Generate Current Electric

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FAQs

FAQs

  • FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

From residential upgrades to commercial installations, we offer a comprehensive range of electrical services delivered with precision and care.

How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?

Common signs include: breakers that trip frequently, flickering or dimming lights when appliances run, a burning smell near your panel, outlets or switches that are warm to the touch, a panel that’s 20+ years old, or you’re adding a high-draw appliance like an EV charger, HVAC system, or home addition. If you’re unsure, give us a call — we can often diagnose over the phone or schedule a quick on-site assessment.

Most residential panel upgrades are completed in a single day — typically 4 to 8 hours depending on the complexity. Overhead service upgrades may take slightly longer due to utility coordination. We’ll give you a realistic timeline when we quote the job, and we schedule the utility disconnect/reconnect in advance so your power is off for as short a window as possible.
We ask that an adult homeowner or authorized representative be present at the start and end of the job — for the initial walkthrough and final sign-off. You don’t need to be there every minute, but we do want to walk you through the completed work and answer any questions before we leave. We’ll call you when we’re 30 minutes from finishing.
Yes — California requires a permit for main electrical panel upgrades. Working without a permit creates liability issues, can void your homeowner’s insurance, and may cause problems when you sell the property. We handle all permit applications as part of our full-service packages, and we coordinate with the local building department and your utility company to keep the process smooth and fast.
Overhead service means the electrical lines run from the utility pole to a weatherhead mast on your roof or exterior wall. Underground service means lines come in below ground, typically through a conduit. Overhead upgrades involve replacing the mast, service entrance cable, and meter base, while underground upgrades typically involve only the panel and meter base. Both require utility coordination for reconnection.
Yes — real estate agents and home inspectors consistently flag outdated electrical panels as a red flag for buyers. A modern 200-amp panel tells buyers the home is ready for EV chargers, smart home systems, and modern appliances without additional electrical work. Many buyers request panel upgrades as a condition of sale on older homes. Upgrading proactively can give you leverage in negotiations and speed up a future sale.
Sometimes, yes — it depends on your current panel’s available capacity. If your existing panel has enough headroom and a suitable breaker slot, we can install a dedicated 240V circuit for an EV charger without a full upgrade. However, many older 100-amp panels are already near or at capacity, making an upgrade necessary. We always assess your panel first and give you an honest recommendation — we won’t push an upgrade you don’t need.
Your home’s power will be off during the upgrade, typically for 4–6 hours. We coordinate the utility disconnect/reconnect window to minimize downtime. We recommend planning ahead — charge your devices, make note of items in the fridge, and avoid scheduling the upgrade on a day when power is critical. Our crew works efficiently and cleanly, and most homeowners find the disruption much less significant than expected.
How long does an EV charger installation take?

Most standard EV charger installations take between 2 to 4 hours from start to finish. If your electrical panel is close to the installation location and no upgrades are needed, we can often complete the job in under 2 hours. We’ll give you a realistic time estimate when you schedule your appointment.

Not always. Many modern homes have enough panel capacity to support a Level 2 EV charger without any upgrades. Our electricians assess your panel before quoting, and if an upgrade is needed, we’ll explain exactly why and what it costs — no upselling, just facts. Homes with older 100-amp panels often do need an upgrade to safely charge an EV.

Yes — we install chargers for every major EV brand including Tesla, Ford, Rivian, BMW, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Audi, and more. Whether you’re installing a manufacturer-supplied EVSE or a third-party charger like ChargePoint, JuiceBox, or Wallbox, we handle the full electrical work and ensure it’s configured correctly for your vehicle.

Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V household outlet and adds roughly 3–5 miles of range per hour — suitable for plug-in hybrids but too slow for most full EVs. Level 2 charging uses a dedicated 240V circuit and delivers 20–30 miles of range per hour, fully charging most EVs overnight. We install Level 2 chargers, which is what nearly all EV owners need for practical daily driving.
 
In most California jurisdictions, a permit is required for new electrical circuit installations, including EV chargers. As a licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor, we handle all the required documentation to ensure your installation is code-compliant and can pass inspection. Many cities in Southern California have streamlined EV charger permits, so the process is usually quick.
California law (SB 1236) gives tenants the right to request EV charger installations in many cases — landlords generally cannot unreasonably deny these requests. However, the tenant typically bears the installation cost. We can assess your parking situation, advise on what’s possible, and help you understand your rights before you approach your landlord. Give us a call to discuss your specific setup.
Yes. The federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Form 8911) may cover up to 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing a home EV charger, up to $1,000 for individuals. Some California utilities like SCE and SDG&E also offer rebates for Level 2 charger installation. We recommend checking your utility’s website and consulting a tax professional to confirm what you qualify for.
We serve the full Southern California region including Inland Empire, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. Our most frequently visited cities include Temecula, Murrieta, Redlands, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Chino Hills, Pasadena, Eastvale, Yorba Linda, Menifee, Glendora, Riverside, Irvine, and many more. If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, give us a call — chances are we do.
Do we need to leave our home during the rewire?

In most cases, no. Our crews work room by room and restore power at the end of each day. We’ll discuss your specific layout during the assessment and flag any exceptions.

Most 3–4 bedroom homes take 5–7 working days. Larger homes or those with complex layouts may take up to two weeks. We’ll give you a precise timeline in your quote.

