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Upgrading Circuit Panel in Home

Posted on 11/12/25 at 1:52 pm
Posted by hottub
Member since Dec 2012
3651 posts
Posted on 11/12/25 at 1:52 pm
We have an older home and the breaker panel hasn’t been upgraded to meet 2025 electrical needs of home. Breakers routinely trip, buzz sometimes, and lights flicker often.

Have gotten several opinions but the one that makes most sense to me with very little electrical knowledge, is adding a sub panel.

200 AMP feed btw.

Any experience or knowledge on this subject would be greatly appreciated

TIA
This post was edited on 11/12/25 at 3:17 pm
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16282 posts
Posted on 11/12/25 at 2:16 pm to
I have one large feed panel and 2 subpanels. It's ideal to work on as you can shut off the feed panel to each one separately if you need to work on it. I was able to upgrade the subpanels myself this way.
Posted by BR Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2004
4390 posts
Posted on 11/12/25 at 8:18 pm to
quote:

Upgrading Circuit Panel in Home

quote:

hottub


Name checks out
Posted by T-Jon
Member since Jan 2012
95 posts
Posted on 11/12/25 at 10:46 pm to
Hiring a licensed electrician is probably your best move, unless you want to learn how to run load calcs.

I don’t think anyone will be able to help you with the information you provided, other than recommending an electrician.

If you just need more space for additional circuits, and a electrician gave you the advise, adding a sub panel is likely the way to go.
This post was edited on 11/12/25 at 10:55 pm
Posted by TaderSalad
mudbug territory
Member since Jul 2014
25845 posts
Posted on 11/13/25 at 6:29 am to
I've replaced a couple of panels in houses. It's not that hard if you have any inkling of DIY work. Get a generator for your fridge and lights to do the work.

Biggest thing you need to figure out is if your house has 2 wires w/ground or not. If you don't have a ground then upgrading the panel is kind of pointless.

If you're simply doing a remove and replace on the panel, it shouldn't take you that long. Don't go cheap on the panel and breakers. I went with SquareD plug on neutral bar. Biggest thing you want to do is make sure all your connections are tight as any loose ones will result in sparks/excess heat.
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
18818 posts
Posted on 11/13/25 at 9:31 am to
quote:

If you don't have a ground then upgrading the panel is kind of pointless.


Driving a ground rod is not difficult. Also, even older houses are typically grounded at the main service connection, it's usually just tied to the municipal water entrance pipe.

quote:

If you're simply doing a remove and replace on the panel, it shouldn't take you that long.


Have to make sure the panel can be electrically isolated first, if there is no service disconnect already then they will have to get an electrician and/or the utility to pull the meter. That also means a permit is pulled in most cases.

Posted by Deerhunter62
Member since Mar 2014
348 posts
Posted on 11/13/25 at 1:36 pm to
You need a certified electrician. Period!
Posted by TaderSalad
mudbug territory
Member since Jul 2014
25845 posts
Posted on 11/14/25 at 5:39 am to
quote:

Driving a ground rod is not difficult. Also, even older houses are typically grounded at the main service connection, it's usually just tied to the municipal water entrance pipe.



Was more referring to inside the home. Then OP would be talking about a full rewire.

Agreed on your other point. Whole house disconnect is a must for a DIY side project.
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