Electrical Panel Upgrade in Orlando: Safe, Code-Compliant Power

Is Your Electrical Panel Outdated or Unsafe? We Can Help.

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home, but in many Orlando properties, that heart is struggling to keep up. Whether you are dealing with flickering lights, planning a kitchen remodel, or receiving a warning from your insurance company about an outdated panel, you need a solution that guarantees safety and capacity. An electrical panel upgrade isn’t just a repair; it is an investment in your home’s future and your family’s peace of mind.

At A-Lumination Electric, we have been keeping the lights on in Central Florida since 1989. We understand that electrical work can feel overwhelming, which is why we focus on upfront pricing and clear communication—no surprises, just safe, code-compliant power. From replacing dangerous Zinsco or Federal Pacific hardware to installing modern 200-amp systems for today’s high-tech homes, our licensed team handles the permits, the heavy lifting, and the inspections so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Need a safer, more reliable electrical panel? Call us at (386) 200-5010 or use our online form to schedule a free estimate today.

Why Your Orlando Home Needs an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Many homes in Central Florida were built decades ago when our electrical needs were much simpler. Back then, a household might have had a refrigerator, a television, and a few lights. Today, however, the average Orlando home is powering high-capacity air conditioning units, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, smart appliances, and dozens of personal devices simultaneously. This massive increase in demand puts an incredible strain on older electrical panels, often pushing them beyond their safe operating limits. If your panel is rated for only 100 amps or less, you are likely already capping out your capacity, which can lead to overheating wires and significant fire risks.

Beyond just capacity, the physical condition of your panel deteriorates over time. Connections loosen, breakers wear out, and corrosion from our humid Florida climate can compromise the system's integrity. An electrical panel upgrade in Orlando is often necessary not just for adding new appliances, but simply to ensure your home meets current National Electrical Code (NEC) safety standards. Upgrading your panel ensures that your breakers will trip when they are supposed to, protecting your wiring from melting and preventing electrical fires before they start.

Furthermore, a modern panel upgrade is often a requirement for homeowners insurance in Florida. Insurance carriers are increasingly strict about the age and type of electrical systems they will cover. If you live in an older neighborhood like College Park or Winter Park and still have a fuse box or an obsolete breaker panel, you may face higher premiums or policy cancellation. Upgrading to a modern system satisfies insurers, improves your home’s resale value, and provides the reliable power foundation you need for modern living.

Common signs that it is time to call us:

• Frequent Breaker Trips: If running the microwave and the vacuum at the same time kills the power, your system is overloaded.
• Flickering or Dimming Lights: This often indicates loose connections or a panel that cannot handle the startup load of large appliances like your AC.
• Warmth or Burning Smells: If your panel feels hot to the touch or smells like burning plastic, this is an immediate emergency.
• visible Corrosion or Rust: Florida’s humidity can rust internal components, leading to poor connections and arcing.
• Reliance on Power Strips: Using multiple extension cords means you lack sufficient circuits, a problem solved by a panel upgrade.

Our Comprehensive Electrical Panel Upgrade Process in Orlando 

At A-Lumination Electric, we believe that a major home improvement project should not be a source of stress. That is why we have refined our panel upgrade process to be seamless, transparent, and efficient. It begins with a thorough assessment of your current system. We don't just look at the panel; we evaluate your grounding system, check your service entrance cables for weather damage, and calculate your home’s electrical load to ensure we size your new panel correctly. This attention to detail ensures that your new system isn't just new—it's engineered specifically for your home's needs.

Once we have a plan, we provide you with Upfront Pricing. Unlike other contractors who might give you a vague estimate and then hit you with hourly charges or surprise fees mid-job, we tell you exactly what the project will cost before we loosen a single screw. We handle all the logistics, including pulling the necessary electrical permits from the City of Orlando or Orange/Seminole County. We also schedule the inspection, so you don't have to navigate the bureaucracy of local building departments.

On installation day, our licensed electricians work with precision and respect for your property. We lay down protection for your floors, label every breaker in your new panel clearly (so you're never guessing which switch controls the kitchen), and clean up our workspace thoroughly when we are done. We use only high-quality materials and panels from trusted manufacturers like Eaton, Generac, and Lutron, ensuring that your investment is protected by industry-leading warranties.

