpful and was able to save me some money! I would recommend this company for sure!

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Brandon Lillie
May 7, 2026

My technician was very informative, was great at breaking down what was going on, explaining how and why. Very very great experience 10/10 would recommend highly.

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Ashley Mccartney
May 7, 2026

Mike was great! He called when he was in route, showed up on time and completed the work in a very timely fashion. I felt the cost was reasonable too!

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JOHN Stamps
May 7, 2026

The gentleman (Mike) very professional person, he also explained in detail what had to be done, he sat up everything that had to be done financing and everything. Put us on the schedule as quick as possible. A professional company. Thanks Mike for all you have done for us. Barb Stamps and John T Stamps. I highly recommend this company to anyone.

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Bill Fayen
May 6, 2026

Mike carefully inspected my house and thoroughly explained the repairs I need. I would highly recommend this company.

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Jeff Diss
May 5, 2026

Mike was absolutely wonderful to work with. He took time to explain the process to me and made sure I understood everything which actually ended up being very simple. I would HIGHLY recommend Gragg Electric because of Mike.

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pepper arndt
May 5, 2026

We would highly recommend this Company. Besides doing excellent work, they treated us extremely well. We felt as if everyone that works there had our best interest in mind.

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Tim Knisely
May 4, 2026

I setup an appointment online over the weekend for a service call and received a phone call first thing Monday morning. They were able to have a technician out that morning. Mike W. came out and reviewed our problem with a breaker and was able to diagnose some of the issues that caused it. He also explained everything that was found and why it could cause a problem. Very professional and I thought the cost was reasonable.

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Iris Mulcahy
May 4, 2026

They explained what needed fixing. Quick and easy fix.

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Henrry Nasser
May 1, 2026
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Amanda Phillips
May 1, 2026

Excellent service. We had a few outlets in our kitchen go out and lights were flickering. Mike came out so fast and not only got them working but also checked the whole house to make sure everything was working. He was very thorough and made sure we knew what was going on.

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Darryl Klehm
May 1, 2026

Mike did an excellent job diagnosing the issue and solved the problem despite adverse weather conditions. He was courteous and polite and very respectful.

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Denise Drake
April 29, 2026

Mike was very cordial, clear in his explanations of the work/estimate that would have to be done and the options that I have. I look forward to having them fix my electrical needs.

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Josh Carrick
April 29, 2026
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Don McDonald
April 28, 2026
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Aaron Dunn
April 28, 2026
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Eric Bergmeyer
April 27, 2026

Great local company in East Canton. Very knowledgeable and skilled crews. I would highly recommend for your next electrical job!

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Paula Robinson
April 27, 2026

The technician who came out was thorough and very pleasant. He determined what the issue was with malfunctioning landscape lighting and provided a reasonable quote for repair. Parts needed to be ordered and I’m expecting the same outstanding service when replacement parts are installed.

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Theodore Brown
April 24, 2026

This was my first time using this company. Response time was great. There was no charge for coming and making an estimate for the work. The electrician was friendly and explained everything. I think this is a great company. Rates were reasonable and I am very pleased with their work.

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Mark Daniels
April 24, 2026

I could not be happier with my experience, prompt, efficient, clean and diagnosed the problem quickly. I would highly recommend Gragg Electrc

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Greg Smith
April 23, 2026
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daniel brown
April 22, 2026

Gragg Electric workmanship is top-notch. Their service and expertise are unmatched, but most importantly, especially in today's economy, they are HONEST and fair priced. I highly recommend them for any electrical work that you may need.

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Heather Leininger
April 22, 2026

Great experience! Mike was very knowledgeable.Helped me understand all the details of my project without being pushy with sales! Definitely recommend him!

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Jerry Smith
April 20, 2026
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Zaviona Fountain
April 20, 2026

I called Gragg Electrical Services, LLC to come out regarding my dryer outlet not getting enough power. They were able to get me on the schedule the next day at no additional charge! Cory Boosz came out timely and found the issue. He kindly explained what was going on and some potential solutions. Cory did a great job fixing the problem and didn’t even have to turn the power off so I could continue working. He also cleaned up after he was finished. Thank you Cory and Gragg for providing us with kindness and relief during a difficult time. I will definitely be using this company again.

