Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers from a licensed C-10 electrician. If yours isn't here, call or text us — the estimate is free.
- How much does it cost to upgrade the electrical panel to 200 amps?
- It depends on the condition of your current service, the distance to the meter, whether PG&E has to change the service drop, and your city permit. That's why we quote on site and the estimate is free. A C-10 electrician checks the panel, runs the NEC load calculation, and gives you a firm price before we start — no surprises.
- How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
- Common signs: an old Zinsco or Federal Pacific panel, a 100-amp service, breakers that trip often, flickering lights, or plans to add an EV charger, solar, a battery or a heat pump. A C-10 electrician confirms it with an NEC load calculation, so you're not guessing and never sold something you don't need.
- How long will my power be out during a panel upgrade?
- Usually a few hours the same day: we shut off, swap the panel or service, and coordinate with PG&E to reconnect. We give you the estimated time before we start and plan it to disrupt you as little as possible.
- Are Zinsco or Federal Pacific panels dangerous?
- Yes. These panels are documented to sometimes fail to trip the breaker under an overload or fault, which is a fire risk. Replacement is widely recommended, and many insurers raise your premium or deny coverage if you have one. If you have one, it's worth having it checked soon.
- Do you install chargers for Teslas and other electric cars?
- Yes. We're a Tesla Certified Installer and ChargePoint, and we install every brand. Most of the time it needs a new 240V circuit, and sometimes a panel upgrade; we evaluate that on the visit and leave it permitted and to code.
- Do I need a panel upgrade to install an EV charger?
- Not always. A 200-amp panel (or a 100-amp one with free capacity and space) is often enough; the Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 240V circuit. On the visit we run a quick load calculation: if your service is tight, we show you exactly why and quote the upgrade. The estimate is free.
- Does PG&E charge me to upgrade my service or change the meter?
- For most residential service upgrades, PG&E doesn't charge you directly: if the service drop can't handle it, they replace it. You pay for the electrician's work and the city permit. There's usually only a PG&E cost if you move the service to a new spot or convert to underground; we clarify that on the visit.
- Do you pull the permits?
- Yes, always. At Astral, no job is done without a permit — no exceptions. Unpermitted work can cost you when you sell the house, it can affect your insurance, and an inspection that fails gets paid for twice. Astral pulls the permit with your city and coordinates the inspection.
- Do I need a city permit to install an EV charger, upgrade my panel, or for any other work?
- Yes. In California, installing an EV charger, upgrading your panel, adding circuits, or putting in solar and battery requires a city permit and inspection, and we pull it for you — it's part of the job. At Astral, no job is done without a permit, no exceptions; it protects your home, your insurance and its resale value, and leaves everything up to code (NEC) and signed off by the inspector. If someone offers to skip the permit to save money, be careful — it can cost you far more when you sell the house or file an insurance claim.
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Yes: C-10, CSLB #1114918, bonded and insured. You can verify any license for free on the CSLB website, and we recommend doing it with any contractor, not just with us.
- Check a license on the CSLB →
- Do you handle emergencies at night or on weekends?
- Yes, 24 hours, 7 days a week. It counts as an emergency if you smell burning, see sparks, have a breaker that won't reset, a hot panel, or a partial loss of power. If you see smoke or fire, call 911 first. While the electrician is on the way, turn off the breaker for the affected circuit and don't turn it back on. Call or text (650) 562-8594.
- What should I do if I smell burning, see sparks, or the panel is hot?
- Your safety first. If you see smoke or fire, or anyone is in danger, call 911. If it's safe, turn off the breaker for the affected circuit (or the main) and don't put water on anything electrical. Also report it to PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 so they can shut off the service if needed. Then call us at (650) 562-8594 — we're available 24/7 and we'll come evaluate and repair as soon as it's safe.
- Do I need a battery if I go solar now (NEM 3.0)?
- Under NEM 3.0, what you sell back to PG&E pays very little, so the real savings come from storing your own energy. That's why almost every new system today includes a battery: you store midday sun to use from 4–9pm when rates are highest, and it also backs you up during outages. We size it to your usage.
- How long will a Powerwall keep my house running in an outage?
- It depends on what you want to keep on. A battery like the Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh) typically covers the essential circuits — fridge, Wi-Fi, lights, a medical device — for 10 hours or more, and if you have solar it recharges during the day. We size it around your must-run loads.
- What size generator do I need?
- It depends on which circuits you want to keep running: the whole house or just the essentials. We size the generator (or battery) to your home's real load and your priorities, and install the automatic transfer switch, permitted and to code.
- Can my house handle an induction range or a heat pump?
- Often yes, but these are big loads that sometimes need a new 240V circuit or a panel upgrade. We confirm it with an NEC load calculation before you buy the equipment, so you avoid surprises. The estimate is free.
- What is an Electrical Score and how do I get one?
- It's a 0–100 rating of your home's electrical health and capacity — like a credit score for your wiring. You build it online from your home's details and a C-10 electrician reviews it; it tells you whether your panel can handle an EV, solar or induction, with no visit required.
- Create my Electrical Score →
- What rebates are there in California for EV, panel or heat pump?
- There are PG&E, state and federal programs that change often and depend on your address and income. During the assessment we check which ones apply to you and help with the paperwork, at no charge.
- See rebates in your area →
- Do you speak Spanish?
- Yes. The owner, Pablo Mendoza, is bilingual and explains the work in Spanish, including what the code requires and why. He's an electrician and a lawyer, and wrote «Por qué el código dice lo que dice», the NEC explained in Spanish.
- See the book →
- What cities do you serve?
- Mountain House, Tracy, Lathrop, Manteca, Stockton and Livermore. For large jobs we can evaluate outside that area; just ask.
- Why does the breaker keep tripping over and over?
- It can be an overload, a short, a ground fault, or a worn-out breaker. A breaker that trips is doing its job: it's protecting you. The mistake is resetting it again and again without finding out why; that's when it's worth having an electrician check it.
- Do you work on commercial buildings or only homes?
- Both. We do residential and commercial: tenant improvements, Title 24 lighting and controls, and retail work. Call us and we'll take a look.
Still have a question?
A licensed C-10 electrician answers and gives you a free estimate, no obligation.