Some access is required in most homes. Our team uses low-impact techniques wherever possible and patches any drywall work before we leave the job site.

Yes. Updated electrical wiring is one of the top items buyers and inspectors check. A completed rewire with permits significantly increases saleability and can recover its cost at closing.

We can plan and install dedicated EV charger circuits and solar-ready infrastructure during the rewire at minimal added cost — far cheaper than returning later.

Yes. If your rewire is triggered by fire or storm damage, we provide the documentation your insurer needs and can communicate directly with adjusters on your behalf.

How long does an LED lighting installation take?

Most standard LED lighting installations take between 1 to 3 hours from start to finish, depending on the number of fixtures and the complexity of the wiring involved. A single-room retrofit can often be completed in under an hour, while a whole-home or commercial LED upgrade may take a full day or more. We’ll give you a realistic time estimate when you schedule your appointment so you know exactly what to expect.

In most cases, no. LED fixtures are designed to work with standard residential and commercial wiring. However, if your home has older wiring, aluminum wiring, or circuits that are already near capacity, our electricians will assess your setup before installation and let you know if any upgrades are needed. We never start work without giving you a full, transparent picture of what’s required — and what it will cost.

Yes. Generate Current Electric installs LED lighting for both residential and commercial clients throughout Southern California. Whether you’re upgrading the lighting in your living room, retrofitting a warehouse with LED panel lights, or installing energy-efficient lighting throughout a retail or office space, our licensed electricians have the experience to handle the job safely and professionally.

A LED retrofit means replacing your existing light fixtures — such as incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lights — with new, energy-efficient LED alternatives using your existing wiring and fixture locations. New LED fixture installation involves installing brand-new fixtures in locations that didn’t previously have lighting, which may require running new wiring and circuits. Both services are handled by our licensed electricians, and we’ll recommend the right approach based on your goals and existing setup.

Not always. Many older dimmer switches are designed for incandescent bulbs and are not compatible with LED fixtures, which can cause flickering, buzzing, or reduced dimming performance. As part of our LED installation service, we check all dimmer switches for LED compatibility and replace any incompatible dimmers with LED-rated dimmer switches — so your new lighting looks and performs exactly as it should.

Simple fixture replacements — swapping one fixture for another in the same location — typically do not require a permit in California. However, installing new circuits, adding new fixture locations, or making changes to your electrical panel may require a permit depending on your local city or county requirements. As a licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor, Generate Current Electric ensures all work is code-compliant and we’ll let you know upfront if a permit is needed for your specific project.

Switching to LED lighting can reduce your lighting energy consumption by up to 75% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs also last significantly longer — typically 15,000 to 50,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours for a standard incandescent — which means fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs over time. For businesses with large numbers of fixtures, the savings can be substantial. We’re happy to walk you through the estimated energy savings for your specific project when you request a quote.

We serve homeowners and businesses across Inland Empire, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. Our electricians travel to cities including Riverside, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Irvine, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Escondido, El Cajon, Corona, Fontana, and many more. Call us at (760) 223-7258 to confirm availability in your area.

How long does new construction wiring take?

The timeline depends on the size and scope of your project. A standard single-family home rough-in typically takes 2–4 days, while finish and trim-out adds another 1–2 days after drywall is complete. Larger commercial projects or multi-unit builds will vary based on square footage and complexity. We’ll give you a realistic timeline estimate when you request your quote — and we coordinate directly with your build schedule so there are no delays.

Yes — all new construction electrical work in California requires a permit and must pass inspection by your local city or county building department. As a licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor, Generate Current Electric handles all code-compliant installation and ensures every phase of your wiring is inspection-ready. We’ll guide you through the permit process so you’re never left guessing.

Absolutely. We work alongside general contractors, builders, and project managers on a regular basis. We coordinate our scheduling around your construction phases — showing up for rough-in when framing is complete and returning for trim-out after drywall — so your project stays on track and on time. Just connect us with your GC and we’ll handle the rest.

Rough-in wiring is completed during the framing phase, before walls are closed. This is when we run all the electrical circuits, outlet boxes, switch boxes, and panel feeds through the open wall cavities. Finish wiring (also called trim-out) happens after drywall is installed — this is when we return to install all the devices, including outlets, switches, light fixtures, and cover plates. Both phases are required for a complete, code-compliant electrical installation.

Yes. We regularly wire Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), guest houses, garage conversions, and backyard cottages throughout Southern California. Whether it’s a new standalone structure or an addition to an existing property, we handle the full electrical installation — from subpanel installation to final fixture trim-out — all to California code.

Yes. Generate Current Electric serves both residential and commercial clients. We wire single-family homes, ADUs, multi-unit residential buildings, retail spaces, office buildings, and more. Our licensed electricians are experienced with both residential and commercial electrical codes, load calculations, and panel configurations — so no project is too big or too small.

Yes. Every new construction project includes a properly sized electrical panel installation as part of our service. If your project requires a larger panel, a subpanel, or a multi-phase commercial panel, we handle the full installation — sized correctly from the start to handle your current and future electrical needs safely and efficiently.

We serve homeowners, builders, and contractors across Inland Empire, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. Our electricians travel to cities including Riverside, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Irvine, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Escondido, El Cajon, Corona, Fontana, and many more. Call us at (760) 223-7258 to confirm availability in your area.

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