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Sharon Besserman
April 16, 2026

Our technician Corey was the best

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Rosie Calligaro
April 13, 2026

We just finished a detached garage build and needed the whole structure wired from the subpanel to the outlets and lighting. The electrician from Gragg was efficient, clearly experienced with this type of work, and the finished product looks exactly like what I had pictured. Everything is properly grounded, the circuits are sensibly distributed, and it passed the electrical inspection without a single correction. For a project I was a little nervous about managing it went about as smoothly as possible.

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Tanner Simmons
April 13, 2026

The lights in my living room had been flickering intermittently for months and two different electricians had looked at it without finding the cause. Gragg Electrical spent the time to actually trace the issue back to a loose neutral connection at the panel that had been creating voltage fluctuations throughout the circuit. Problem solved on the first real diagnosis. Sometimes you just need someone who is willing to look harder and these guys did exactly that.

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Jose Familia
April 13, 2026

Our kitchen renovation required running new circuits for a double oven and an island with dedicated outlet circuits and Gragg Electrical coordinated seamlessly with the rest of our contractors. The rough in work was done on schedule, the inspector had zero notes, and the finish work after drywall was clean and precise. My contractor told me they were the easiest sub on the whole job and that kind of professionalism ripples through an entire project.

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Sean Bugno
April 12, 2026

We had an issue where we lost power due to the neutral wire breaking on the side of the house. I called Gragg Electric and they were able to send someone out within a few hours. We ended up needing to have not only the wire replaced, but the meter box and additional grounding installed to bring it up to current code. Everyone at Gragg Electric was very kind and professional and worked quickly to get our power restored. I would highly recommend them.

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Brenda Schiltz
April 11, 2026

Corey was awesome. He did the job quickly and efficiently. He also answered all my questions.

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robyn Kidwell
April 10, 2026

Cory was so nice, respectful and knowledgeable. He had my problem solved within 15 minutes! I would definitely recommend Gragg in the future and will be working with them again to wire my She-shed!! So excited. A+++++

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Scott Lambert
April 10, 2026

Great job! quick and easy! 🙂

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Gulkesh Gill
April 9, 2026
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Julie Blemler
April 8, 2026

We had a very large tree fall between the power pole and the house tearing the wires from the house. Gragg is one of the nicest companies I've worked with. Mike W. was our Electrician for the hurry up job. He is professional and helpful, not to mention that he is very nice. I'm glad I picked Gragg Electrical Services and I will happily recommend them!

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Barry Shannon
April 8, 2026

He was professional and very knowledgeable about the electrical work done.I would highly recommend.

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Eric zamudio
April 8, 2026

They are quick, professional, and nice to work with. I would definitely recommend them and plan to work with them again.

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Heather Brady
April 6, 2026

Friendly company. Fast service.

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Mick Shamus
April 6, 2026
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Korbin Merrick
April 3, 2026

Great service and people Mike was a pleasure to talk to and work with great company.

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Adrienn Anderson
April 3, 2026

Urgent issue. Arrived on time and resolved the issue quickly and ensured everything was safe thank you

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Rebecca McKinnon
April 3, 2026

Awesome team. Very professional and friendly

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Patty Giacomini
April 3, 2026

We had a recurring problem with loss of power to part of our house that was all on the same circuit. We had a subscription with another company, but when we called they couldn’t get us an appointment for several weeks. We called Gragg and they came out in 3 days. We had a technician name Cory, who was very knowledgeable and diagnosed and fixed the problem very quickly. He explained the problem in terms I could understand. He was competent and friendly to boot. You could tell he loved his job too.

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Ryan McCarthy
April 2, 2026

Family can now live in safety because of the awesome people at Gragg Electrical Services. We had 3 outlets with the loosest recepticles you've ever seen. None of our cell phone chargers would stay plugged in... Great electricians and a blessing to our family. Came over to the west side of Massillon for no extra travel fee. Awesome, affordable, and family-oriented.

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Rebecca Gyoker
April 1, 2026

Called in and spoke with Brittany about needing an estimate, she was so kind and thorough. Cory came out to provide the estimate and was incredibly nice and professional. He took the time to explain everything clearly and answer my questions. I really appreciated his honesty and how easy he was to talk to. Great experience overall!

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Michael Todaro
April 1, 2026

Quick easy, polite, no notes

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Tom L
March 31, 2026

Very satisfied with quality of service and work will use Gragg for any further electrical work.

