For Homes
We replace rusted masts and burned meter mains for Upland homeowners. You get a written scope and a permit handled for you.
- Rusted mast at roof
- Burned meter socket
- 100-amp service too small
Meter Main and Service Mast Replacement Upland CA Done Code-Correct
When your meter main or service mast fails, you need meter main and service mast replacement Upland CA homeowners can trust. We handle the city electrical permit, pull the meter with utility coordination, and install a new meter combo replacement in Upland, California built to NEC 2020/2023 and California Electrical Code standards. Same-day emergency response is available across San Bernardino County.
Meter socket checkMast anchoringGrounding test- Photos beforeWe document existing damage
- Torque to specEvery lug gets a torque screwdriver
- Panel labeledEach breaker gets a printed label
- Site cleanedOld parts hauled away
What Our Meter Main and Service Mast Replacement Includes
Every replacement includes the meter combo, service mast, new conductors, grounding verification, permit filing, and utility coordination. We list what is covered in writing before we start. Add-ons like subpanels, surge protection, or an amperage upgrade are quoted separately so you can decide.
New Meter Main Combo
We supply and install a UL-listed meter main combo from Square D, Eaton, or Milbank, sized to your load calculation. The combo includes the main breaker, meter socket, and labeled circuit directory.
Service Mast and Weatherhead
A new rigid metal conduit mast, weatherhead, and drip loop installed to SCE overhead clearance specs. We flash the roof penetration and anchor the mast with straps rated for wind load.
New Service Conductors
We replace the overhead conductors from the weatherhead to the meter and from the meter to the panel with new copper wire sized to the amperage. Aluminum wiring issues are corrected at the same time.
Grounding and Bonding
We verify or install the grounding electrode system, bond the meter main, and test resistance. Proper grounding is required for the city inspection and protects your electronics during surges.
Permit and Utility Coordination
We file the Upland electrical permit, schedule the SCE disconnect, meet the inspector, and request the reconnect. You get copies of the permit card and inspection sign-off.
AFCI and GFCI Breakers
Where required by NEC 2020/2023, we install AFCI and GFCI breakers for bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and garage circuits. This brings the new service into code compliance.
Homes and businesses.
The approach is the same for a home and a business. What changes is the access, the schedule and who needs the paperwork.
For Businesses
We replace failed meter mains and masts for Upland property managers and small businesses. We document damage and coordinate utility reconnect.
- Tenant reports sparking
- Meter main heat damage
- Insurance inspection request
What Meter Main and Service Mast Replacement Upland CA Involves
A plain-language look at what Meter Main and Service Mast Replacement involves and when it is needed.
See how it worksMeter main and service mast replacement Upland CA is the electrical service that replaces a damaged or outdated meter main combo and the overhead mast that carries power from the utility drop to your panel. The meter main houses your main breaker and meter socket; the service mast is the rigid conduit riser above the roofline. When either fails, the whole service connection is compromised. We replace both as a matched assembly so the new meter socket, main breaker, and mast meet current amperage ratings and clearances.
Upland's older housing stock, especially around Historic Downtown Upland and College Heights, still has 100-amp meter mains with rusted masts and cloth-wrapped wire. Add decades of Santa Ana wind exposure and summer heat cycling above 100 degrees, and mast damage becomes common. If you have been searching for meter main replacement near me Upland, our team confirms whether a repair or full meter combo replacement Upland, California is the safer call.
A meter main and mast replacement restores safe power and passes utility reconnect.
- What it is
- Replacing the meter main combo and overhead service mast that connect utility power to your panel.
- When you need it
- Rusted mast, burned meter socket, failed inspection, or an amperage upgrade for EV or solar.
- What to expect
- Permit filed, power off 4 to 8 hours, inspection passed, utility reconnect within 48 hours.
How Our Meter Main Replacement Process Works
From the first call to the utility reconnect, you know what happens and when. Most jobs are permitted, scheduled, and completed within a week, with same-day emergency service when a mast is hanging or the meter socket is burned.
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Phone Assessment
You call (909) 850-3163 and describe what you see: a leaning mast, a burned meter socket, or a breaker that will not reset. We ask for photos and your address, check whether your ZIP is in our Upland service area, and give you a realistic arrival window, usually within 90 minutes for emergencies.
- Phone triage
- Photo review
- Arrival window
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On-Site Inspection
We use a multimeter and clamp meter to measure voltage and load, then photograph the mast base, weatherhead, and meter socket. You get a written scope the same day.
- Voltage check
- Load reading
- Written scope
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Permit and Utility Coordination
We file the city electrical permit with Upland Building and Safety and schedule the disconnect with Southern California Edison. Typical permit turnaround is 3 to 5 business days. You do not call the utility; we handle the meter pull request and the reconnect inspection scheduling.
