Electrical Service Upgrade
Gragg Electrical Services performs professional electrical service upgrades to increase your home’s power capacity. Our electricians in East Canton, OH ensure your home can safely handle modern electrical demands.

Top Electrical Service Upgrade Service in East Canton, OH
A main electrical service upgrade is a comprehensive project that modernizes and enhances your home’s entire electrical foundation. Gragg Electrical Services is the leading expert in full service upgrades in the East Canton area. We replace your old, undersized service equipment with a new, high-capacity system. This is essential for older homes struggling to keep up with today’s power demands. An upgrade to 150 or 200 amps allows you to safely add major appliances, remodel your kitchen, or install an EV charger. It improves safety by replacing aging components and bringing your system up to current code. Trust our licensed electricians to manage this complex project with professionalism and precision. An electrical service upgrade is the ultimate investment in your home’s safety, capability, and value.
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Electrical Service Upgrade
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Electrical Service Upgrade
An electrical service upgrade is a complete overhaul of the main power-feeding equipment for your home. This project goes beyond just a panel change; it involves replacing all the core components that bring electricity from the utility’s lines into your house. This includes the service entrance conductors, the electric meter base, and the main electrical panel itself. The primary goal of a service upgrade is to increase your home’s total electrical capacity, typically from an older 60 or 100-amp service to the modern standard of 150 or 200 amps. The team at Gragg Electrical Services manages this entire complex process, ensuring a safe and seamless transition to a more powerful and reliable electrical system.
The most compelling reason for a service upgrade is to meet the demands of modern living. Homes built decades ago were not designed for the sheer number of electrical devices we use today. A 100-amp service can be easily overwhelmed by central air conditioning, electric cooking, and multiple computers and entertainment systems running at once. This leads to tripping breakers and flickering lights. If you are planning a major kitchen remodel, adding a home addition, or installing a powerful new appliance like a hot tub or electric vehicle charger, a service upgrade is not just recommended, it is often a necessity to safely handle the new electrical load.
The process of a service upgrade begins with careful planning and coordination with your local utility company. Our electricians will handle all the necessary permits and schedule a temporary disconnection of your power. On the day of the upgrade, the utility will de-energize the service drop to your home. Our team will then get to work, starting on the outside of your house. We will remove the old service mast or riser, the weathered service entrance cables, and the old meter base. We replace these with new, larger-capacity components that are rated for your new, more powerful service.
The new service entrance conductors we install are significantly thicker than the old ones to safely carry the higher amperage. We install a new, modern meter base that is clean and weather-tight, ensuring a secure connection for the utility’s electric meter. We pay close attention to the service mast and weatherhead, ensuring a strong, waterproof entry point for the wires on your home. This exterior work is crucial for the long-term durability and safety of your electrical service, protecting it from the harsh Ohio weather for decades to come. Every component we install is of the highest quality and meets or exceeds code requirements.
Inside your home, we replace the old, undersized electrical panel with a new, high-capacity main breaker panel. A 200-amp panel, for example, not only has a larger main breaker but also has more physical space for all your home’s circuit breakers. This provides plenty of empty slots for future circuits, so you will not have to worry about running out of space again. We carefully transfer each of your existing circuits into the new panel, ensuring every wire is connected to a new, reliable breaker and that all connections are properly torqued. We pride ourselves on creating a neat, well-organized, and clearly labeled panel.
A critical and mandatory part of any service upgrade is the installation of a new, code-compliant grounding electrode system. A safe electrical system relies on a solid connection to the earth. We will install new ground rods and connect the system to your metallic water pipes, as required by the current National Electrical Code. This ensures that your new, powerful service has the proper safety backbone to protect your home and family from shocks and faults. This grounding system is a non-negotiable part of the upgrade and is something our electricians perform with meticulous care.
Upon completion, a service upgrade provides immense benefits. It eliminates the frustrating performance issues of an overloaded system, like flickering lights. It dramatically enhances the electrical safety of your home by replacing old, worn-out equipment with modern, reliable components. It gives you the power and capacity you need to modernize your home with the latest technologies and appliances. Finally, a new 200-amp service is a significant feature that adds considerable value to your property. It is a powerful investment in your home’s future.e rebuilt so the utility can get you back on the grid as quickly as possible.

