How to Remove an Electrical Panel

Most everyone knows how to check the breakers in their electrical panel if one trips and makes some lights go off. However, if you're remodeling your home and adding more circuits than your panel can handle, you'll need to remove the old electrical panel and replace it with a new one. It can be a simple task if you have the right tools and know-how.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Permit
• Volt meter
• Screwdrivers
• Licensed electrician on call

1. Contact your power provider at least a few weeks in advance and advise them that you are removing an electrical panel. Ask what procedures you must follow.

2. Obtain the required permits from the power company or city and pay any fees. Post the permit in plain view at your electrical meter.

3. Schedule a time for the local power company to come to your home, turn off the electricity and remove the meter. As a rule, the power company removes the meter when they turn off the electricity. When you've replaced the electrical panel, they'll come back for inspection, reinstall your meter and turn the power back on.

4. Arrange for a licensed electrician to remove your panel if you have doubts about your abilities or if it's a requirement of your city or power company.

5. Check the incoming main feed wires with a volt meter to ensure that the electricity is off before you proceed with your project. It's possible that there's still current running through the lines.

6. Remove the panel front to expose breakers and circuit wires. Flip all breakers to the "off" position. Locate the screw at breaker base and unscrew with a flat head screwdriver until circuit wire releases from breaker.

7. Continue to perform the same procedure for each breaker in the panel box until all circuit wires are free from the breakers.

8. Disconnect the lugs holding the main feed wires. Remove the screws holding the door to the panel to the wall. Pull electrical panel free from wall and discard.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a diagram of your circuitry before removing your panel so you'll know where the wires feed. It will make is easier when you install your new electrical panel.
• Don't consider doing this project yourself if you don't have electrical experience, proper tools or if the city requires a licensed electrician to do the job.