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Erica K
March 31, 2026

Service was quick and complete. I will definitely use them again for my electrical needs.

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Doug Mcelroy
March 31, 2026

Great service on the generator

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Ms. Rasmussen
March 30, 2026

Excellent, friendly service. Fair price. Mike W. Did a great job!! Thank you

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Mel Lute
March 27, 2026

Mike was our technician and he did an outstanding job. He showed up on time, was diligent and solve our problem. I would highly recommend.

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Christine Pennel
March 27, 2026

Cory was very professional when he arrived. He was respectful of our home and explained the new safety requirements that are now included in their work. I feel very confident working with Gragg.

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Murphy White
March 26, 2026

Mike did an awesome job on our estimate! Was extremely thorough and helped me understand the whole process!

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Beverly Gooding
March 26, 2026

On time, super professional and very reasonable prices.

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Karl E
March 26, 2026

Cory was very knowledgeable and friendly about answering questions, I don’t know the ins and outs about home electricity. We went through the inspection in detail and gave an easy to understand explanation about what is needed. I recommend these folks to anyone looking for a home electrician.

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Angelique Hall
March 24, 2026
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Sheronda Brown
March 23, 2026

The website is amazing and user friendly! Customer service was outstanding and courteous. Corey was very informative, knowledgeable, polite and prompt. I will be calling Gragg for future electrical work and referring others.

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Rebecca McKinnon
March 20, 2026

Awesome service.

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Julie Weese
March 20, 2026

Dr. Frankenstein could take some notes from Kyle and Cam at Gragg Electric, who did an amazing job resurrecting our ancient generator from the dead. Kyle’s customer service was phenomenal. Brittany (hopefully that’s how it’s spelled; my apologies if it’s “Britneigh”) who scheduled the appointment was incredibly friendly and helpful. Cost was reasonable and what I would expect from the service rendered. I would definitely recommend Gragg Electric to others, and I will be having them back for my next electric project!

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Roger
March 18, 2026

Great service,honest ,courteous,very pleased

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Adam Rich
March 18, 2026

Friendly, professional and knowledgeable.

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Stephen Shoff
March 18, 2026

Great employee that came to our house. The gentleman told us exactly what we needed and why. Answered any questions we had. Great experience!

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Andrew Bernat
March 17, 2026

Kyle did a great job!!!

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Anthony
March 17, 2026

Mike and his team were able to finish a panel install and completed multiple fixes. Will definitely recommend to others.

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Cliff Johnson
March 16, 2026
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Christi Hodge
March 16, 2026

Fantastic service! Highly recommend Gragg Electric. Affordable and reliable! Thanks for providing the necessary upgrades we needed.

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Javier Eduar
March 13, 2026

Quick service work

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Reese Eichhorn
March 13, 2026

Mike came out and did great work

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Steve Leatherberry
March 13, 2026
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Samantha Hodik
March 13, 2026

Andrew and Harley put in an overhead light in my grandma’s living room. They were thorough, double checked and gave us options when something unexpected popped up, and were very kind to my grandma. Highly recommend for their timeliness, excellent communication and friendliness.

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Joshua Engle
March 13, 2026

These guys are awesome! Prompt, courteous, professional & fair.

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John Keoshian
March 11, 2026
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HH Direct Office
March 11, 2026

Great response time and service for HH Direct

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Andrew Ramirez
March 10, 2026

Cory did an awesome job! Very helpful and professional👍

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Tom Carnifax
March 10, 2026

Had Mike come do the quote and it was fast and great service. Asked if he himself could come do the final work just from how thorough he was with everything. Highly recommend him.

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joe male
March 10, 2026

He was quick and very noligable. Very nice and polite and gets the job done.

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Chris Lenarz
March 7, 2026

Had a great experience kind very professional they did a great job fixing our sign

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William Rundles
March 5, 2026

Mike was 5 stars plus! Great service!

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Toi Snell
March 5, 2026

This company is very nice. Everything went over smoothly and the pricing is reasonable. Thank you Cory for taking your time to find the issue. We finally have working outlets. I definitely recommend.

