Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s power system, and most Kamloops homes were built when 60 or 100 amp service was enough. Today, with electric vehicles, home offices, and high-draw appliances becoming the norm, that old panel may be struggling to keep up. If you’ve noticed flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, or a panel that feels warm to the touch, a panel upgrade could be exactly what your home needs.
- Sign 1: Your Breakers Are Tripping Constantly
- Sign 2: You Have an Outdated Panel or Low Amperage Service
- Sign 3: You Are Adding High-Draw Appliances or an EV Charger
- Sign 4: You Notice Flickering Lights or Inconsistent Power
- Sign 5: You Are Planning a Home Renovation or Addition
- Frequently Asked Questions
Sign 1: Your Breakers Are Tripping Constantly
A breaker that trips once in a while is doing exactly what it’s designed to do. But if you’re resetting the same breaker every few days, that’s your panel telling you it can’t handle the load you’re placing on it. This is one of the most common reasons Kamloops homeowners call us for a panel upgrade.
Frequent tripping often means a circuit is being asked to carry more current than it was wired for. Rather than simply resetting the breaker and moving on, the smarter move is to have a licensed electrician in Kamloops assess the root cause. In many cases, a 200 amp service upgrade redistributes load across properly sized circuits, eliminating the problem entirely. Ignoring repeated tripping isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a fire risk.
Sign 2: You Have an Outdated Panel or Low Amperage Service
Many Kamloops homes, especially those built before the 1990s, were equipped with 60 or 100 amp panels. At the time, that was sufficient. Modern households run dishwashers, dryers, air conditioners, computers, and smart home devices simultaneously, and a 100 amp service simply wasn’t designed for that kind of demand.
Some older homes still have Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, which have known reliability and safety issues. If your panel is more than 25 years old, or if the breaker labels are faded and the wiring looks dated, it’s worth having a professional take a look. Our residential electrical team comes to your home to assess the panel and give you an honest recommendation. Upgrading to 200 amp service brings your home in line with current electrical code and gives you room to grow.
Sign 3: You Are Adding High-Draw Appliances or an EV Charger
Electric vehicle ownership is rising steadily across British Columbia, and Kamloops is no exception. A Level 2 home EV charger installation typically requires a dedicated 240-volt, 40 to 50 amp circuit. If your panel is already running near capacity, adding that circuit without a panel upgrade isn’t just impractical, it may not be possible.
The same logic applies to hot tubs, electric ranges, and whole-home generators. A hot tub electrician will tell you the same thing: high-draw equipment needs dedicated circuits with adequate amperage behind them. A 200 amp service upgrade gives your home the capacity to handle these additions safely, without overloading what’s already in place. Planning ahead now saves you from having to upgrade twice.
Sign 4: You Notice Flickering Lights or Inconsistent Power
Lights that flicker when you run the microwave or dim when the dryer kicks on are signs of voltage fluctuation. This happens when your panel can’t supply consistent power across all active circuits. It might seem like a minor annoyance, but over time it can damage sensitive electronics and put extra stress on your wiring.
Voltage issues can also cause appliances to run inefficiently, shortening their lifespan and costing you more in energy bills. If you’ve noticed these symptoms, we recommend booking an on-site inspection with our team before the problem escalates. Routine electrical maintenance can catch issues early, but persistent flickering usually points to a panel that’s reached the end of its useful life. A 200 amp panel upgrade resolves the underlying capacity issue rather than patching individual symptoms.
Sign 5: You Are Planning a Home Renovation or Addition
Finishing a basement, adding a garage, or building a suite all come with electrical requirements that your existing panel may not support. Before permits are pulled and walls go up, it’s the right time to assess whether your service can handle the new load. Trying to add circuits to an already full panel creates safety risks and may not pass inspection.
Larger renovations often add enough load that your existing service cannot support it, and adequate service capacity may be needed to pass inspection; a 200 amp upgrade is a common solution. Getting this done at the start of a project, rather than partway through, keeps the build on schedule. If your renovation includes outdoor features like permanent outdoor lights or a generator installation, the additional capacity of a 200 amp panel makes those additions straightforward. We come to your home, assess your current setup, and walk you through what the upgrade involves before any work begins.
If any of these signs sound familiar, our team at Rooham Electric is ready to help. We serve homes across Kamloops and come to you, so there’s no need to take time out of your day. Whether you need a quick assessment or a full 200 amp service upgrade, we make the process straightforward from start to finish. Reach out through our electrician page to book your on-site visit today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 200 amp panel upgrade cost in Kamloops?
Most 200 amp service upgrades in Kamloops typically cost about $1,500 to $3,500 including permits and labor, depending on the scope of work, the condition of existing wiring, and whether BC Hydro service upgrades are required. The best way to get an accurate number is to have a licensed electrician assess your home on-site, since every panel situation is a little different.
How long does a 200 amp panel upgrade take?
A standard panel upgrade typically takes one full day, usually six to eight hours. If the job requires coordination with BC Hydro for a meter base upgrade or service entrance work, there may be a brief period where power to the home is off while the connection is made. We schedule around your routine as much as possible and keep you informed every step of the way.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Kamloops?
Yes, a permit is required for any electrical panel upgrade in Kamloops under Technical Safety BC regulations. We handle the permit process on your behalf, so you don’t need to manage the paperwork. All work is inspected to ensure it meets the BC Electrical Code, which protects you and keeps your home insurable.
Will a 200 amp panel upgrade affect my home insurance?
Yes, in a positive way. Some insurers in BC consider the age and condition of your panel. Upgrading from an older 60 or 100 amp panel, especially a known problem brand like Federal Pacific, may help your premium and, in some cases, may be required to keep coverage. Ask your insurer about their specific requirements.
Is 200 amp service enough for a home with an EV charger and electric heating?
For most Kamloops homes, 200 amp service is enough to support an EV charger, electric heating, and standard household loads, provided the circuits are properly sized and distributed. Homes with very high electrical demands, such as large electric heating systems plus multiple EV chargers, may benefit from load management devices or, in rare cases, a 400 amp service. We assess your actual usage during the on-site visit and recommend the right solution for your home.