Mike W. Was so kind and was very concerned of our needs. We had a gfi box where the wire had croaded. And it was installed 30 yrs ago. Gragg electric was referred by our neighbor Nate Bergert they was here in 24 hours

Gragg Electric came through for us on our FULL GRIP Store Project in downtown Akron. The building was built in 1930 and Gragg took on the challenge. Great work guys!

This was a residential job to rewire (completely) a 70 year old house, so not an easy task. It took the amount of time I expected. I also expected my house to look like swiss cheese after the work was done. That was not the case at all. They found ways to fish wire that resulted in about 30% of the holes I expected. A new panel replaced a 10 year old panel put in by JENNINGS which was full of water, rust & damage. They replaced the service drop and weather-head. It was a lot of work and I am happy with the completed job. I would call them again for future work. Ask for Sean!

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

A top notch company that is willing to do anything and everything to make you happy. The field team is great to work with, and the communication with the office staff is the best I've come across in a very long time. I build homes for a living, and Gragg hasn't missed a deadline yet and are always one of the neatest sub contractors I deal with. If you're looking for an electrical contractor, this is where you want to be.

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

Gragg electrical services has been nothing but great for all of our requests. They are timely on services and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommended for any electrical work needed.

Absolutely the best! Best price, most professional & friendliest ever. From the 1st initial phone call, to our tech Don who was outstanding. Will continue to use them in the future & would highly recommend them.

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.

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.

Gragg Electrical Services: They helped us out in a pinch. We had an issue where we need someone out the same day to deal with a parking lot lighting issue. Not only did they come out same day and diagnose the issue. They were able to provide a solution and come out the next day to resolve it. Mind you we had other vendors on this who could not provide the same level of service Gragg Electrical did. I will be using them again for any electrical needs we have. Thank you so much for hard work on this for us.

Don was exceptional! Very quick response time, professional, knowledgeable and super friendly. Our new go-to electrician!

I had an electrical emergency! Gragg Electrical sent Don out the same day I called! He handled my emergency, explained everything, and answered all my questions! The cost was reasonable, actually less than expected! I have already referred them to my family and friends and will use them in the future!

A very professional trustworthy company Faith based with true Christian values Technicians able to resolve problems and make recommendations A true customer service oriented company Thank you for a very good repair job

Don came out to diagnose my outlet outage in the kitchens. He reset them and checked the breaker box. He assured me everything was fine. I will definitely use Bragg again and highly recommend Bragg Electric in East Canton OH.

Quick responses to any of my questions and cut out to give the estimate the very next day

Gragg is Best co, I’ve had several electric companies in my home and none of them could resolve my issues! Very intelligent/ knowledgeable! Gragg is now my electricians for life!

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!!!!!!

I had an issue and they were able to come right out. 150 for the service charge. But it was a power company problem, it's fixed. But appreciated Gragg electrical for being so flexible and professional. Also the technician explained everything to me in a way I understood.

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!!!!!!

I called them to install a kitchen light, and add light switches, as well as to install some plugs in my basement. While he was there, he also fixed the issue with my outside motion light in the process (as it tied into the same switch plate). The customer service and professionalism for this company is phenomenal. They answer your call and/ or call you back quickly. They communicate exactly when they are coming as they set up an appointment, and called the day of to let me know he was on his way. I strongly recommend this company and will be sure to use them for future electrical needs.

Gragg Electric was courteous, fast, efficient and very reasonably priced. Someone you can appreciate when you need electrical work done. Will definitely call them if needed again.

Brandon came right away and provided a quote for work I needed done. David and Zach did the inside work for me and they were very professional and super nice guys. We had a little adventure when they had to enter to attic which unfortunately had a quite large number of winged rats to fight off. These guys are great electricians, but they are pretty brave too 🙂

Brandon and his team were great! I called them when I was in a pinch. He provided fast, detailed service, and kept me informed every step of the way! Definitely recommending Gragg to everyone I know and meet in the future:) Thanks for the help!!

