How is the power outage window scheduled, and who controls it?

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) owns the meter side and controls both the disconnect and re-energize schedule. After the permit is issued, we request a PSE disconnect appointment. PSE assigns the time based on their dispatch schedule. Morning disconnects with afternoon re-energize are typical, but the exact re-energize window is set by PSE, not by the contractor.

Do I need 200A or 400A service?

The answer comes from a load calculation per NEC 2023 Article 220, not a visual inspection. Most single-family homes adding one EV charger and a heat pump are well served by 200A. Homes adding multiple EVs, whole-home electrification, or an ADU should have 400A evaluated. We provide the calculation before recommending a service size.

What is the difference between overhead (mast) and underground (lateral) service?

Overhead service delivers power via conductors from a pole across a weatherhead and down a conduit mast to the meter base. Underground service delivers power through conduit buried to minimum depth. Both require the same upstream work during a service upgrade. Underground projects introduce trenching scope if the conduit path or meter base location must change.

Do you pull permits for service upgrade work?

Yes. Every service upgrade requires an electrical permit. For most Eastside cities the permit is issued by Washington State L&I; for Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland it is issued by the city. All work is performed to NEC 2023 as adopted under WAC 296-46B. Unpermitted service work voids insurance coverage for related losses and creates disclosure liability at resale.

Is a final inspection required after a service upgrade?

Yes. The jurisdiction's inspector — L&I or the city building department — must inspect and approve the completed work before PSE re-energizes the service. The inspection verifies conductor sizing, meter base, grounding electrode system, bonding, clearances, and panel labeling against NEC 2023 and WAC 296-46B. The closed permit with final sign-off is the permanent record.

Will a service upgrade support an EV charger and a heat pump on the same service?

In most cases yes — provided the upgrade is correctly sized using a load calculation per NEC 2023 Article 220. A 200A service upgrade is the standard baseline for adding Level 2 EV charging and a heat pump to a home that currently has 100A service. Homes with higher combined loads should have 400A evaluated.

How long will the power be out during the upgrade?

For a typical overhead service upgrade completed in a single day, the outage runs from PSE's morning disconnect through PSE's afternoon re-energize — generally several hours. The exact duration depends on PSE's re-energize schedule. Underground projects requiring a new lateral connection may extend to two days.

Does PSE charge a separate fee for the disconnect and re-energize?

PSE's standard residential disconnect and re-energize in connection with a permitted electrical upgrade is typically handled as part of the utility's normal service process. Any applicable PSE fees are separate from Horizon Electric NW's contract scope. We recommend confirming directly with PSE during scheduling, as fee structures can change.

Is the completed upgrade documented in a way that helps at resale, refinance, or with insurance?

Yes. A service upgrade completed under permit and signed off by a final inspection creates a permanent record in the jurisdiction's permit database. At resale, the buyer's inspector and lender can verify the upgrade. Insurance carriers asking about service capacity receive a concrete answer, and for refinances the closed permit record is reliable documentation for an appraiser or lender.

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Serving Woodinville & the Eastside

Electrical Service Upgrades

An electrical service upgrade increases the capacity coming into your home — meter base, service-entrance conductors, and panel — so it can carry modern loads like EV chargers and heat pumps. Horizon Electric NW handles the load calculation, permit, Puget Sound Energy coordination, and inspection across Woodinville and the Eastside.

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Licensed: HORIZE*751JHEstablished 2025Serving Woodinville & the EastsideMon–Fri 9am–5pm

Panel Upgrade vs. Full Service Upgrade: Understanding the Difference

Homeowners and contractors often use "panel upgrade" and "service upgrade" interchangeably, but these are meaningfully different scopes of work. A panel upgrade replaces or expands only the indoor breaker box — the load center on your basement or garage wall. If your existing meter base, service-entrance conductors, and mast or lateral are in good condition and sized correctly, a panel upgrade alone may be sufficient. A full service upgrade, by contrast, addresses everything from the utility connection inward: the meter base, service-entrance (SE) conductors, the mast (overhead) or lateral conduit (underground), and the main disconnect or main breaker panel. This is the scope required when the utility-side infrastructure is undersized, aged, or damaged — not just the breaker box. The practical distinction matters because the two scopes carry different permit requirements, involve different coordination with Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and differ substantially in the amount of work performed on the day of the upgrade. Many older homes that appear to need only a panel swap actually need the full service replaced once a licensed electrician inspects the meter base and SE conductors. Misidentifying the scope early leads to re-permitting, additional utility coordination, and unexpected downtime. Horizon Electric NW assesses both the indoor panel and the full upstream service path before quoting any upgrade project.

