Ask IES Guides

Panel swaps, 200-amp service upgrades, subpanels and fuse boxes.

• How panel upgrades work
• Main panel vs subpanel: when does a subpanel make sense?
• Should I replace my fuse box?

Level 1 vs Level 2, outlet or hardwired, and whether your panel can handle it.

• EV charger basics: Level 1, Level 2, outlet or hardwired
• Can my panel handle an EV charger?
• EV charger install: permit, inspection and what to expect

Safe generator hookups, standby generators and home batteries for outages.

• Portable generator hookup: inlet and interlock, the safe way
• Standby generator vs home battery backup
• Power outage and generator safety

Panel readiness, the 120% rule, net billing and utility interconnection.

• Is my electrical panel ready for solar?
• Solar and net billing in California, in plain English
• Solar permits, inspection and utility interconnection

Warning signs, GFCI and AFCI protection, smoke and CO alarms.

• Electrical warning signs you should never ignore
• GFCI vs AFCI: what they do and how to test them
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in California homes

Problem panel brands, knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring, 2-prong outlets and surge protection.

• Federal Pacific, Zinsco and other problem panels: what to know
• Knob-and-tube wiring: risks, insurance and replacement
• Aluminum wiring in 1960s and 70s homes
• Two-prong outlets and cloth wiring: your GFCI options
• Whole-home surge protection vs plug-in strips

Tripping breakers, dead outlets and flickering lights: what is safe to check.

• Why does my breaker keep tripping?
• Outlets not working but the breaker is not tripped
• Lights flickering or dimming: harmless or a warning?

Wire and breaker sizes, 120 vs 240 volts, grounding and bonding.

• Wire size and breaker size: how they go together
• 120 volts vs 240 volts in your home
• Grounding and bonding basics for homeowners

When you need an electrical permit, what inspectors check, and unpermitted work.

• Do I need an electrical permit? (California)
• What happens at an electrical inspection
• Unpermitted electrical work and selling a home

Outlet types, LED recessed lighting and Title 24, dimmers and flicker.

• Outlet types: GFCI, AFCI, tamper-resistant, USB and 20-amp
• LED recessed lighting and California Title 24
• Why LED lights flicker or buzz on a dimmer