Your electrical panel is the nerve center of your home. If it can't keep up with today's loads—or if it's a brand that has become a safety and insurance concern—it's time to upgrade. Franklin's newer subdivisions sometimes have 150-amp service that still falls short for today's all-electric loads and EV chargers. Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has served Franklin and Milwaukee County for more than 60 years, and our licensed electricians make panel upgrades straightforward, code-compliant, and fully permitted.
## From 100 to 200 Amps: Why It Matters
The standard upgrade path is from a 100-amp service to a 200-amp panel. This doubles your home's electrical capacity and makes room for the circuits that modern households require: dedicated HVAC systems, electric ranges, EV chargers, home offices, and whole-home generators. Franklin's southern Milwaukee County growth is bringing Tesla and other EV owners who need a Level 2 charger circuit their current panel can't support. In some cases—particularly for larger homes or properties with detached workshops and EV fleets—we can engineer a 400-amp service entrance instead.
## Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panels: Know the Risk
Franklin has its share of homes with Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco/Sylvania electrical panels. These brands were manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s and have been linked to breakers that fail to trip under overload conditions, creating a fire hazard. Many homeowners' insurance carriers now require their replacement as a condition of coverage. If you're unsure what brand of panel you have, Burkhardt will inspect it at no obligation and give you an honest assessment.
## EV Charger Readiness Built Right In
Upgrading your panel is the ideal time to add a dedicated 240V, 50-amp circuit for a Level 2 EV charger. Whether you drive a Tesla, a Ford F-150 Lightning, or any other plug-in vehicle, a dedicated circuit charges your car overnight without stressing the rest of your electrical system. Burkhardt installs charger-ready circuits as part of every panel upgrade project upon request.
## Permits, Inspections, and Peace of Mind
Every Burkhardt panel upgrade in Franklin is fully permitted and inspected by Milwaukee County electrical authorities. You receive a completed, code-compliant installation and documentation your insurance carrier will accept. GreenSky financing options are available for qualified customers.
Call Burkhardt at **414-206-3049** to schedule your free panel assessment in Franklin.
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 long does a panel upgrade take in Franklin?
A standard 100-to-200-amp panel upgrade in Franklin typically takes one day. Power to the home is off for a portion of that time while the new panel is installed and connections are made. Burkhardt coordinates the utility disconnect and inspection to minimize downtime.
Will my homeowner's insurance rate change after a panel upgrade?
Many insurers offer lower rates—or reinstate coverage—once a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panel is replaced with a modern, code-approved panel. Contact your insurance agent after the upgrade to report the improvement and ask about any applicable discounts.
Related Services
Learn more about our electrical services across southeastern Wisconsin.

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