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Jarrod Reyes
March 5, 2026

These guys are great! They were able to fit me in next day for loss power in one our rooms (open neutral). Cory was knowledgeable and professional during his visit. while troubleshooting, he was able to narrow down what might be the cause of the problem. I said "might" because he was not able to access the attic to search for a junction box, to validate his suspicion. I have attic access in the garage but the way the hvac was installed there is no way to get where the connections are. So now i am removing the broken whole house fan so I can have access to those junctions. $150 was worth the visit to help me get closer to finding this open neutral.

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Tim Cobb
March 5, 2026

I called Gragg Electric because I had discovered that the old 60 amp fuse box that powers my clothes dryer was worn out. Mike came to my house, accessed the situation, came up with the best fix, went and purchased all the materials he needed and came back immediately and installed everything for a very reasonable price.The entire process took just less than 3 hours. Mike did a fantastic job and was totally professional and congenial and gave be advice on afew of my future projects. I could not more satisfied.

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Josh Long
March 5, 2026

They had a tech out to handle my issue within an hour of my same day call. Mike W was knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend this local company.

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Justin Miller
March 5, 2026

The service rep was on time, polite, and answered all my questions.

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Andrew Grueber
March 4, 2026

This was the first place I called but Brittany at the office was extremely accommodating and stayed in contact with me throughout the day to get one of their electricians to my house same day. Cory is extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to about any concerns. Our home was built in the 80s and there are a lot of what feels like odd decisions made with the electrical layout of our house. Cory helped diagnose a few of those quirks and we will definitely be sleeping easier now that we know there aren’t any major issues. The estimate for upgrading our panel and service was fair for today’s market.

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heidi ecksmith
March 4, 2026

Came out and did quote for free. Super friendly. No complaints. Would use again

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Amber Bondoni
March 4, 2026
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Harley Morris
March 2, 2026

Amazing company!!

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Xanifii
March 2, 2026

Excellent service

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April D
March 2, 2026

Gragg Electrical Service has some very nice employees working for them. A very knowledgeable group of employees who always get any job done right! Very good prices on top of everything else. Highly recommended.

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Zac did a great job with installing a new panel and dryer circuit for us at my home in Massillon. Gragg was prompt and the price was fair. We will be using Gragg in the future.

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Doug Porter
February 27, 2026

Corey did a great job he was fast efficient and very polite. I highly recommend

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Tim L
February 27, 2026

Great rep, fast and easy estimate and scheduling process. Would recommend!

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Tammy Davidson
February 26, 2026

When my utility pole with my electric meter on it got pulled down by an Ohio edison street pole, Gragg electric was the only company that stepped up and got the job done the same day they received my message. Communication with Brittany was wonderful. I will not hesitate in the future to call them again. Great job guys!

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Cheyenne McMullen
February 26, 2026

I had lights flickering and the Breaker Box was making a sizzling noise! I had never used this company before but after reading their reviews I decided to give them a call. Brittney was polite, professional, courteous, and personable. They were able to squeeze me in, same day, due to my emergency. Mike arrived on time. He was very professional, personable, and he explained every step of the way so that I could follow along. I WILL be contacting them soon for further work that has to be done! Very affordable, reliable, and thorough.

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Chris
February 26, 2026

Electrician was informative very nice knowledgeable and prices were fair

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julie coon
February 24, 2026

Mike fixed the problem in no time at all. He went the extra mile and double checked all the other outlets, as well! I’m very grateful. Thanks, Mike!

Seth S.
Seth S.
February 11, 2025

Solid choice for local electrical work. Highly recommend if you are in need of a quality electrician. Handles both residential and commercial.

Alyssa Pimpas
Alyssa Pimpas
March 19, 2024

We had quit a few things that needed done at the house the crew that came out was very respectful! Explained everything they were doing, answered all questions we had, and did an amazing job at everything that needed done . I Will definitely recommend this company to everyone I know.

Jeana Barnett
Jeana Barnett
January 3, 2022

This company is amazing and actually cared that I wasn't able to come home until work was done and rushed to get me scheduled. Truly the best company around. Out of 14 that I called I'm confident I received the best price and service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

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Most Common Circuit Breaker Installation Questions

Circuit breakers are the silent guardians of your home’s electrical safety, and their proper installation is paramount. Many homeowners have questions about adding, replacing, or upgrading these vital devices. Here are detailed answers to some of the frequently asked questions about circuit breaker installation.

An AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) and a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) are both advanced safety devices, but they protect against two very different types of electrical hazards. A GFCI is designed to protect people from electric shock. It works by constantly monitoring the flow of electricity in a circuit’s hot and neutral wires. If the GFCI detects even a tiny imbalance, meaning some of the current is leaking out and flowing to ground through an unintended path like a person’s body, it trips and shuts off the power in a fraction of a second. This rapid response can prevent serious injury or electrocution. GFCIs are most important in areas where electricity and water may come into contact, like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outdoor receptacles.

An AFCI, on the other hand, is designed to protect against fires caused by electrical arcing. An arc fault is an unintentional, high power discharge of electricity between two conductors. This can happen because of damaged wire insulation, loose connections, or punctured electrical cables. These arcs create intense heat that can easily ignite surrounding materials like wood or insulation, starting a fire inside your walls where it may go undetected until it is too late. An AFCI breaker uses sophisticated electronics to detect the unique electrical signature of a dangerous arc fault and immediately cuts power to the circuit. It can detect arcs that a standard circuit breaker would not recognize as a problem, providing superior fire protection.

In essence, the key difference is their primary function: GFCIs protect people from shock, while AFCIs protect the structure from fire. Modern electrical codes now require both types of protection in various areas of new homes. For example, GFCI protection is mandated for all bathroom, kitchen countertop, and garage outlets. AFCI protection is now required for the circuits supplying outlets and devices in nearly all living areas, including bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways. You can also install combination breakers that provide both AFCI and GFCI protection in one device. Our electricians can help you understand the specific requirements for your home and install the correct protective devices to bring your home’s electrical system up to the highest safety standards.

Choosing the correct size, or amperage rating, for a circuit breaker is absolutely critical for electrical safety. The breaker’s size is not determined by the appliances you plan to use; instead, it is determined by the gauge of the wire it is protecting. Every electrical wire has a maximum amount of current it can safely carry before it starts to get hot. The circuit breaker’s job is to be the “weakest link” in the chain, tripping before the wire itself can overheat and become a fire hazard. Therefore, the breaker’s amperage rating must match the ampacity (current carrying capacity) of the circuit’s wiring. A mismatched breaker and wire is a code violation and a serious safety risk.

The general rule of thumb for standard copper wiring in residential settings is straightforward. A 15 amp circuit breaker must be paired with 14 gauge wire, which is common for general lighting and most standard outlets. A 20 amp breaker requires thicker 12 gauge wire, often used for kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room outlets that serve more powerful appliances. For larger, 240 volt appliances, the wire gets even thicker. For instance, a 30 amp breaker for an electric dryer or water heater requires 10 gauge wire. Our licensed electricians at Gragg Electrical Services know these pairings by heart and will always ensure the breaker size correctly corresponds to the wire gauge according to the National Electrical Code.

Never install a larger amperage breaker on a circuit just because the old one keeps tripping. This is an extremely dangerous practice called “overfusing.” A tripping breaker is a warning sign that the circuit is overloaded or has a fault. Replacing a 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp one without also upgrading the 14 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire creates a fire waiting to happen. The new, larger breaker will allow 20 amps of current to flow through a wire that is only rated to handle 15 amps. The wire will dangerously overheat long before the breaker ever trips. If you have a breaker that trips frequently, the solution is to reduce the load on that circuit or have a professional electrician investigate for a fault or install a new, dedicated circuit.

Replacing a circuit breaker is a task that should only be performed by a qualified and licensed electrician. The interior of a main electrical panel contains live bus bars that carry a lethal amount of electricity. Even when the main breaker is turned off, the large service entrance lugs where power comes into the panel from the utility line remain energized. Accidental contact with these components can cause severe electrical burns, electrocution, and death. Professional electricians are trained to work in these high hazard environments. They use specialized insulated tools and follow strict safety protocols, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), to protect themselves from these dangers. The risks to an untrained individual are simply too great.

Beyond the immediate danger of electric shock, there are numerous technical mistakes a DIYer can make that could compromise the safety of their home. Installing the wrong type or brand of breaker for your specific panel can result in a poor connection to the bus bar. This can lead to overheating, arcing, and a potential fire. As discussed, selecting a breaker with the wrong amperage rating for the circuit’s wire size is a critical error that creates a significant fire hazard. Furthermore, not tightening the wire connection at the breaker’s terminal screw sufficiently can cause it to heat up and fail over time. An experienced electrician knows the correct torque specifications and techniques to ensure a solid, safe, and lasting connection.

