Big Bend's Fox River community combines older established homes with newer construction in Waukesha County. For homeowners in either category, Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric provides complete electrical panel upgrades — replacing dangerous older panels and expanding capacity for modern electrical demands.
If your Big Bend home was built between the 1950s and 1980s, there's a real possibility it contains a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco (Sylvania) panel. Both brands have a well-documented history of breaker failures that can allow dangerous fault currents to flow unchecked — a fire risk that Burkhardt eliminates through complete panel replacement. We handle the entire process: Waukesha County permits, We Energies coordination, panel removal and replacement, circuit labeling, and inspection sign-off.
For newer Big Bend homes, panel upgrades center on expanding capacity: EV charging stations, whole-home generator connections, additional circuits for workshop equipment, and sub-panel feeds to outbuildings. We design every panel upgrade around your specific needs and anticipated growth.
Big Bend's Fox River location means some properties have basements and crawlspaces with sump pump circuits that need reliable electrical backing. Combining a panel upgrade with a generator connection ensures sump pump circuits are covered by backup power — a compelling combination for riverside properties.
GreenSky financing is available. Call Burkhardt at 414-206-3049 to schedule your Big Bend panel upgrade.
**FAQs**
**Q: How do I know if my Big Bend home needs a panel upgrade versus just a panel repair?** A: If your panel is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco brand, replacement is the right answer — they can't be safely repaired to modern standards. For other panels, we assess condition and capacity to determine whether upgrade or repair is appropriate.
**Q: Can Burkhardt install AFCI breakers in my new Big Bend panel?** A: Yes. Modern panels accept AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) breakers, which are now code-required for bedroom and living area circuits in new construction. We incorporate AFCI and GFCI protection as required by current Wisconsin code.
EV Charger Installation
As electric vehicles become more common across Southeastern Wisconsin, many homeowners need a Level 2 EV charger installed in their garage. This typically requires a dedicated 240-volt, 50-amp circuit from your electrical panel — and in older homes, a panel upgrade to handle the additional load. Our licensed electricians handle the complete installation: panel assessment, circuit addition, charger mounting, and final inspection. We install all major EV charger brands including ChargePoint, Tesla Wall Connector, JuiceBox, and Grizzl-E.
We install and service panels from Square D, Eaton/Cutler-Hammer, Siemens, and GE. For generators, we're authorized Generac installers — headquartered right here in Waukesha, WI.
How do I know if my Big Bend home needs a panel upgrade versus just a panel repair?
If your panel is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco brand, replacement is the right answer — they can't be safely repaired to modern standards. For other panels, we assess condition and capacity to determine whether upgrade or repair is appropriate.
Can Burkhardt install AFCI breakers in my new Big Bend panel?
Yes. Modern panels accept AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) breakers, which are now code-required for bedroom and living area circuits in new construction. We incorporate AFCI and GFCI protection as required by current Wisconsin code.
Related Services
Learn more about our electrical services across southeastern Wisconsin.
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Call Us At: (414) 206-3049
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