Electrician in San Diego
Welcome to Carter Electric
At Carter Electric, we have been a household name in the region for decades, firmly establishing ourselves as the premier San Diego electricians you can trust. Our reputation was built upon a foundation of exceptional workmanship, unwavering safety standards, and a deep commitment to our neighbors. We owe our continued success to the unique, personal approach we take to serving our community. Unlike many other electrical companies that treat clients as just another number, we view our customers as neighbors and partners.Our locally-operated, locally-owned business is fully insured, bonded, and licensed to operate in the state of California. As a leading San Diego electrical contractor, we are pleased to offer a comprehensive array of electrical services that span from minor residential repairs to complicated commercial installations. Our loyal clientele fully trusts our expertise and experience, and we consider your trust the greatest compliment of all.We always put customer satisfaction above all else. In a city as vibrant and fast-paced as San Diego, you need an electrical company that is responsive and reliable. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or problems—we are here to offer quick resolutions. Our prices are unbeatable, and the licensed electrician on our team assigned to your project will be among the most trustworthy, dependable, and seasoned professionals in the area.Whether you are looking for electricians near you for a scheduled electrical repair, a panel upgrade for a historic home in Mission Hills, or facing an electrical emergency in the middle of the night in La Jolla, we’re ready to assist. Reach out to Carter Electric today and discover why we are the preferred electrician in San Diego, standing out from any other local provider.
Comprehensive San Diego Electrical Services
When you are searching for an experienced electrician in San Diego, you need someone who goes beyond simple wire repairs. We offer a full suite of San Diego electrical services designed to meet the modern energy demands of California homeowners and business owners. Our expertise covers the entire spectrum of the electrical trade.
Residential Electrician Services
Your home is your sanctuary. We ensure it remains safe, lit, and powered efficiently. As your dedicated residential electrician, our division is trained to treat your home with respect, ensuring clean work sites and minimally invasive installation methods.
Whole-Home Rewiring & Historic Home Upgrades
San Diego is home to many beautiful historic properties, but their electrical systems often lag behind. Homes built before the 1950s often contain knob-and-tube wiring, while those from the 60s and 70s may have dangerous aluminum wiring. These outdated systems lack grounding and cannot handle the load of modern electronics. We specialize in whole-home rewiring, replacing compromised wires with modern, grounded copper wiring to ensure safety and insurance compliance.
Electrical Panel Upgrades & Replacements
The electrical panel is the heart of your home’s energy system. If your breakers trip frequently, your lights flicker, or your panel is over 25 years old, it may be time for an upgrade. We upgrade standard 100-amp panels to 200-amp or even 400-amp services to accommodate modern heavy hitters like central air conditioning, induction ranges, and hot tubs. We also replace recalled panels (such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco) that pose significant fire hazards.
EV Charger Installation (Level 1 & Level 2)
As electric vehicles become the standard in California, home charging is a necessity. We install dedicated circuits and heavy-duty outlets (NEMA 14-50) for Level 2 chargers, which can charge your vehicle up to 6x faster than a standard wall outlet. We work with all major brands (Tesla, ChargePoint, JuiceBox) and ensure your electrical service can handle the additional load.
Interior & Exterior Lighting Design
Lighting transforms a house into a home. Our services include:
- Recessed Lighting (Can Lights): Modern LED retrofits that save energy and offer a sleek look.
- Kitchen & Bath Lighting: Under-cabinet task lighting, vanity fixtures, and pendant lights.
- Landscape Lighting: Low-voltage LED pathways, uplighting for trees, and architectural accents to boost curb appeal and security.
- Security Lighting: Motion-activated floodlights and dusk-to-dawn perimeter lighting.
Ceiling & Exhaust Fan Installation
Keep your home cool and moisture-free. We install ceiling fans in bedrooms and living areas to reduce reliance on AC. In bathrooms and laundry rooms, we install high-performance exhaust fans to ventilate moisture and prevent mold growth—a critical service in our coastal climate.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Safety is non-negotiable. We install hardwired, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detection systems. If one alarm triggers, they all sound, ensuring you are alerted regardless of where you are in the home. We also replace expired units (sensors degrade after 10 years).