When a Home Needs a Full Service Upgrade

Most homes built before 1980 were wired with 100-ampere service — adequate for the electrical loads common at the time. A 100A service panel fed by undersized SE conductors cannot safely carry the simultaneous demand of modern appliances without chronic nuisance tripping, overheating, or code violations that expose the homeowner to insurance and resale risk. Specific triggers that indicate a full service upgrade rather than a panel swap: EV charging — a Level 2 charger on a 240V/48A dedicated circuit alone consumes nearly half of a 100A service when combined with normal household load, so a 200A or 400A service is the correct baseline before EV charging is installed. Heat pump or heat pump water heater — cold-climate heat pumps and heat pump water heaters draw sustained high-amperage loads that typically push a 100A service past capacity. Induction range conversion — a 40 to 50A dedicated circuit combined with existing HVAC and EV load frequently forces a 200A-to-400A evaluation. Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels — beyond ampacity, panels with known breaker-failure histories warrant replacement as part of a service upgrade. Ungrounded or aluminum branch wiring — often co-present with undersized service in pre-1980 homes; a service upgrade is the logical time to evaluate the full system. The right decision starts with a load calculation, not a visual inspection of the panel label.

Load Calculation: The Engineering Basis for Your Upgrade

Every service upgrade Horizon Electric NW proposes is backed by a documented load calculation under NEC 2023 Article 220. This is the code-prescribed method for determining the minimum service size that will safely carry a home's actual and anticipated demand. NEC 2023 Article 220 specifies how to calculate general lighting and receptacle loads, small-appliance branch circuits, laundry circuits, fixed appliances, HVAC (using the larger of heating or cooling, with specific rules for heat pumps), electric vehicle supply equipment, and optional large-appliance loads. The standard method and the optional method (Article 220 Part IV) produce the minimum ampacity figure; service size is selected to meet or exceed that figure at a standard rating (100A, 200A, 400A). For most single-family homes on the Seattle Eastside, the calculation produces one of three outcomes. 100A is sufficient — older small home, gas HVAC, no EV charger, no heat pump; relatively rare on modern consultation calls. 200A is required or strongly advisable — the standard upgrade for homes adding an EV charger, heat pump, or replacing a failed 100A panel. 400A should be evaluated — homes adding multiple EVs, whole-home electrification (heat pump plus heat pump water heater plus induction), or accessory dwelling units. A load calculation is not a worst-case guess. It is a repeatable engineering computation that justifies scope to the homeowner, the inspector, and the insurer, and it is documented under WAC 296-46B, Washington's adoption and amendment of the NEC.

Overhead vs. Underground Service: What Determines Your Configuration

Washington homes are served by one of two utility delivery configurations, and the distinction drives a significant portion of the scope and cost factors in a service upgrade. Overhead (mast) service runs from the utility pole across a weatherhead and down a conduit mast on the exterior of the structure to the meter base. The mast must meet minimum height requirements above grade and above the roof, and the weatherhead must clear the utility's conductors. When a service upgrade requires relocating the meter base — for example, to add a main disconnect, to meet current clearance codes, or to accommodate a new panel location — the mast and weatherhead are repositioned as part of the work. Overhead service upgrades are generally completed in a single day. Underground (lateral) service brings conductors from a pad-mount transformer or junction box through conduit buried to minimum depth and up through a below-grade entry at the meter base. The conduit and conductors from the property line to the meter are typically the homeowner's responsibility to maintain; PSE owns from the transformer to the property boundary. Underground service upgrades are generally cleaner aesthetically but introduce trenching scope if the existing conduit, entry point, or meter base location must change. Conduit length and trench depth are two of the primary cost factors in underground service projects. Horizon Electric NW evaluates both configurations during the initial site assessment and identifies whether the existing entry point, meter base, and conduit support an upgrade in place or require relocation.

