Voted Best Houma Electrician by Homeowners in Terrebonne Parish, LA.

Voted Best Houma, LA Electrician Helping Homeowners with Circuit Breaker Panel Upgrades in Bayou Cane

As electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, many homeowners are discovering that their existing electrical systems are no longer sufficient to meet modern power demands. While installing an EV charger at home offers unmatched convenience, it also places a significant load on a home’s electrical infrastructure. Without adequate amperage, attempting to install an EV charger can be unsafe and may lead to system overloads, breaker trips, or serious electrical hazards.

In this Bayou Cane project, a homeowner wanted to install an EV charger that required 60 amps of power. However, their home was equipped with an outdated 100-amp circuit breaker panel that simply could not support the additional load. To ensure safety, reliability, and code compliance, MK Electric Man, voted Best Electrician in Houma, LA. performed a full electrical service upgrade. This included increasing the home’s service capacity, installing new service equipment, and preparing the system for safe EV chargers, Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

Why the Existing Electrical System Was Not Enough

Many older homes were designed long before electric vehicles, smart appliances, and high-demand HVAC systems became common. A 100-amp electrical service was once sufficient for basic household needs, but modern homes often require far more power.

In this case, the EV charger alone demanded 60 amps of continuous power. When combined with existing loads such as air conditioning, kitchen appliances, and lighting, the system simply did not have enough capacity.

Some common issues caused by insufficient amperage include:

✓Frequent breaker trips

✓ Overloaded circuits

✓ Voltage drops

✓ Overheating wires

✓ Increased fire risk

Installing an EV charger

without upgrading the service would have created unsafe conditions, making a full panel and service upgrade the only responsible solution.

Increasing the Electrical Service Amperage

To safely support the EV charger, MK Electric Man increased the amperage of the electrical service to the home. This process goes beyond replacing a panel and involves upgrading the entire service pathway from the utility connection to the breaker panel.

The service upgrade included several critical components:

✓ Installation of a new copper wiring feeder

✓ Replacement of the existing meter socket with a new 200-amp meter socket

✓ Installation of a new 200-amp main circuit breaker panel

Copper feeders were chosen because of their excellent conductivity, durability, and long-term reliability. This ensured stable power delivery and reduced heat buildup under heavy electrical loads.

Installing a New 200-Amp Meter Socket

The meter socket is the point where electricity from the utility company enters the home. Upgrading this component is essential when increasing service amperage, as it must be rated to handle the higher current safely.

The new 200-amp meter socket provided:

• Proper capacity for increased power demand

• Secure and stable utility connection

• Improved grounding and bonding capability

• Enhanced resistance to corrosion and weather

With the new meter socket in place, the home was fully prepared to handle a modern 200-amp electrical service.

Upgrading to a 200-Amp Main Circuit Breaker Panel

Once the service entrance components were upgraded, MK Electric Man installed a new 200-amp main circuit breaker panel. This panel serves as the heart of the home’s electrical system, distributing power safely to all circuits.

The new panel offered several advantages:

•Increased total available amperage

• Space for additional breakers

• Improved breaker reliability

• Enhanced safety features

• Compliance with current electrical codes

This upgrade ensured that the home could handle both existing electrical demands and future expansions.

Installing the 60-Amp EV Charger Circuit

After the panel upgrade was complete, the electrician was able to safely install the 60-amp EV charger circuit. This circuit was dedicated solely to the electric vehicle charger, ensuring consistent and uninterrupted power delivery.

The EV charger installation included:

• A dedicated 60-amp circuit breaker

•Properly sized wiring

•Secure outlet installation

• Correct grounding and bonding

By isolating the EV charger on its own circuit, the risk of overloads and voltage fluctuations was eliminated.

Importance of Prope

Grounding and Surge Protection

High-powered electrical systems require robust grounding and surge protection to maintain safety and protect sensitive equipment. As part of this project, MK Electric Man installed both a whole-house surge protector and a new grounding system.

The grounding and protection work included:

Installation of two ground rods

Connection with a grounding electrode conductor

Installation of a whole-house surge protector at the panel

This setup helps safely direct excess electricity into the ground during surges, lightning strikes, or utility fluctuations.

Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection

A whole-house surge protector protects every circuit in the home, not just individual outlets. This is especially important in homes with EV chargers, smart appliances, and modern electronics.

Key benefits include:

Protection for appliances and electronics

Reduced breaker and panel damage

Increased equipment lifespan

Improved electrical stability

This added layer of protection ensures long-term reliability and peace of mind.

Why Proper Grounding Matters

Grounding is one of the most critical aspects of any electrical system. Without proper grounding, excess electricity has nowhere safe to go, increasing the risk of shock, fire, and equipment failure.

Installing two ground rods improves:

Electrical safety

Fault current dissipation

Surge protection effectiveness

Code compliance

This grounding system ensures that the upgraded electrical service operates safely under all conditions.

A First-Class Electrical Upgrade

This project in Bayou Cane was a complete, first-class electrical upgrade performed by MK Electric Man. From increasing service amperage to installing EV-ready infrastructure and surge protection, every step was completed with precision and attention to detail.

The completed work provided the homeowner with:

A modern 200-amp electrical service

Safe and reliable EV charging

Improved electrical safety

Future-ready capacity

Long-term peace of mind

Conclusion

This Bayou Cane project highlights the importance of upgrading electrical systems to meet modern demands. A 100-amp panel was no longer sufficient to support a 60-amp EV charger, making a full service and panel upgrade necessary. By installing new copper feeders, a 200-amp meter socket, a 200-amp main breaker panel, proper grounding, and whole-house surge protection, MK Electric Man delivered a safe, reliable, and future-proof solution.

As more homeowners adopt electric vehicles, projects like this will become increasingly common. With professional planning and expert installation, EV charging at home can be both convenient and completely safe.

Service provided: EV Chargers, Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

Location: Houma, LA