Whole-Home Surge Protection
Modern homes are filled with sensitive electronics—from smart fridges to 4K TVs. A single power surge from the grid or a lightning strike can fry these devices instantly. We install whole-home surge protection devices directly at your main panel to stop voltage spikes before they enter your home’s wiring.
Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Wiring
San Diego living often means backyard relaxation. We provide safe, code-compliant wiring for pools, hot tubs, and spas. This includes installing GFCI protection, bonding grids, and emergency disconnects to ensure you can enjoy the water safely.
Commercial Electrician Solutions
We help local businesses keep the lights on and operations running smoothly. Time is money, and electrical downtime can be devastating. As your premier commercial electrician, we understand the urgency of business needs.
Commercial Lighting & Title 24 Compliance
We specialize in energy-efficient lighting retrofits that lower your overhead and meet California’s strict Title 24 energy standards. This includes installing occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting controls, and high-efficiency LED troffers for offices, warehouses, and retail spaces.
Tenant Improvements & Build-Outs
Whether you are opening a new restaurant, remodeling a retail store, or updating an office suite, we handle the electrical build-out. From moving outlets to installing heavy-duty circuits for commercial kitchens and servers, we work with your general contractor to stay on schedule.
Dedicated Computer & Equipment Circuits
Servers, copiers, and heavy machinery require “clean” power free from electrical noise. We install isolated ground circuits and dedicated lines to protect your sensitive business equipment and prevent data loss or hardware failure.
Structured Cabling & Low Voltage
We don’t just do power; we connect your business to the world. We offer structured cabling services, including Cat6 ethernet drops, phone lines, and coaxial cabling to ensure your IT infrastructure is robust and organized.
Emergency & Exit Lighting
Code compliance is critical for business owners. We install, test, and repair emergency exit signs and backup lighting systems to ensure safe egress for your employees and customers during a power failure.
Insights into Your Home’s Electrical System
Knowledge is key, and it’s particularly valuable when it comes to your complex electrical system and all its outlets, wires, switches, fixtures, and diverse components that each have a distinct purpose. While Carter Electric is dedicated to ensuring your system’s tip-top condition, it’s still advisable to understand the electrical aspects of your home. Being acquainted with this information can increase your readiness as a homeowner and enhance the safety of your home.
Improve Your Home’s Self-Sufficiency
You’re probably fully reliant on SDGE (San Diego Gas & Electric), but have you thought about establishing an emergency plan for sudden outages or leveraging solar energy? Our local electricians in San Diego are prepared to help you make your home less reliant on traditional power and more resilient overall.Generators Running on propane or natural gas, standby generators are a dependable and efficient backup power option when emergency strikes. Whether it is a winter storm or a summer rolling blackout, a generator keeps your fridge running, your medical devices powered, and your lights on. We’ll carefully evaluate your budget and requirements (whole-home vs. essential circuits) while we help you select a generator that will best serve you. Recognizing the importance of your generator investment, we are committed to giving you thorough answers to all your questions regarding transfer switches, permitting, and maintenance.Solar Energy Integration Solar power may not have been on your home upgrade radar, but in sunny San Diego, it is a financial no-brainer. Your Carter Electric electrical contractor can detail why solar panels are such a responsible, environmentally-friendly, and affordable choice. Realize significant cost savings and reduce your carbon footprint by embracing solar power for your home. Your residential electrician is equipped to help you tap into solar energy so you can improve your self-reliance with a system perfectly suited to your needs.
The Importance of Knowing the Limits of Your System
Put Quality First While saving money is always appealing, opting for inexpensive electrical components can prove to be both hazardous and costly in the long run. Opting for poorly-made surge protectors, extension cords, switches, or outlets can result in an array of problems, ranging from damaged electronics to electrical fires. Cheap components often lack the internal safeguards required to handle heat and resistance. It is essential to choose high-quality electrical parts installed by a licensed electrician who understands load calculations.Avoid Circuit Overload In cases of circuit overload, the circuit breaker is designed to trip. This is a safety mechanism—it cuts power before the wire melts. However, if this occurs frequently, it is a sign that your electrical habits exceed your system’s capacity. Plugging a space heater, a hair dryer, and a vacuum into the same circuit is a recipe for a tripped breaker. Communicate with us to discuss potential system upgrades for increasing the maximum load or installing dedicated circuits.Personal Safety & DIY Dangers Reach out to Carter Electric when you want the most reputable local electricians in San Diego. You can endanger yourself, your loved ones, and your home when you attempt to do electrical work without the proper education—particularly if you don’t know all about your electrical wiring or if you forget to turn the circuit off at the breaker box. Electricity is unforgiving; there is no “undo” button. Trust the professionals who understand code requirements, wire gauge ampacity, and grounding principles.