Finally, performing your own electrical work can have insurance and liability implications. Most homeowner’s insurance policies require that electrical modifications be performed by a licensed contractor to remain valid. If a fire is later traced back to a breaker you replaced yourself, your insurance company could deny the claim, leaving you financially responsible for the damages. It may also cause issues when you try to sell your home, as a home inspector is likely to flag unpermitted or non professional electrical work. For your personal safety and your financial protection, always entrust circuit breaker installations and replacements to the professionals at Gragg Electrical Services. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

If a circuit breaker has tripped and will not reset, it is a clear indication of a persistent electrical problem that requires immediate attention. A breaker that trips is doing its job, protecting the circuit from either an overload or a more serious fault. When you try to reset it, you should first push the handle firmly to the “off” position before attempting to move it back to the “on” position. If it immediately trips again, this is known as an “instant trip.” This signifies that the fault condition is still present on the circuit. You should never try to force the breaker to stay on or repeatedly flip it, as this could lead to a fire or damage to your electrical system.

An instant trip is often caused by a short circuit. A short circuit occurs when a hot wire touches a neutral wire or a ground wire, creating a path of very low resistance. This causes a massive and instantaneous surge of current to flow, which the breaker immediately detects and interrupts. This could be caused by a faulty appliance plugged into the circuit or a problem with the wiring itself, such as a loose connection in an outlet box or a nail that has pierced a cable in the wall. The first step in troubleshooting is to unplug everything from the affected circuit. If the breaker then resets and stays on, the problem is likely one of the appliances you unplugged.

If the breaker still will not reset after everything has been unplugged, the fault lies within the home’s permanent wiring. This is a more serious situation that requires professional diagnosis from a licensed electrician. The issue could be a faulty outlet, a bad switch, a loose connection in a junction box, or damaged wiring inside a wall. Our electricians at Gragg Electrical Services have advanced diagnostic tools, such as circuit tracers and multimeters, to pinpoint the exact location of the short circuit without causing unnecessary damage to your home. Attempting to find and fix such a problem yourself without the proper knowledge and equipment is dangerous and can make the problem worse. Never ignore a breaker that will not reset; it is a critical safety warning.

The cost to install a new circuit breaker can vary depending on the type of breaker and the complexity of the installation. For a simple replacement of an existing, standard breaker that has gone bad, the cost is relatively modest. This job typically involves a service call fee and the cost of the new breaker itself. The labor time is minimal for a qualified electrician who can perform the swap safely and efficiently. If you are simply adding a new standard 15 or 20 amp breaker to an existing panel that has available space, the cost will be similar. Our team at Gragg Electrical Services can provide a clear and upfront price for these straightforward installation tasks.

The price will increase for more advanced or specialized types of circuit breakers. For example, AFCI and GFCI breakers are more expensive components than standard thermal magnetic breakers. The cost of the part itself can be significantly higher, which will be reflected in the final invoice. Similarly, a large double pole breaker for a major appliance like a new air conditioner or an EV charger will cost more than a small single pole breaker. The installation of these larger breakers often involves running a new, dedicated circuit from the panel to the appliance, which is a more labor intensive job. The total cost will depend on the amperage of the circuit and the distance the wire needs to be run.

The most significant factor affecting cost is the condition of your main electrical panel. If your panel is old, made by a problematic brand, or completely full with no open slots, the project becomes more complex. Installing a new circuit might require the installation of a smaller subpanel to create more space, which adds considerable labor and material costs. In some cases, a full main panel upgrade might be the best long term solution. This is a major project but ensures your home’s electrical system is safe and has the capacity for modern demands. We always provide a comprehensive quote that details all costs before beginning any work, ensuring you understand the full scope of the project.

Circuit breakers, like any mechanical device, can wear out and fail over time. One of the most common reasons for failure is simple old age. A typical circuit breaker has a lifespan of around 30 to 40 years. As they age, the internal components, such as the springs and tripping mechanism, can become weak or corroded. This can cause the breaker to fail in one of two ways. It might start “nuisance tripping,” where it trips at a current level below its rating, or it might fail to trip at all during an actual overload, which is a very dangerous condition. If your home has an older electrical panel, it is wise to have the breakers inspected and possibly replaced as a preventative measure.

