Panel replacement involves working at or near service-entrance conductors that remain LIVE even with your main breaker off. Only the utility can de-energize these (pulling the meter or disconnecting at the transformer). Do you understand that this is not a circuits-off-and-go job?

Even with the main breaker off, the lugs feeding the main breaker, the meter pan, and the service-entrance conductors are at full line voltage (typically 120/240V at 100-200A available fault current). Working hot here causes severe burns, arc-flash injury, and death.

What is driving the panel replacement?

Is this just a panel swap (same service size), or a full service upgrade (e.g., 100A to 200A — new mast, meter, SE conductors, possibly new grounding)?

Here is what a licensed electrician handles on a panel replacement that you should NOT attempt as DIY. Confirm you understand each: (1) Utility coordination to pull the meter / de-energize the service. (2) Permit and inspection scheduling. (3) Load calculation per NEC Article 220. (4) Grounding electrode system — water pipe bond + ground rods + Ufer if present + correct conductor sizing (NEC 250). (5) Neutral-to-ground bonding ONLY at the service disconnect, not at subpanels. (6) AFCI/GFCI requirements for new branch circuits in a new panel (recent NEC cycles require AFCI/GFCI on many circuits). (7) SE cable terminations, anti-oxidant on aluminum SE, torque specs on lugs. Do you still believe this is appropriate as a DIY project?

There is no DIY-proceed path in this workflow. The question is whether you understand why.

electrical troubleshooting

Panel replacement

Common symptoms: replace electrical panel; service upgrade; 100 amp to 200 amp; fpe panel replacement; zinsco panel replacement; main breaker panel swap

Stop and call a pro if:

service-entrance conductors and meter pan stay LIVE even with main breaker off — utility disconnect required
arc-flash and arc-blast risk
grounding electrode and neutral-to-ground bonding errors create shock hazards on every outlet in the home
homeowner panel replacement is illegal in most US jurisdictions without a licensed electrician

Step-by-step diagnostic flow

Step 1
Panel replacement involves working at or near service-entrance conductors that remain LIVE even with your main breaker off. Only the utility can de-energize these (pulling the meter or disconnecting at the transformer). Do you understand that this is not a circuits-off-and-go job?
Even with the main breaker off, the lugs feeding the main breaker, the meter pan, and the service-entrance conductors are at full line voltage (typically 120/240V at 100-200A available fault current). Working hot here causes severe burns, arc-flash injury, and death.
Step 2
What is driving the panel replacement?
Step 3
Is this just a panel swap (same service size), or a full service upgrade (e.g., 100A to 200A — new mast, meter, SE conductors, possibly new grounding)?
Step 4
Here is what a licensed electrician handles on a panel replacement that you should NOT attempt as DIY. Confirm you understand each: (1) Utility coordination to pull the meter / de-energize the service. (2) Permit and inspection scheduling. (3) Load calculation per NEC Article 220. (4) Grounding electrode system — water pipe bond + ground rods + Ufer if present + correct conductor sizing (NEC 250). (5) Neutral-to-ground bonding ONLY at the service disconnect, not at subpanels. (6) AFCI/GFCI requirements for new branch circuits in a new panel (recent NEC cycles require AFCI/GFCI on many circuits). (7) SE cable terminations, anti-oxidant on aluminum SE, torque specs on lugs. Do you still believe this is appropriate as a DIY project?
There is no DIY-proceed path in this workflow. The question is whether you understand why.

Possible outcomes

Call a licensed electrician — panel replacement is a pro job

high confidence

Panel replacement (and any service work) involves live service-entrance conductors that cannot be de-energized by the homeowner, requires utility coordination, permit, inspection, load calculation, grounding-electrode work, and correct neutral/ground bonding. Errors here electrify the entire house chassis or create undetected fault paths. Virtually every US jurisdiction requires a licensed electrician for this work.

Safe next steps

Get 3 bids from licensed, insured electricians (verify license number with your state board)
Confirm the bid includes: permit, utility coordination, inspection, load calculation, grounding-electrode upgrade if needed, AFCI/GFCI breakers where required, and removal of the old panel
Ask whether the panel brand is appropriate for your area (avoid panels with limited local breaker availability)
If you have FPE Stab-Lok or Zinsco — prioritize this; both have documented failure-to-trip histories
Ask the electrician about combining the panel swap with any planned EV charger / heat pump / addition work to save on a second visit

What to document for a pro

Photos of existing panel (interior and exterior)
Photos of meter pan and service mast
Current service size (amperage stamped on main breaker)
Square footage and any planned future loads (EV, heat pump, ADU, hot tub, etc.) — feeds load calc
Year of home and any past electrical work history
Whether the panel is indoor or outdoor; flush or surface mount

Service-entrance conductors stay live with main off. Permit and licensed electrician required by AHJ. Utility must de-energize the service. Grounding-electrode and neutral-bond errors create whole-house hazards

Still — call a licensed electrician. There is no DIY proceed path.

high confidence

Even with strong electrical skill, panel replacement requires utility coordination (homeowners cannot pull their own meter in most jurisdictions), a permit, and an inspection signed off by a licensed electrician in the vast majority of US AHJs. Insurance will likely deny claims for fires or injuries traced to unpermitted, unlicensed panel work. Resale title issues are also common.

Safe next steps

Contact your local AHJ (building department) and ask specifically: can a homeowner perform a panel replacement on an owner-occupied residence with a permit and inspection? In a small number of jurisdictions this is allowed; in most it is not.
If allowed and you proceed regardless: pull the permit yourself, schedule the utility disconnect, study NEC Articles 220 (load calc), 230 (services), 250 (grounding and bonding), and 408 (panels) before starting
Otherwise: get 3 bids from licensed electricians

Most US AHJs prohibit homeowner panel work. Insurance and resale exposure. Live service-entrance conductors

Diagnostic guidance only. If unsure, stop and call a licensed professional — gas, electrical, and refrigerant work is hazardous to untrained users.

Pro launch updates

Get notified when Pro launches, plus a monthly code-change digest. Email only — no account required.