- Permit filed
- Utility scheduled
- Disconnect set
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Installation Day
Power is off for 4 to 8 hours. We remove the old meter main and mast, install the new meter combo, mount the mast with proper roof flashing, run new copper conductors, and torque all terminations. The panel gets AFCI and GFCI breakers where required and a printed circuit directory.
- Old removed
- New installed
- Torqued and labeled
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Inspection and Reconnect
The city inspector signs off, then SCE reconnects the service, usually within 24 to 48 hours of passing inspection. We walk you through the new panel, show you the main disconnect, and leave the permit card and load calculation on site. You get a follow-up call in 30 days.
- Inspection passed
- Reconnect set
- Follow-up call
Tools and Methods We Use on Every Replacement
Move across a circle, or focus it and press Enter, for an illustrative thermal view of the photograph.
Multimeter and clamp meter
We measure voltage and load at the meter main before and after replacement to confirm the new service is balanced and within capacity.
Torque screwdriver
Every lug and terminal is torqued to the manufacturer's spec. Loose terminations are the leading cause of meter socket heat damage.
Conduit bender and cable cutters
We bend and cut rigid conduit for the service mast on site, so the riser fits your roofline and meets SCE clearance specs.
Insulated gloves and voltage tester
We verify the service is de-energized before touching conductors, and we wear insulated gloves for any live verification required by the utility.
Fish tape and wire strippers
Used to pull new copper conductors through the mast and meter enclosure and to strip wire cleanly for terminations.
Thermal views are illustrative, generated from the photographs.
Methods
Square D and Eaton meter combos
We install UL-listed meter mains from these brands because they have available breaker spaces and pass Upland inspection without modification.
NEC 2020/2023 load calculation
We calculate your home's actual load before sizing the meter main. This determines whether 200 amps is enough or whether you need a 400-amp service, and it is required for the permit.
California Electrical Code grounding verification
We test the grounding electrode system and bond the meter main to code. Proper grounding is checked by the inspector and protects your electronics during utility surges.
SCE overhead clearance compliance
We build the service mast to Southern California Edison's overhead drop clearance specs, including mast height, weatherhead placement, and drip loop. This prevents reconnect delays.
UL listing verification
Every meter main, breaker, and surge protective device we install is UL-listed. We keep the listing labels on the equipment for the inspector to verify.
When Upland Homes Need a Meter Main Replacement
Wind-damaged mast
A homeowner in San Antonio Heights finds the mast bent after a windstorm and SCE tags the service for repair.
We inspect the mast, meter socket, and panel, then replace the mast and meter main if the socket shows heat damage. We file the permit and coordinate the SCE reconnect.
Outcome: Power restored within a week, with a new mast rated for wind load and a passed city inspection.
EV charger upgrade
A family in The Colonies adds a 60-amp EV charger and discovers their 100-amp meter main cannot handle the load.
We run a load calculation, then install a 200-amp meter main combo with dedicated breaker spaces for the EV charger and future solar.
Outcome: The EV charger runs at full amperage, and the home is solar-ready without a second service change.
Burned meter socket
A rental property owner in North Upland gets a tenant report of sparking at the meter and a burning smell.
We respond same day, shut off the main, and replace the burned meter main and mast. We document the damage with photos and handle the permit and reconnect.
Outcome: The tenant is safe, the service passes inspection, and the owner has documentation for insurance.
Solar-ready replacement
A homeowner in Historic Downtown Upland is told by their solar installer that the old meter main has no space for a solar breaker.
We replace the meter main with a solar-ready combo that includes a dedicated breaker space and a modern busbar. We coordinate with the solar contractor on the tie-in.
Outcome: Solar install proceeds without a second service change, and the new meter main passes inspection.
Fuse box conversion
A homeowner in College Heights has a 1950s fuse box and a rusted mast, and their insurance company requests an inspection.
We replace the mast and meter main, convert the fuse box to a breaker panel, and install AFCI and GFCI breakers. We provide the load calculation and inspection sign-off.
Outcome: The home passes the insurance inspection with a code-compliant service and modern breaker panel.
How Meter Main Replacement Runs in Upland
Upland's building stock splits into two eras: pre-1960 homes in Historic Downtown Upland and College Heights with 100-amp services and galvanized masts, and newer construction in The Colonies and Upland Hills with 200-amp panels that are now aging. Summer heat above 100 degrees and Santa Ana winds stress overhead service masts, and we see rusted flashing and cracked weatherheads every fall.
The City of Upland requires an electrical permit for any meter main or service mast replacement, and Southern California Edison requires a passed inspection before reconnect. We pull the permit, meet the inspector, and schedule the SCE disconnect and reconnect. If you need a meter combo replacement near me Upland CA, we cover ZIP codes 91784, 91786, and 91785 and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.
