Electrical Service & Panel Upgrades in Fort Wayne & Northeast Indiana

Common signs include frequently tripping breakers, a panel that's warm to the touch, visible corrosion or rust on the panel, flickering lights when appliances turn on, a fuse box instead of a breaker panel, or a panel with fewer than 20 spaces. If your home was built before 1990 and still has its original panel, it likely can't keep up with modern electrical demands. If you're planning to add an EV charger, hot tub, or major appliance, your current panel may not have the capacity. Belgian Electric can evaluate your panel and give you a straightforward assessment.

A 100-amp panel provides 100 amps of total electrical capacity to your home, which was standard for homes built before the 1980s. A 200-amp panel doubles that capacity and is the current standard for most residential construction. The larger panel provides enough power for modern demands including central air conditioning, electric ranges, EV chargers, and other high-draw appliances. For homes over 3,000 square feet or with significant electrical needs, 300-amp or 400-amp services may be appropriate. We'll recommend the right size based on your current and anticipated needs.

A straightforward panel upgrade — replacing an existing panel with a new one in the same location — typically takes one full day, about 6 to 8 hours. If the project also involves a service change (upgrading the meter base and utility connection), it may take a day and a half to two days due to required utility coordination. We schedule utility disconnection to minimize the time your home is without power, and we test every circuit before we leave.

Yes. Electrical panel upgrades and service changes require a permit in Fort Wayne, Allen County, and throughout Indiana. The permit ensures that the work is inspected and meets current National Electrical Code requirements. Belgian Electric handles the entire permitting process — from application to final inspection — so you don't have to deal with the paperwork or scheduling. Our work consistently passes inspection the first time.

The main cost factors include the amperage of the new panel (200A vs. 300A+), whether the meter base and utility service also need to be upgraded, the location and accessibility of the panel, whether the panel is being relocated, the condition of existing wiring and grounding, and whether additional circuits or sub-panels are being added at the same time. Belgian Electric provides detailed, itemized quotes so you understand exactly what's included and there are no surprises.

We strongly recommend it. A whole-home surge protector installs directly at your electrical panel and protects all of your home's electrical devices from power surges caused by lightning, utility switching, or equipment failures. It's a relatively small addition to a panel upgrade project but provides significant protection for expensive electronics, appliances, and HVAC equipment. We can install a quality surge protection device during your panel upgrade for a fraction of what it would cost to replace damaged electronics.