Frequent overloading can also cause a circuit breaker to wear out prematurely. Every time a breaker trips and is reset, it causes a small amount of wear on the internal mechanism. If a circuit is constantly being overloaded, forcing the breaker to trip repeatedly, it will accelerate this wear and tear. This can lead to the breaker failing much sooner than its expected lifespan. This is another reason why it is important not to simply keep resetting a breaker that trips often. The correct solution is to address the source of the overload by redistributing appliances to other circuits or having a new circuit installed. This not only solves the tripping issue but also preserves the life of your breakers.

External factors can also contribute to circuit breaker failure. Exposure to moisture from a leak or high humidity can cause corrosion on the internal components and the connection to the bus bar. This corrosion can lead to overheating and eventual failure. A nearby lightning strike can send a massive power surge through your electrical system, which can damage or destroy circuit breakers even if they manage to trip. In some cases, there may be a manufacturing defect, although this is less common with reputable brands. If you suspect a breaker has gone bad, it should be replaced promptly by a qualified electrician from Gragg Electrical Services to ensure your home’s circuits remain properly protected.

No, circuit breaker brands are generally not interchangeable. It is a common misconception that you can use any brand of breaker in any electrical panel, but this is incorrect and dangerous. Each manufacturer designs their electrical panels and circuit breakers to work together as a tested and listed system. The physical design of the breaker, including the way it clips onto the panel’s bus bar, is often proprietary. Forcing a breaker from one brand into a panel from another can result in a loose, insecure connection. This poor connection can lead to electrical arcing, overheating at the bus bar, and a significant risk of fire. It can also damage the panel itself.

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading safety certification organization, lists electrical panels for use only with specific circuit breakers manufactured by the same company. Using a different brand of breaker, often called a “foreign” or “alien” breaker, violates the panel’s UL listing. This is a code violation and will be flagged during a professional electrical inspection. More importantly, it creates an unsafe condition. The UL listing ensures that the panel and its designated breakers have been rigorously tested together to perform safely under fault conditions. Mixing and matching brands negates this critical safety certification, putting your home at risk. Our electricians will always use the correct, UL listed breakers specified for your particular brand of electrical panel.

While some third party companies manufacture “classified” breakers that are UL listed for use in multiple panel brands, it is always the best practice to use breakers from the original panel manufacturer. This guarantees a perfect fit and function as intended by the engineers who designed the system. If you have an older panel from a manufacturer that is no longer in business, such as Zinsco or Federal Pacific, the situation is different. These panels are known to be hazardous, and the correct solution is not to find a replacement breaker but to replace the entire panel. Gragg Electrical Services can identify your panel type and ensure only the correct, manufacturer approved breakers are installed for maximum safety.

A tandem circuit breaker, also known as a “cheater” or “slim” breaker, is a clever device designed to save space inside an electrical panel. It is essentially two separate circuit breakers condensed into a single one inch body that fits into one standard breaker slot. This allows you to control two separate circuits from a single slot that would normally only accommodate one. Tandem breakers are a common solution when an electrical panel is full, and you need to add one or two more circuits without upgrading the entire panel or adding a subpanel. They provide a code compliant way to increase the circuit capacity of an existing panel, but only under specific conditions.

It is crucial to understand that you cannot simply install a tandem breaker in any open slot. The ability to use a tandem breaker is determined by the design of the electrical panel itself. The panel’s labeling diagram, usually found on the inside of the panel door, will indicate which specific slots are designed to accept them. These slots have a special notch on the bus bar that allows the tandem breaker to make proper contact for both of its circuits. If you try to install a tandem breaker in a slot that is not designed for it, only one half of the breaker will receive power, and it will not be securely installed.

Our professional electricians at Gragg Electrical Services can examine your panel’s diagram and bus bar to determine if and where tandem breakers can be legally and safely installed. If your panel allows for them, they can be an effective and economical way to free up space for that new circuit you need for a garage outlet or a new appliance. However, if your panel is not designed to accept tandem breakers or if all the designated tandem slots are already in use, they are not a viable option. In that case, we would need to explore other solutions, such as installing a subpanel to provide the additional circuit capacity you require.

Work With The Top Circuit Breaker Installation Service Near You

Call Gragg Electrical Services to book your professional circuit breaker installation. Our expert electricians in East Canton are ready to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe and up to code.