- Historic Downtown Upland: Older homes with 100-amp meter mains and galvanized masts. We often find rust at the roof flashing and cloth-wrapped conductors that need replacement.
- The Colonies: Newer construction with 200-amp panels. Many homeowners here are adding EV chargers and need a meter main with dedicated breaker spaces.
- San Antonio Heights: Elevated lots with longer service drops and more wind exposure. Masts here take a beating and often need heavier anchoring.
- College Heights: Mid-century homes with original fuse boxes and undersized services. A meter main replacement is often paired with a fuse box to breaker panel conversion.
- North Upland: Rental properties and older duplexes where meter mains show heat damage from shared loads. We document the damage for property owners.
- Summer heat above 100 degrees: Heat cycling expands and contracts meter sockets and terminations, loosening lugs over time. We torque every connection to spec to prevent heat damage.
We walk the service and explain what we see. We protect the work area and set up tools. We test the new service and review next steps.
From problem to finished result.
Rusted Mast Replaced in San Antonio Heights
Before: A 1970s home had a galvanized mast rusted through at the roof flashing, with the service drop sagging and the weatherhead cracked. SCE had tagged the service for repair, and the homeowner was without power for two days.
After: We installed a new rigid conduit mast with proper flashing and a new 200-amp meter main combo. The city inspection passed the first time, and SCE reconnected within 24 hours. Total time from call to power restored: six days.
Inspect the mast base and weatherhead each fall before storm season. Look for rust streaks on the roof or a mast that moves when pushed. Call us if you see either.
100-Amp to 200-Amp Upgrade in The Colonies
Before: A homeowner adding a 60-amp EV charger found their 100-amp meter main had no spare breaker spaces and the bus was rated for 100 amps. The charger would trip the main breaker during charging.
After: We ran a load calculation and installed a 200-amp meter main combo with a dedicated 60-amp breaker for the EV charger and two spare spaces for future solar. The charger now runs at full amperage without tripping.
Keep the area around the meter main clear and check the breaker directory after any new circuit is added. We label every breaker so you know what controls what.
Burned Meter Socket Replaced in North Upland
Before: A rental property had a meter socket with heat damage and pitted bus bars. The tenant reported sparking and a burning smell. The old meter main was a 100-amp unit with aluminum branch wiring.
After: We replaced the meter main with a 200-amp combo, corrected the aluminum wiring terminations with copper pigtails, and installed AFCI and GFCI breakers. The inspection passed, and the owner received photos of the old damage for insurance.
Check the meter socket annually for discoloration or a burning smell. If the meter base feels warm, call for an inspection before it fails completely.
Electrical Service Problems We Fix in Upland
Most meter main and mast calls start with one of these four problems. Each one gets worse if you wait, and each one has a code-correct fix we can schedule this week.
- Rusted mastRusted or bent service mastA compromised mast can pull the service drop loose, leaving live conductors exposed and your home at risk of fire or shock. SCE may disconnect the service until it is repaired. We replace the mast with rigid conduit, flash the roof penetration, and anchor it to SCE clearance specs. Most overhead service mast replacement Upland CA jobs are completed in one day, and we handle the reconnect request.
- Burned socketBurned or pitted meter socketHeat damage at the meter socket means loose terminations and arcing behind the meter. It can melt the meter jaws, damage the utility's equipment, and cause intermittent outages. We replace the entire meter main combo, not just the socket, and torque all lugs to spec with a torque screwdriver. We photograph the old damage so you can see why the replacement was necessary.
- 100-amp limitOutdated 100-amp serviceA 100-amp meter main cannot support modern AC, EV charging, or a subpanel. You get nuisance breaker tripping, dimming lights, and no room for new circuits. We upgrade to a 200-amp meter main during the replacement, sized by a full load calculation. This clears the way for EV-ready and solar-ready panel upgrades without a second service change.
- Failed panelFederal Pacific or Zinsco meter main failureThese panels are known to fail without tripping, meaning a circuit can overheat while the breaker stays on. Insurance carriers in California often refuse to cover homes with them. We replace the failed meter main with a UL-listed load center and new breakers. We transfer your circuits, install AFCI and GFCI protection where required, and label the panel.
- No permitNo permit or failed inspectionUnpermitted service work can void your insurance, delay an SCE reconnect, and cost more to correct later. A failed inspection means your power stays off until the work is fixed. We pull the Upland CA meter main and mast replacement permit, build to NEC 2020/2023, and meet the inspector on site. Our work passes the first time because we build to the checklist.
Why Upland Homeowners Replace the Meter Main and Mast
Safe power restored, code-correct, and ready for future upgrades.
Restores Full Amperage
A new 200-amp meter main gives your home the capacity modern appliances and EV chargers demand. We size the replacement to your actual load calculation, not the old 100-amp service, so nuisance breaker tripping stops and your electrical panel runs cool under peak summer demand.
