200-Amp Service Upgrade — East Van Duplex
Full service upgrade from a 1970s 100-amp panel to modern 200-amp on a duplex property — new mast, meter base, and grounding, all completed in one day with BC Hydro coordination.
The original 100-amp panel had been repeatedly tripping under the load of two ductless heat pumps and a shared dryer circuit between the upper and lower suites. Aluminum branch wiring on 12 circuits added complexity.
Coordinated a same-day BC Hydro disconnect and re-connect, replaced the service mast + meter base, installed a new 200A Siemens panel with 40 breaker positions, pigtailed all aluminum branch circuits with COPALUM connectors, and separated the two suites onto dedicated sub-feeds.
Full permit and inspector sign-off achieved on install day. Owner now has capacity for two future EV chargers (one per suite) and a hot tub without further work. Zero tripping events reported in the 6 months since.
Progress photos.
“They handled the BC Hydro side, the aluminum wiring, and the permit start-to-finish. Both suites had power back the same evening. I've hired plenty of electricians over the years — these guys were the most organized.”
