Your Panel Needs to Match What Your Home Uses

Electrical panel upgrades for older and undersized systems in Johnston, Iowa

Your home in Johnston may have an electrical panel that was installed decades ago when homes used less power. Today, you run central air conditioning, electric vehicle chargers, smart appliances, and home offices that draw far more electricity than older panels were designed to handle. When breakers trip frequently, lights dim when appliances start, or you cannot add new circuits, your panel is undersized and needs to be upgraded.

Jenson Electric, LLC. upgrades outdated and undersized electrical panels to increase capacity and improve safety. The new panel meets current Iowa electrical code standards and provides enough circuits to handle modern appliances, EV chargers, and future electrical needs. The work includes removing the old panel, installing the new one, reconnecting all existing circuits, and testing the system to confirm everything operates correctly. Panel upgrades are essential for older Johnston homes and for any home adding high-draw systems like generators or Level 2 EV chargers.

If your Johnston home needs a panel upgrade, contact Jenson Electric, LLC. to schedule an evaluation and discuss your current and future electrical needs.

What Changes After Your Panel Is Upgraded

When you schedule a panel upgrade in Johnston, the electrician shuts off power to your home and removes the old breaker box. The new panel is mounted in the same location or relocated if needed, and all existing circuits are reconnected to new breakers. If additional circuits are required, those are added during the same visit. The service entrance and grounding system are inspected and updated to meet code requirements.

After the upgrade is complete, you notice that breakers no longer trip when you run multiple appliances at once. Lights stay steady when the air conditioner cycles on. Your EV charger operates at full capacity without overloading the system. The panel has enough open slots to add new circuits for future upgrades, and the system is safer because outdated breakers and wiring connections have been replaced with modern, code-compliant components.

The upgrade includes permit coordination, final inspection scheduling, and a walkthrough to explain the new panel layout. Panel upgrades are required for older Johnston homes and for any home adding systems that increase electrical load. Jenson Electric, LLC. sizes panels based on current usage and planned additions to avoid needing another upgrade in the future. The section below addresses questions homeowners typically ask before scheduling a panel upgrade.

Homeowners Usually Want to Know These Things First

Homeowners in Johnston often ask similar questions about panel upgrades before scheduling the work. The answers below cover what to expect during and after the installation.

How do I know if my electrical panel is undersized?
Signs include breakers that trip frequently, lights that dim when appliances start, and a panel with no open slots for new circuits. If your home is more than thirty years old, the panel is likely undersized for modern electrical use.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most panel upgrades in Johnston take four to six hours depending on the size of the home and whether new circuits are added. Power is shut off during the work, and the system is tested before the panel is closed.
Why do some homes need a service entrance upgrade along with the panel?
The service entrance is the cable that brings power from the utility pole to your home. If your current service is rated for less than 200 amps, it must be upgraded to support a larger panel and higher electrical load.
What happens to my existing circuits during a panel upgrade?
All existing circuits are disconnected from the old panel and reconnected to new breakers in the upgraded panel. The electrician labels each circuit and confirms that every outlet, light, and appliance works correctly before finishing the job.
When should I upgrade my panel before adding an EV charger?
If your panel does not have an open slot for a new circuit or if your total electrical load is close to the panel's capacity, you should upgrade the panel before installing the EV charger. Skipping this step can overload the system and create safety hazards.

Jenson Electric, LLC. upgrades electrical panels for homeowners throughout Johnston and Polk County who need more capacity, improved safety, or code-compliant systems. If your home needs a panel upgrade, get in touch to schedule an evaluation and discuss the scope of work.