Gragg's service was first class from their timely estimate to the last inspection! David was very knowledgeable, friendly and got the job done.

Extremely professional from start to finish. Very clear precise plan that was followed through without any issues. Quality work. Gragg will be my go to electricians.

We have utilized Gragg Electrical for many years!! Would not go anywhere else. They are trustworthy and excellent electricians and genuinely good people!

Brandon, David and his crew are great!!! They arrived on time and completed my long list of electrical work that needed to be done... this is the 4th time we have used Gragg electric... the prices are very fair as well ! we will never go anywhere else!!! Next comes the inground pool 🙂

Professional. Arrived timely. Explained issues. Nice guys. Reasonable price. We will call them in future for electrical work. Recommend them to anyone looking for an electrician.

I highly recommend this company. They arrived on time very professional and you got done in a timely manner. This is the second time I’ve used this company and I will be using them again in the future !!

Gragg electric was a blessing to have do the work for our new construction home. Very trustworthy and did a wonderful job!

I just want to say what a joy it was to have Gragg Electrical Services, LLC work on my house today. The electricians were very knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. They cleaned up after when they were done. Everything went great. They took care of all my wants and needs and I had a long list of wishes that they took care of. I highly recommend them. I will be a returning customer. 😀 Thank you Brandon, David and the entire team who made my dreams a reality.
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Most Common Electrical Service Upgrade Questions
A main electrical service upgrade is a major home improvement project that modernizes your home’s power supply. Homeowners often have questions about what this process entails and why it is needed. Here are answers to the most common questions about electrical service upgrades.
There are a few ways a homeowner can determine the size of their home’s current electrical service. The most reliable method is to look at the main circuit breaker in your electrical panel. Open the door to your panel and look for the largest breaker, which is typically located at the very top or very bottom of the panel, and is often physically separate from the other breakers. This is the main breaker, and it will have a number stamped on its handle, such as “60,” “100,” “150,” or “200.” This number represents the amperage rating of your home’s service and is the maximum amount of current your entire house can draw.
If your panel is very old and does not have a single main breaker, you may have an old fuse box with a main pull-out fuse block. This block will also have an amperage rating on it. Another clue can be the size of the large service entrance wires that run from your weatherhead down to the meter. While it takes a trained eye to judge accurately, the thickness of these cables can give a rough indication of the service size, with 200-amp service wires being noticeably thicker than 100-amp wires. You can also sometimes find the service rating listed on old inspection stickers inside the panel door.
While these methods can give you a good idea, the only way to be absolutely certain of your service size and, more importantly, its condition, is to have a licensed electrician evaluate it. An electrician can confirm the rating of your service and will also perform a load calculation to determine if that service size is actually adequate for your home’s needs. They can also identify any safety issues with your panel or wiring that you might not be aware of. If you are considering any major additions, a professional assessment is a necessary first step.
Upgrading a home’s electrical service from 100 amps to 200 amps is a comprehensive process that involves replacing all the main components of your electrical service entrance. It starts with your electrician obtaining a permit and coordinating with your local utility provider for a temporary power disconnection. On the day of the upgrade, the utility company shuts off power to your home. The electrician then begins by removing the old 100-amp equipment. This includes the electric meter, the meter base or socket on the side of your house, and the service entrance conductors, which are the large wires running from the connection point on your roof down to the panel.
The electrician then installs a brand new, 200-amp rated meter base and a new, thicker set of 200-amp rated service entrance conductors. If you have an overhead service, this may also involve replacing the service mast on your roof with a stronger, larger diameter one to support the heavier wires. Once all the exterior equipment is replaced, the electrician moves inside and replaces your old 100-amp electrical panel with a new 200-amp main breaker panel. All of your home’s existing circuits are then carefully reconnected to new breakers inside the new panel. A new code-compliant grounding system is also installed.
After the installation is complete, the work must be inspected by the local electrical inspector. Once the inspector approves the work and confirms it meets all safety codes, they will authorize the utility company to restore power. The utility company will then send a crew to reconnect the service drop wires to your new equipment and install the meter. It is a full-day project that results in a completely new, robust, and safe electrical foundation for your home, capable of handling twice the power of your old service.
