Many homes in Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Valencia, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and Westridge were built between the 1960s and the 1990s—often with early‑generation electrical panels, limited wiring capacity, and occasionally even outdated knob‑and‑tube or cloth‑insulated wiring. These systems may have been adequate at the time, but today’s households demand far more:
Increased electrical load: Modern homes often include EV chargers, home offices, smart appliances, heat‑pump water heaters, and solar systems—all of which can overwhelm a 60‑ or 100‑amp panel originally designed for fewer circuits.
Aging breakers and wiring: Breakers in older panels can wear out, fail to trip properly, or exhibit signs like flickering lights, buzzing or humming breakers, or breaker tripping under minimal load—all potential indicators of failing internal components.
Insurance and permitting concerns: Insurance companies in the SCV increasingly require upgraded electrical panels in homes over 25 years old to maintain coverage. Santa Clarita city and county regulations mandate a licensed electrical contractor (C‑10) pull a permit and follow the California Electrical Code and amendments when replacing or upgrading panels; upgrades of 400 amps or more require sealed plans and load calculations
Newhall and Saugus: Among the oldest neighborhoods in Santa Clarita, many tract homes date back to the 1960s–70s. These homes often still have original 60A or 100A panels, which may not safely support modern usage.
Canyon Country: Development spans from early post‑war homes in Whites Canyon to newer builds in Skyline Ranch and Vista Canyon (2010s onward). Older homes in Pinetree, Mint Canyon, Oak Spring Canyon likely have outdated panels.
Valencia and Stevenson Ranch: Valencia’s master‑planned communities began in the 1960s, with substantial expansion through the 1990s. Stevenson Ranch, largely developed from the 1980s onward, still includes earlier phases with panels closer to their design limits.
Castaic: Older ranch‑style homes and early subdivisions built in the ’80s or ’90s often retain service panels sized for less demand.
Westridge: Predominantly mid‑ to late‑20th‑century homes with varying electrical service capacity.
Safety Risks
Overloaded or deteriorating panels can lead to overheating, arcing, and even house fires. Breakers that no longer trip or panels that buzz, smoke, or glow warn of impending electrical hazard.
Capacity for Modern Electrical Demands
Upgrading to a 200 A or 400 A panel supports EV chargers, high‑efficiency HVAC, solar inverters, and future expansion. Without this capacity, homeowners risk nuisance breaker trips or unsafe temporary wiring.
Code Compliance and Insurance Requirements
Local laws require proper permits and licensed installation. Insurance companies may deny coverage or refuse renewal unless panels meet modern standards
Resale and Peace of Mind
A code‑compliant, modern panel adds value to your home and reassures potential buyers or appraisers.
Professional, licensed (C‑10), bonded, and insured
Experienced in obtaining all necessary City and County permits, coordinating with Southern California Edison, and ensuring compliance with California Electrical Code and local amendments
Skilled at evaluating your current panel capacity, wiring condition, and future usage needs—and delivering cost‑effective upgrade options to service your modern load.
Full inspection of existing panel and wiring
Load calculation to determine appropriate panel size
Permit handling and city/county coordination
Replacement of meter base and main service panel (as needed)
Installation of modern breakers, service grounding, and bonding
Upgrade to 200 A, 400 A, or service size required for planned loads
Optional future‑ready infrastructure for EV charging or solar integration
If your Santa Clarita home was built before the 1990s or you experience flickering lights, breaker trips, buzzing panels, or simply plan to add devices like EV chargers, call Nuance Electric. We’ll guide you through compliance, safety upgrades, and modern electrical service that grows with your lifestyle.
Nuance Electric – Licensed, bonded, and insured electricians serving the Santa Clarita Valley. Your trusted partner for safe, modern panel upgrades.
Get In Touch
Email: [email protected]
Address
Santa Clarita, CA
Assistance Hours
Mon – Sat 9:00am – 8:00pm
Sunday – CLOSED
Phone Number:
661-990-8288