What the Work Includes: Every Component of a Service Upgrade

A full service upgrade addresses the complete path from the utility attachment point to the first overcurrent device inside the structure. All work is performed to NEC 2023 and WAC 296-46B, which is Washington State's electrical installation rules adopted under the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) authority. Meter base: the meter socket is replaced with a code-compliant unit rated for the new service ampacity. In many Eastside jurisdictions this includes a meter-main (a combined meter socket and main disconnect) that allows the homeowner to shut off power without contacting PSE. Service-entrance conductors: the conductors from the weatherhead or underground entry to the main disconnect must be sized for the new service rating. Undersized SE conductors are the most common reason a panel upgrade alone is insufficient. Mast or lateral conduit: overhead — the conduit mast, weatherhead, and drip loops are inspected and replaced or repositioned as needed. Underground — the service conduit from the meter base entry is confirmed to be continuous, correctly sized, and properly sealed. Main disconnect and panel: the load center is replaced or upgraded to accommodate the new service size and the circuit count required for current and anticipated loads. Grounding electrode system (GES): per NEC 2023 and WAC 296-46B, the GES is brought to current code — ground rods driven to required depth, proper conductor sizing, and inspection-ready connections at all electrode bonding points. Bonding: water piping, gas piping, and structural steel present in the structure are bonded to the GES per NEC 2023 requirements. This is inspection-required work, not optional.

PSE Coordination and the Scheduling Reality

Puget Sound Energy owns and controls the utility-side conductors up to and including the meter. PSE must physically disconnect service before any work on the meter base or service entrance begins, and PSE must re-energize service after inspection sign-off before power is restored. This makes PSE coordination the critical-path variable in every service upgrade project. Horizon Electric NW initiates the PSE disconnect request after the permit is issued and the work date is confirmed. PSE schedules their crew based on their current workload, and the homeowner should plan for same-day service in most standard residential cases — but the PSE re-energize window is set by PSE's dispatch, not by the electrical contractor. Morning disconnects with afternoon re-energize are the typical pattern; the actual re-energize time is not guaranteed to the minute. For projects involving a new underground lateral, PSE may require a separate inspection of their side of the service connection before they will re-energize. In those cases, the upgrade may span two days: electrical work day one, PSE connection and re-energize day two. Horizon Electric NW communicates the PSE scheduling timeline to homeowners at the time of permit submission so the planned outage window is understood well in advance. Service upgrades are planned, scheduled work. Homeowners benefit from coordinating around the outage window, particularly if they have medical equipment, security systems, or refrigerated medications that require uninterrupted power.

Permits, Inspections, and the Documentation Value at Resale

Every electrical service upgrade in Washington State requires an electrical permit and a final inspection by a qualified inspector. Performing service upgrade work without a permit is a code violation, voids homeowner's insurance coverage for related losses, and creates serious disclosure liability at the time of sale. Permit authority by jurisdiction: for most Eastside locations — including Woodinville, Bothell, Kenmore, and unincorporated King County — the electrical permit is issued by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland are self-permitting jurisdictions that issue electrical permits through their own building departments and use city inspectors rather than L&I inspectors. Horizon Electric NW operates under both L&I and self-permit city authority and handles permit application as part of every project. Inspection: the inspector verifies that the work meets NEC 2023 as adopted by Washington under WAC 296-46B — service rating, conductor sizing, grounding electrode system, bonding, clearances, and labeling. Inspection is the independent verification step that closes the permit and creates the official record. Documentation value: a closed permit with final inspection creates a permanent record in the jurisdiction's permit database. At resale, the buyer's inspector will note the service size and condition; a permitted and inspected upgrade substantially simplifies due diligence. Insurance carriers increasingly ask about panel age and service capacity; a documented upgrade to 200A or 400A under current code is a concrete, verifiable answer. Lenders and appraisers on refinances similarly benefit from closed permit records demonstrating code-compliant electrical infrastructure.

