Panels have gotten smarter. Smart breakers and panels show what each circuit uses and can switch or limit loads from an app, which helps with EV charging, batteries and outages. Under the hood, modern panels also carry AFCI and GFCI protection and a surge protective device. We install and upgrade panels from the brands you’ll find in most homes, and help you decide whether a smart option is worth it.
What we do
- Smart panelsCircuit-level monitoring and control.
- Smart breakersAdded to a compatible existing panel where that makes sense.
- AFCI, GFCI and dual functionThe right protection for each room.
- Whole-home surge protectionType 1 or Type 2 at the service, plus point-of-use.
- Meter-mainsMeter and main breaker in one box outside.
- EV-readySpace and capacity planned for chargers and batteries.
Inside a modern panel
- 1Main breaker: shuts off the whole house.
- 2Surge protective device (SPD): required on dwelling services since the 2020 NEC (NFPA).
- 3AFCI: trips on dangerous arcing, required on most 120 V circuits in living spaces (Eaton).
- 4GFCI: trips on ground faults at 4–6 mA to protect people (Schneider Electric). Dual function (DF) does both.
- 5Smart breaker: can be monitored and switched from an app, e.g. Siemens Inhab or Eaton AbleEdge (Siemens).
- 6Gateway: connects the smart breakers to Wi-Fi (Siemens).
AFCI, GFCI or dual function: which goes where
| Area (homes) | AFCI | GFCI |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Yes | Yes |
| Laundry | Yes | Yes |
| Bedrooms, living, family and dining rooms, hallways, closets | Yes | — |
| Bathrooms | — | Yes |
| Garages, basements, outdoors | — | Yes |
Simplified from the 2023 NEC summary; your local code edition and exceptions apply. Where both are needed, one dual-function breaker or outlet can cover it (Leviton).
On Square D QO Plug-On Neutral load centers, AFCI and GFCI breakers clip onto a neutral rail, so there’s no coiled pigtail; these breakers only fit Plug-On Neutral panels (Schneider Electric).
Smart panels and smart breakers
A smart panel or smart breaker shows how much power each circuit uses and lets you switch or limit loads from an app. That helps with EV charging, battery backup and finding the fridge that’s running all night.
| Product | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Square D Energy Center | Smart panel | Schneider Electric’s panel for monitoring and control (Schneider Electric) |
| Siemens Inhab | Controllable breakers and energy monitor | Solid-state 1-pole 15/20 A breakers with a gateway in the panel (Siemens) |
| Eaton AbleEdge | Smart 2-pole breakers | For Eaton BR load centers; Wi-Fi, scheduling and load shedding (Eaton) |
| Leviton smart load center | Load center with monitoring | Per-circuit monitoring and remote control (Leviton) |
| SPAN Panel | Smart panel | Circuit-level control; can pause an EV charger near the service limit (SPAN) (SPAN) |
Whole-home surge protection
Meter-mains and EV-ready panels
A meter-main puts the utility meter and the main breaker in one box outside, which frees space in the inside panel and gives a clear shutoff. When we replace a service, we plan for what’s coming: spaces for an EV circuit, a battery or a generator, and room for surge protection.
See also: panel and service upgrades and EV chargers and load management.
Choosing a system
We work on the panels you’ll find in most homes and businesses, and we’ll tell you honestly if a smart option isn’t worth it for your house. What we compare:
- Which breakers fit your panel, and whether AFCI and GFCI versions are available for it
- Spaces for what’s coming: an EV circuit, a battery, a generator, surge protection
- Monitoring only, or monitoring with control and load shedding
- Whether the app needs internet or a subscription, and what happens if the company stops supporting it
- Compatibility with your battery, solar or EV charger
The products in the table above are examples only.
Any product names here are only examples to help you recognize what’s out there, not recommendations. IES is an independent electrical contractor and isn’t affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any manufacturer. If you already own a system, call us and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can help.
From our jobs
How the job goes
- 1Call or send a quote request
Tell us what you’re adding or what’s tripping.
- 2Walkthrough and load check
Your panel, service size and what’s on it.
- 3Options and estimate
Smart or standard, with honest pros and cons.
- 4Permit and install
Including utility coordination when the service changes.
- 5Inspection and app setup
We pass inspection and set up the app with you.
Permits and inspections
Panel replacements, service changes and most breaker additions need a permit and inspection, and service work needs coordination with the utility. We handle both.
Inside Auburn city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Auburn Building Division, which takes permit applications online. In unincorporated areas, such as North Auburn, it’s Placer County Building Services. Elsewhere it’s that city or county’s building department. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection and meet the inspector.
From our Google reviews
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Common questions
Is a smart panel worth it?
It depends. If you’re adding an EV charger, batteries or solar to a busy panel, circuit-level control can help and may avoid a service upgrade. For a simple house, smart breakers on a few big loads, or none at all, may be enough.
Can I add smart breakers to my existing panel?
Sometimes. Smart breakers are made for specific panel lines, such as Eaton AbleEdge for Eaton BR load centers. We check your panel’s make and model first.
What’s the difference between AFCI and GFCI?
AFCI protects against arcing that can start fires. GFCI protects people from shock. Dual-function devices do both.
Do I need whole-home surge protection?
Codes based on the 2020 NEC and later require it on dwelling services, including when the service equipment is replaced. It’s also an easy add to an existing panel.
Why do some AFCI breakers have no pigtail?
Plug-on neutral panels, like Square D QO Plug-On Neutral, connect the breaker to a neutral rail directly. Those breakers only fit plug-on neutral panels.
Request a free quote
Free estimates, no pressure. Tell us a little about the job and we’ll get back to you. Or call (530) 401-7419, answered 24/7.
Sources
- City of Auburn Building Division www.auburn.ca.gov
- Placer County Building Services www.placer.ca.gov
- NFPA: 2020 NEC changes for residential services (surge protection) www.nfpa.org
- Eaton: 2023 NEC updates pocket guide (AFCI and GFCI) www.eaton.com
- Schneider Electric FAQ: AFCI, GFCI and dual-function breakers for QO www.se.com
- Siemens: Inhab controllable circuit breaker www.siemens.com
- Siemens: Inhab home energy management www.siemens.com
- Leviton: Dual function AFCI/GFCI leviton.com
- Schneider Electric FAQ: QO and QO Plug-On Neutral breakers and load centers www.se.com
- Schneider Electric: Square D Energy Center smart panel www.se.com
- Eaton: AbleEdge smart breaker FAQ www.eaton.com
- Leviton: Smart load center leviton.com
- SPAN: SPAN Panel www.span.io
- SPAN Support: What is SPAN PowerUp support.span.io
- EC&M: Code Q&A, protection of dwelling unit services (NEC 230.67) www.ecmweb.com
Code notes are simplified; the edition your city has adopted and its exceptions apply. Product details come from the makers and can change. Checked against the sources above in November 2026.