The terms “service upgrade” and “panel upgrade” are often used interchangeably, but they can mean slightly different things. A “panel upgrade” or “panel changeout” can sometimes refer to simply replacing the electrical panel box itself while keeping the existing service amperage the same. This might be done if the only problem is that the panel is a hazardous brand like FPE or Zinsco, but the existing 100-amp service conductors and meter base are still in good condition and sufficient for the home’s needs. In this case, only the panel is being upgraded.
A “service upgrade,” on the other hand, almost always implies that you are increasing the amperage capacity of the service. Therefore, a service upgrade will always include a panel upgrade, but it also includes much more. To increase the service from 100 amps to 200 amps, you must upgrade all the components to be rated for 200 amps. This means you are replacing the panel, the meter base, and the service entrance wires. A service upgrade is a more comprehensive project that addresses the entire system from the point of connection with the utility inward.
When most people talk about needing a “panel upgrade” because they are running out of power or want to add a major appliance, what they usually need is a full “electrical service upgrade.” Simply replacing the panel with a new 100-amp panel would not give them any additional power. It is important to be clear about your goals with your electrician. At Gragg Electrical Services, we will assess your needs and determine if a simple panel changeout is sufficient or if a full service upgrade is the right solution to meet your goals for safety and capacity.
During a complete electrical service upgrade, you should plan for your home to be without power for most of a full workday. The process typically takes our team of electricians between eight and ten hours to complete. The power outage is necessary because we are replacing the main arteries of your electrical system. The work cannot be done safely while the system is energized. We coordinate with your electric utility provider to have a crew come out first thing in the morning, usually around 8 or 9 AM, to disconnect the power to your home from their transformer.
Once the power is confirmed to be off, our team works diligently throughout the day to remove all the old service equipment and install the new, larger-capacity system. This is a labor-intensive process that must be done with great care and precision. We work as efficiently as possible to minimize the time you are without electricity. After our installation is complete, it must be inspected by the local building inspector. We coordinate this inspection for the same afternoon. The inspector’s approval is required before the utility company is allowed to restore power.
Once the work has passed inspection, the utility company will send their crew back to reconnect your home to the grid. Our goal is always to have your power restored by the end of the business day, typically between 4 and 6 PM. We understand that being without power is a major inconvenience, and we will communicate the schedule with you clearly. We advise homeowners to charge their mobile devices beforehand, make plans for meals that do not require cooking, and consider arranging to work elsewhere for the day if they work from home.
Whether you need a full electrical service upgrade to install a Level 2 EV charger depends entirely on the existing capacity of your electrical system. An electrician must perform a load calculation to determine this. A Level 2 charger adds a significant and continuous load to your panel, typically requiring a dedicated circuit of 40, 50, or even 60 amps. The load calculation will determine if your current service can safely handle this new load in addition to all your existing appliances.
If your home already has a 200-amp service and is not packed with other large electric appliances, it is very likely that you have enough spare capacity to add a new EV charger circuit without needing a service upgrade. Most 200-amp services are robust enough to accommodate the extra demand. However, if your home has an older 100-amp service, the situation is much different. A 100-amp panel is often already at or near its maximum safe capacity in a modern home. Adding a 50-amp EV charger circuit to a 100-amp service is often not possible without dangerously overloading the system.
In this common scenario, a service upgrade to 150 or 200 amps would be required before the EV charger could be safely installed. This ensures that your electrical system is not only capable of charging your vehicle but also of running the rest of your home at the same time without issue. If you are considering an electric vehicle, one of the first steps should be to have an electrician from Gragg Electrical Services perform a load calculation on your home. We can tell you definitively if your current service is sufficient or if an upgrade will be a necessary part of your EV charger installation project.