Passes Utility Reconnect
Southern California Edison will not reconnect a service with a damaged mast or a meter socket that fails inspection. Our overhead service mast replacement Upland CA work is built to utility clearance specs, so the reconnect passes the first time and your power comes back on schedule.
Eliminates Fire Risk
A rusted mast can pull the service drop loose, and a failing meter main can arc behind the socket. Replacing both removes the heat damage, aluminum wiring issues, and loose terminations that start electrical fires. We torque every lug to spec with a torque screwdriver and label the panel.
Clears the Path for Solar
Solar and battery installers need a modern meter main with a dedicated breaker space. A meter main combo upgrade Upland, California done now means your solar contractor can tie in without a second service change. We install Square D and Eaton meter combos with solar-ready busbars.
What a written scope covers.
What a written scope covers and what shapes it. Prices are set by the business after the first look.
Included
- New meter main combo
- New service mast and weatherhead
- New copper conductors
- Grounding verification
- Permit filing and inspection
- AFCI and GFCI breakers
Depends on
- Amperage rating chosen
- Mast height and routing
- Conductor run length
- Panel interior condition
- Roof pitch and access
- Emergency or scheduled timing
What you receive
Clear records you can keep and share.
Permit card
Copy of filed city permit
Photo report
Before and after images
Load calc
NEC load calculation sheet
Panel label
Printed circuit directory
Repair or replace the meter main
Not every damaged service needs a full replacement. Here is how we decide.
Repair
Minor surface rust or a loose strap
- Mast still solid
- No heat damage
- Socket passes test
Replace
Heat damage or structural failure
- Pitted bus bars
- Bent mast riser
- Cracked weatherhead
Upgrade
More capacity or new features
- EV charger planned
- Solar tie-in
- 100 to 200 amps
What we work with
- Meter mains
- Service masts
- Copper wire
- Conduit
- Breakers
- AFCI
- GFCI
- Surge devices
Service ZIP codes.
A list like this tells people straight away whether you cover their street. Not listed? Call and ask: it only takes a minute.
- 91784
- 91786
- 91785
Towns we serve.
Based in Upland and covering the places around it. Pick one for local details.
- Historic Downtown Upland
- The Colonies
- Upland Hills
- San Antonio Heights
- College Heights
- Los Olivos
- McCarthy Park
- Magnolia Park
- North Upland
- Upland Palms
- Claremont
- Rancho Cucamonga
What Upland Customers Say About Our Service
Meter Main and Service Mast Replacement Questions
A 200-amp overhead replacement with a standard mast sits near the middle of that range. Underground services, long mast runs, and 400-amp upgrades push toward the top. We give you a written scope before any work starts.
Yes. The City of Upland requires an electrical permit for any meter main or service mast replacement, and Southern California Edison requires a passed inspection before reconnect. We file the permit, meet the inspector, and schedule the SCE reconnect. Skipping the permit can void your insurance and delay your power restoration by weeks.
Installation day runs 4 to 8 hours with the power off. The full timeline from call to reconnect is usually 5 to 10 business days: 3 to 5 days for the permit, one day for installation, and 24 to 48 hours for SCE to reconnect after inspection. Emergency mast replacements can be installed the same day, with reconnect the following business day.
Rust at the roof flashing, loose mast straps, a bent riser from wind or a fallen branch, and heat-damaged meter sockets are the most common causes we see. Upland's summer heat and Santa Ana winds accelerate corrosion on older galvanized masts. If the mast moves when you push it or the weatherhead is cracked, call (909) 850-3163 for an inspection.
Related Electrical Services in Upland
Other services from the same team.
- Electrical Load Calculation and InspectionBefore any upgrade we run a full load calculation on your appliances, square footage, and HVAC. You get a written result showing whether your current service carries the load or needs upsizing. We also check torque on every breaker terminal with a torque screwdriver.
- EV-Ready and Solar-Ready Panel UpgradesAdding a Level 2 charger or rooftop solar usually means a panel with open capacity and a dedicated 240V circuit. We plan the spare breaker spaces, verify busbar rating, and leave room for the solar tie-in so you are not paying for a second upgrade later.
- 100 to 200 Amp Service UpgradeThe standard upgrade for older Upland homes still running 60 or 100 amp service. We replace the meter main, service mast, and panel, then bring the grounding and bonding up to current code. Ideal if your breakers trip when the AC and dryer run together.
Get Your Meter Main and Service Mast Replacement Upland CA Scheduled
If your mast is leaning, your meter socket is burned, or SCE has tagged your service, call (909) 850-3163. Same-day emergency response is available.
Talk to a Panel Tech
Call or email with your address and what the panel is doing, and we will tell you what the job likely involves. We answer calls Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm, and return messages from Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, and Ontario the same business day. For dead panels and burning smells, say so on the call.