By Kyle L., Service expert Allentown office
Job at a glance
- Location
- Allentown, PA
- Service
- Panel Replacement
- When
- October 2026
- Service expert
- Kyle L.
- Called about
- outlets that had stopped working
- Service size
- 200 amp
- Panel brand
- Siemens
- Visits
- 1
- Options offered
- 6
- Inspection
- Passed
What this type of job typically costs
$8,925 to $14,875
Panel replacement, everything on the job
From 259 jobs we completed in the last 18 months.
The middle half of what our clients paid for this type of job across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, everything on the job before discounts, refreshed every month. A licensed service expert sees your home and gives a written price before any work starts.
Range updated October 29, 2026.
About this service →
A homeowner in Allentown, Pennsylvania, called about outlets that had stopped working. The service expert arrived to diagnose the issue and discovered serious problems inside the electrical panel.
The client's problem
The client noticed that several outlets in the home were no longer functioning and wanted to find out why.
What our service expert found
The service expert traced the problem to a failed breaker with a burned wire connection. Upon inspecting the panel, they found discoloration indicating overheating, scorched and melted connections, rust and corrosion inside the equipment, and signs of water intrusion. The home also had aluminum branch wiring with some connections made using connectors not rated for aluminum conductors. These conditions posed safety risks and indicated the panel needed replacement to restore reliable power and meet current code requirements.
Options we presented
The service expert presented several options ranging from targeted repairs to a full panel replacement with additional safety upgrades.
Ideal
Must
Should (the client chose this one)
Re device with AFCI breakers
Re-device
Re-device with smoke detectors
The solution
The client chose the recommended panel replacement package. The team installed a new Siemens 200 amp main breaker panel with 40 spaces for future expansion, along with a new 200 amp outdoor disconnect enclosure. They upgraded the grounding system to meet current code requirements and added a whole home surge protective device at the service entrance. After completing the panel work, the service expert inspected the affected circuit to confirm proper operation.
Work performed
Installed new 200 amp outdoor breaker enclosure and disconnect
Installed new Siemens 40 space 200 amp main breaker panel
Upgraded grounding system to meet current code requirements
Installed whole home surge protective device at service entrance
Replaced GFCI outlets as part of panel replacement
Inspected affected circuit after power restoration
What we installed
- Nipple 1 and 2" Rigid Conduit Offset
- RACO 192, 1900 Box 1-1 and 2D - 1 and 2-3 and 4KO Raised Grnd
- RACO 808C, 1900 GFCI Cover
- Eaton TRGF15W 15 Amp 125 VAC GFCI Tamper-Resistant White Outlet
- Siemens BR 15 Amp Single Pole Breaker× 12
- Siemens BR Q120 20 Amp Single Pole Breaker× 12
- Siemens BR 20 Amp 2 Pole Breaker
- Siemens BR 30 Amp 2 Pole Breaker
- Siemens BR 50 Amp 6 AWG 2 Pole Breaker
- Siemens ec3gb212 21-Position Ground Bar Kit
- Siemens Type PN 40 Space 200 Amp Main Breaker Panel
- Acorn Clamp 5 and 8 Acorn Direct Burial Bronze Ground Rod Clamp× 2
Why pricing varies
No two homes are wired the same. On this job, the price came down to:
- Service size and whether the main breaker rating changes
- Condition of the existing enclosure, bus bars and breakers
- Grounding and bonding that must be brought up to current code at the same time
- Service entrance conductors and the meter can, when they are part of the scope
- Utility coordination and permit requirements in the jurisdiction
- Surge, AFCI and GFCI protection added during the changeout
- Panel brand and breaker selection
- Accessibility of the panel location and any drywall or masonry work around it
- Code corrections found once the deadfront is off
A service expert prices your job after seeing it, and you approve the price before any work starts.
Why it matters in Allentown
Older homes in Allentown and throughout Lehigh County sometimes have panels that have experienced water exposure or overheating over the years. Replacing a compromised panel eliminates fire hazards from damaged connections and provides the capacity and protection modern households need. A proper grounding system and surge protection add layers of safety for both the electrical system and connected appliances.
Common questions
Why would water damage in an electrical panel cause outlets to stop working?
Water inside a panel causes corrosion on connections and can damage breakers over time. When a breaker fails or a connection burns out due to corrosion, the circuits it controls lose power, which is why outlets stop working.
What are the signs that an electrical panel needs to be replaced?
Warning signs include discoloration or burn marks on the panel, rust and corrosion inside the enclosure, breakers that trip frequently or fail completely, and any evidence of overheating such as melted plastic or scorched wires. A qualified electrician can assess whether repairs or replacement is the better path.
Why is a grounding system upgrade often recommended with a new panel?
Grounding provides a safe path for electrical faults to travel to the earth rather than through people or equipment. Older grounding systems may not meet current standards, so upgrading during a panel replacement ensures the entire system works together safely.
What does a whole home surge protector do that power strips do not?
A whole home surge protector installed at the service entrance catches large surges from the utility line before they enter your home. Power strips only protect devices plugged directly into them and cannot handle the larger surges that come through the main electrical service.
The service expert on this job
Kyle L.
Service expert
Kyle is a service expert with Thomas Edison Electric. He has completed more than 1,100 jobs for clients in Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh counties. His most common calls are troubleshooting, outlets and switches, lighting and ceiling fans and panel upgrades.
More about Kyle →Reviewed by a licensed Thomas Edison Electric service expert on November 6, 2026.
Where this job was
Allentown, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh. Electrical service in Allentown
Related
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- More jobs by Kyle L.
- Our electrical services
- Contact Thomas Edison Electric
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