Yes, in many cases, a main electrical service upgrade can resolve persistent problems with flickering or dimming lights. This common issue is often a symptom of an undersized and overloaded electrical service. When a large appliance with a motor, like your central air conditioner or your refrigerator, cycles on, it draws a huge initial surge of current. If your 100-amp service is already near its capacity, this large, sudden draw can cause the overall voltage in your home to dip momentarily. This voltage sag is what you see as your lights dimming or flickering. It is a sign that your electrical system is straining to keep up with the demand.
By upgrading your service to 200 amps, you are fundamentally increasing the capacity and robustness of your system. The new, thicker service entrance conductors have a lower resistance, and the new, larger panel and main breaker can handle much greater electrical loads. This means that when that same large appliance kicks on, it represents a much smaller percentage of the total available power. The upgraded system can handle the sudden current draw with ease, resulting in a much smaller, often unnoticeable, voltage dip. This leads to a more stable and reliable power supply throughout your entire home, eliminating the annoying dimming and flickering.
However, it is important to note that flickering lights can sometimes be caused by other issues, such as a loose neutral connection either in your panel or at the utility’s connection point. During the process of a service upgrade, all of these main connections are taken apart and remade with new, clean, and tight terminals, which would resolve such a problem. If you are experiencing flickering lights, an electrician can help diagnose the cause. If the diagnosis is an overloaded service, then an upgrade is the definitive and correct solution to the problem.
No, upgrading your electrical service will not, in and of itself, increase your monthly electric bill. Your electric bill is based on your consumption, which is the amount of electricity you actually use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The electric meter tracks your usage, and the utility company charges you based on that usage. A service upgrade simply increases the total capacity or the “size of the pipe” that delivers electricity to your home. It does not change the amount of electricity your appliances and devices consume. Your usage habits are what determine the size of your bill.
Think of it like the water pipe coming into your house. Upgrading from a small pipe to a larger pipe does not mean you will automatically use more water. It just means you have the ability to run more faucets at the same time without losing water pressure. Similarly, upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service does not mean you will use more electricity. It just gives you the ability to run more appliances simultaneously without overloading your system. Your television, lights, and toaster will all consume the exact same amount of power as they did before the upgrade.
In fact, an upgrade can sometimes lead to a slight increase in efficiency. By replacing old, corroded connections with new, clean, and tight ones, you can reduce electrical resistance, which can translate to a tiny reduction in wasted energy lost as heat. However, the main point is that the upgrade itself is neutral to your bill. The reason people often associate an upgrade with higher bills is that they usually perform the upgrade so they can add new, large appliances, like a hot tub or central air conditioning. It is the use of these new appliances, not the service upgrade itself, that will increase electricity consumption and lead to a higher bill.
An electrical service upgrade is a major home improvement project, and its cost reflects the complexity of the work and the amount of expensive materials involved. The price for an upgrade from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service can vary significantly based on the specific circumstances of your home. The biggest factors influencing the cost are the current market price of materials, particularly the heavy copper or aluminum wire used for the service conductors, and the amount of labor required. A simple, straightforward upgrade will cost less than one with significant complexities.
Factors that can increase the cost include the need to replace or extend the service mast on your roof to meet modern height clearance codes. If significant interior work is needed to mount the new, larger panel, that can also add to the labor cost. The total cost of the project quoted by a professional contractor will include all the necessary components: the new meter base, the new service entrance cable, the new 200-amp main breaker panel, and a full complement of new circuit breakers for all of your home’s circuits. The price also includes the permit fees and the labor for coordination with the utility company.
While it is a significant investment, it is important to view a service upgrade in terms of the value and safety it adds to your home. It is not just a repair; it is a fundamental improvement of your home’s infrastructure. At Gragg Electrical Services, we provide detailed, all-inclusive, upfront pricing for all service upgrades. We will provide you with a firm quote that covers every aspect of the project, so you can budget effectively and confidently for this crucial home safety and modernization project.
Work With The Top Electrical Service Upgrade Service Near You
Contact Gragg Electrical Services to schedule a consultation for your electrical service upgrade. Our East Canton electricians are ready to provide the safe, reliable power your modern home requires.