How a service upgrade goes

1
Site assessment and load calculation
A Horizon Electric NW electrician inspects the existing meter base, service-entrance conductors, mast or lateral entry, and panel, and performs a documented load calculation per NEC 2023 Article 220 that accounts for current loads and any planned additions — EV charger, heat pump, heat pump water heater, induction range, ADU. The calculation determines whether 200A or 400A service is the correct target.
2
Scope definition and proposal
Based on the assessment, we define the full scope: panel-only replacement vs. full service upgrade; overhead (mast) vs. underground (lateral); whether the meter base location changes; what grounding electrode work is required. We document the configuration, SE conductor length, and any relocation factors — the primary drivers of project scope — and present a written proposal.
3
Permit application
We apply for the electrical permit through the correct authority for your city — L&I for most Eastside jurisdictions, or the city building department for Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland. We include the load calculation and scope in the application. Work does not begin until the permit is issued.
4
PSE disconnect scheduling
After the permit is issued, we contact Puget Sound Energy to schedule the utility disconnect. PSE owns the meter side and controls the disconnect/re-energize schedule. We coordinate the appointment with the work date and notify you of the planned outage window. For new underground laterals, we confirm whether PSE requires a separate connection inspection before re-energize.
5
Upgrade day
After PSE has disconnected utility power, we replace the meter base, service-entrance conductors, and mast or lateral entry as required by scope; install or replace the main disconnect and panel; bring the grounding electrode system to current NEC 2023 and WAC 296-46B requirements; and complete all required bonding. Work is performed by licensed electricians under the issued permit.
6
Inspection
We schedule the final inspection with L&I or the self-permitting city inspector. The inspector reviews the meter base, SE conductors, panel labeling, grounding electrode system, bonding, conductor sizing, and clearances against NEC 2023 as adopted under WAC 296-46B. Inspection must be passed before PSE re-energizes.
7
PSE re-energize and walkthrough
After sign-off, PSE re-energizes the service. We confirm all circuits are functional, the main breaker operates correctly, and the grounding system reads correctly. We walk you through the completed work — meter base location, main disconnect operation, panel directory — and provide the permit and inspection documentation for your records.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a panel upgrade and a full service upgrade?: A panel upgrade replaces only the indoor breaker box. A full service upgrade replaces everything from the utility connection inward — meter base, service-entrance conductors, mast (overhead) or lateral conduit (underground), and the main disconnect or panel. Many older homes that appear to need only a panel swap actually require the full service once an electrician inspects the upstream components.
How is the power outage window scheduled, and who controls it?: Puget Sound Energy (PSE) owns the meter side and controls both the disconnect and re-energize schedule. After the permit is issued, we request a PSE disconnect appointment. PSE assigns the time based on their dispatch schedule. Morning disconnects with afternoon re-energize are typical, but the exact re-energize window is set by PSE, not by the contractor.
Do I need 200A or 400A service?: The answer comes from a load calculation per NEC 2023 Article 220, not a visual inspection. Most single-family homes adding one EV charger and a heat pump are well served by 200A. Homes adding multiple EVs, whole-home electrification, or an ADU should have 400A evaluated. We provide the calculation before recommending a service size.
What is the difference between overhead (mast) and underground (lateral) service?: Overhead service delivers power via conductors from a pole across a weatherhead and down a conduit mast to the meter base. Underground service delivers power through conduit buried to minimum depth. Both require the same upstream work during a service upgrade. Underground projects introduce trenching scope if the conduit path or meter base location must change.
Do you pull permits for service upgrade work?: Yes. Every service upgrade requires an electrical permit. For most Eastside cities the permit is issued by Washington State L&I; for Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland it is issued by the city. All work is performed to NEC 2023 as adopted under WAC 296-46B. Unpermitted service work voids insurance coverage for related losses and creates disclosure liability at resale.
Is a final inspection required after a service upgrade?: Yes. The jurisdiction's inspector — L&I or the city building department — must inspect and approve the completed work before PSE re-energizes the service. The inspection verifies conductor sizing, meter base, grounding electrode system, bonding, clearances, and panel labeling against NEC 2023 and WAC 296-46B. The closed permit with final sign-off is the permanent record.
Will a service upgrade support an EV charger and a heat pump on the same service?: In most cases yes — provided the upgrade is correctly sized using a load calculation per NEC 2023 Article 220. A 200A service upgrade is the standard baseline for adding Level 2 EV charging and a heat pump to a home that currently has 100A service. Homes with higher combined loads should have 400A evaluated.
How long will the power be out during the upgrade?: For a typical overhead service upgrade completed in a single day, the outage runs from PSE's morning disconnect through PSE's afternoon re-energize — generally several hours. The exact duration depends on PSE's re-energize schedule. Underground projects requiring a new lateral connection may extend to two days.
Does PSE charge a separate fee for the disconnect and re-energize?: PSE's standard residential disconnect and re-energize in connection with a permitted electrical upgrade is typically handled as part of the utility's normal service process. Any applicable PSE fees are separate from Horizon Electric NW's contract scope. We recommend confirming directly with PSE during scheduling, as fee structures can change.
Is the completed upgrade documented in a way that helps at resale, refinance, or with insurance?: Yes. A service upgrade completed under permit and signed off by a final inspection creates a permanent record in the jurisdiction's permit database. At resale, the buyer's inspector and lender can verify the upgrade. Insurance carriers asking about service capacity receive a concrete answer, and for refinances the closed permit record is reliable documentation for an appraiser or lender.

Service Upgrades across the Eastside

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By Kenny Mueller, Owner & Licensed Electrical Contractor, Horizon Electric NW (HORIZE*751JH).