What to Expect During a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade in Seattle.



What to Expect During a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade in Seattle.

Any building owner—whether residential or commercial—is responsible for maintaining their electrical systems. And when it comes to safety, performance, and compliance, the single most important component to maintain is the Electrical Circuit Distribution Center, commonly known as the load center, panel box, panel board, switchgear, or circuit breaker box.

This is the heart of your building’s electrical system. It’s where power from the utility company is distributed through circuits to appliances, lighting, and outlets. When these panels are outdated, overloaded, or installed improperly, they can pose serious fire hazards, lead to system failures, and even violate Washington State electrical code—leaving you exposed to legal and insurance risks.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • What to expect during a 200-amp panel upgrade in Seattle
  • What permits are required
  • What homeowners and property managers should do to prepare
  • What a typical upgrade costs in 2025

Do You Need a Panel Upgrade? Here’s How to Tell

If you own a home or building with a 100-amp electrical panel installed before 1970, there’s a good chance it’s:

  • Outdated
  • Overloaded
  • Lacking breaker space for new circuits

You should also check your panel’s label. If it says:

  • Zinsco
  • FPE (Federal Pacific Electric)
  • Sylvania

…it’s a red flag. These brands are known for serious safety issues, including breakers failing to trip, and should be replaced immediately.

Common Reasons to Upgrade to 200 Amps:

  • Installing a Level 2 EV charger
  • Switching to an induction cooktop or electric range
  • Adding an instant electric water heater
  • Installing a heat pump for heating/cooling
  • Planning future additions or accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

Permit and Code Requirements (With RCW/WAC Reference)

Yes, a permit is always required in Washington State. Only a licensed electrical contractor can legally perform this work.

OHM Electrical Contracting pulls all required permits and coordinates with the city or the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to ensure proper inspections.

Relevant code references:

  • WAC 296-46B-900: Permit Requirements for Electrical Work
  • RCW 19.28.010: Licensing and scope of electrical work

Inspections are mandatory, and final connection is only allowed once the work passes code review.

Step-by-Step Process of a Typical 200-Amp Panel Upgrade

1. Site Visit and Load Calculation

An OHM technician visits the property to:

  • Review your existing panel and power needs
  • Perform a load calculation as per NEC 220
  • Assess access, panel condition, and system grounding

2. Permit and Utility Notification

  • We handle all permitting
  • We notify Seattle City Light (SCL), PSE, or the relevant utility
  • We prepare and submit a service application and required load calculation

3. Meter Location Evaluation

After submitting the service application, a utility Meter Technician is assigned to:

  • Approve the proposed meter location
  • Verify utility clearance:
    • 3 feet from gas, water, and other foreign utilities
    • 18 inches clearance on both sides of the meter
  • Determine if the current meter location meets code (older locations may not be approved under new standards)
  • 3 feet from gas, water, and other foreign utilities
  • 18 inches clearance on both sides of the meter

If your service is:

  • Overhead: tree pruning may be required
  • Underground: trenching or conduit upgrades may be needed, which could trigger additional permits (e.g., sidewalk closures, right-of-way access)

These factors can affect both cost and project duration.

4. Drywall or Siding Repair (If Applicable)

If the panel or meter location changes, some demolition is likely. OHM informs you ahead of time which areas may require:

  • Drywall patching
  • Siding or stucco repair

5. How Long Does It Take?

  • Overhead service: 2.5 to 4 days
  • Underground service: 6 to 7 days (more coordination involved)
  • Power outage: usually 8 to 10 hours during final cutover

6. Scheduling Utility Disconnection

  • OHM works with the utility to schedule disconnection and reconnection
  • Utilities have final control over scheduling
  • In some cases, temporary connections may be approved to minimize downtime

7. Final Inspection and Utility Connection

  • A city or state electrical inspector performs the final inspection
  • Once approved, the utility makes permanent connections

8. Utility Charges

The utility company typically bills the property owner directly for:

  • Transformer upgrades
  • New underground service cable
  • Meter installation work

These charges must be paid before the final connection is made.

Why Choose OHM Electrical Contracting

  • Licensed, bonded, and trusted in Seattle
  • Transparent pricing, no upselling, and zero shortcuts
  • We handle everything: permits, inspections, utility coordination, and cleanup

Call to Action

Need a 200-amp upgrade in Seattle? Call OHM Electrical Contracting LLC today or request a free quote online. We’ll guide you through permits, utilities, and the full installation—so you can power your home safely and confidently.

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