What is included in your upgrade:

• Load Calculation: precise sizing of your panel based on current and future needs.
• Permitting & Inspection: We handle all paperwork and coordination with city/county officials.
• Grounding & Bonding: Updating your grounding system to meet current NEC safety codes.
• Clear Labeling: A neatly organized directory so you know exactly what each breaker controls.
• Whole-Home Surge Protection: (Optional but recommended) Integration of surge defense to protect your electronics from Florida lightning.

Is your home showing these signs? Call us today at (386) 200-5010, or contact us online for a safety assessment.

The Hidden Danger: Replacing Federal Pacific & Zinsco Panels

One of the most critical reasons for an electrical panel upgrade in Orlando is the presence of specific, dangerous panel brands installed between the 1950s and 1980s. The two most notorious culprits are Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) "Stab-Lok" panels and Zinsco (or GTE-Sylvania) panels. While these panels were code-compliant at the time of installation, decades of data and field testing have proven them to be significant latent fire hazards. Unlike modern breakers that trip when a circuit is overloaded, FPE and Zinsco breakers have a high failure rate, meaning they often fail to trip even when the wires are overheating and burning inside your walls.

For homeowners in Orlando, having one of these panels is often a dealbreaker for real estate transactions and insurance policies. Home inspectors will almost always flag these panels as "defective" or "hazardous," requiring immediate replacement before a sale can close. Insurance companies are equally wary; many will refuse to write a new policy or renew an existing one until the panel is replaced by a licensed electrician. This isn't just bureaucratic red tape—it is a genuine safety issue rooted in the mechanical failure of the breakers themselves.

At A-Lumination Electric, we specialize in the safe identification and removal of these hazardous panels. We don't just swap them out; we carefully trace your circuits, ensure your existing wiring is safe, and replace the dangerous equipment with top-tier brands like Eaton, Square D, or Siemens. We handle the entire process, from pulling the permit to coordinating with the local utility for the power disconnect, ensuring that your home is brought up to modern safety standards quickly and efficiently.

Why FPE and Zinsco panels must go:

• Failure to Trip: Breakers can jam in the "on" position, allowing infinite current to flow until the wire melts.
• Bus Bar Corrosion: Zinsco panels often suffer from corrosion between the breaker and the bus bar, causing arcing and heat buildup.
• Insurance Liability: Most major carriers in Florida will not insure a home with these specific panels due to fire risk.
• False Security: Just because the panel has "worked fine for 30 years" does not mean it is safe; the defect is dormant until an overload occurs.

Why Choose A-Lumination Electric? Trusted in Orlando Since 1989

Choosing an electrician for a panel upgrade is a decision based on trust. You are inviting someone into your home to work on a system that is critical for your safety. A-Lumination Electric has been a fixture in the Central Florida community since 1989. We are not a fly-by-night operation or a franchise with a revolving door of technicians. We are a family-owned business that has spent over three decades building a reputation for honesty, technical excellence, and reliability. We know the specific electrical challenges of our area, from the historic wiring in downtown Orlando bungalows to the specific code requirements of new developments in Lake Nona.

Our commitment to Upfront Pricing sets us apart in an industry often plagued by hidden costs. We believe you deserve to know the price of the job before work begins, and that price shouldn't change just because the job takes a little longer than expected. Our technicians are not paid on commission, which means they will never try to sell you a repair or upgrade you don't need. Their only goal is to leave your home safer than they found it.

We also pride ourselves on our technical expertise. Panel upgrades require a deep understanding of electrical theory, code compliance, and utility coordination. Our team is constantly training on the latest NEC updates and safety technologies. When you choose A-Lumination Electric, you are choosing a partner who values your safety as much as you do. We don't cut corners, we don't use cheap parts, and we stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Our promises to you:

• Licensed & Insured: Fully credentialed professionals protecting your home and liability.
• No Hourly Billing: One flat, upfront price for the entire project.
• Local Expertise: Deep knowledge of Orlando, Winter Park, and Central Florida electrical codes.
• Respectful Service: We wear shoe covers, use drop cloths, and clean up after ourselves.

Need a reliable electrician fast? Get a professional panel upgrade with zero hourly billing surprises. Call (386) 200-5010, or contact us online to schedule your upgrade.