Routine Maintenance & Inspections
Your go-to residential and commercial electrician encourages routine inspections and maintenance. Coastal environments like San Diego (especially in areas like Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Carlsbad) can cause accelerated corrosion in outdoor panels and outlets due to salt air. This “green crust” on copper wires increases resistance and can lead to overheating. Our dedicated team will perform a meticulous assessment, address developing issues, carry out necessary repairs, and maintain the optimal functionality of your electrical system.
Detailed Breakdown: Devices & Circuits
Your home is filled with electronic devices, the majority of which run on electricity. Understanding how they connect can help you troubleshoot issues before calling a pro.
Dedicated Circuits
To introduce a heavy-duty appliance—such as a space heater, clothing dryer, water heater, HVAC unit, or a hot tub—into your home seamlessly, individualized circuits are a necessity. These appliances draw too much power to share a circuit with your lights or TV. Carter Electric can install these dedicated lines to ensure safety and code compliance. For example, a modern microwave needs its own 20-amp circuit, separate from the toaster and fridge.
Multiple Device Circuits (General Purpose)
The act of resetting a circuit breaker following the sudden loss of outlet power or lights in a room might have already introduced you to the concept of a multiple device circuit. These circuits supply power to many switches, fixtures, and outlets within a general area, such as a living room or bedroom. These are typically 15-amp circuits designed for low-draw items like lamps, phone chargers, and televisions.
Outlets (Receptacles)
Your living or working space likely has electrical outlets at every turn. Let’s explore the various types of electrical outlets to further sharpen your system awareness.15-Amp, 125-Volt (Standard): This kind of outlet is the most widespread type in both homes and offices. Two types can be identified: grounded (three-prong) and ungrounded (two-prong). Ungrounded outlets are common in older San Diego homes built before the 1960s and are less safe as they provide no path for stray current to escape. If you still have two-prong outlets, consult Carter Electric for an upgrade.20-Amp, 125-Volt (High Capacity): The unique design of these outlets is characterized by a small, horizontal slot specifically stemming from one vertical slot (looking like a T). Engineered to handle substantial power loads, these are the preferred choice for kitchens, garages, and workshops where power tools or high-draw appliances are used.250-Volt (Heavy Duty): These unique outlets are specifically designed for high-voltage appliances such as clothing dryers, electric ranges, and Level 2 EV chargers. The pin configuration varies based on amperage (30-amp vs 50-amp).Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): To mitigate danger from power surges in locations with water vulnerability, outlets with an automatic shut-off are indispensable. These are required by San Diego building codes in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outdoor spaces. They monitor current balance and trip in milliseconds if a “leak” (shock hazard) is detected.Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI): AFCI outlets act as a protective barrier against arcing—a situation caused by faulty wiring or loose connections that leads to sparks. While GFCIs prevent shock, AFCIs prevent fires. They are now required in most living areas, including bedrooms and living rooms, in newer construction.USB & Smart Outlets: Upgrade your home with USB outlets to do away with charging blocks, or install smart outlets that connect to Wi-Fi, allowing you to control devices via your smartphone or voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
Wiring Types and Safety
Within the walls of both residential and commercial spaces, concealed metallic or non-metallic wiring travels through conduits crafted from plastic or metal. While you can’t watch it operate, wiring is the invisible force driving power throughout your property.Romex (NM Cable): The standard for modern residential wiring, featuring a PVC sheath protecting copper conductors.Aluminum Wiring (1960s-70s): If your home was built between 1956 and 1972, it may have aluminum wiring. These wires are now considered unsafe due to their physical properties (they expand and contract more than copper), leading to loose connections and fire risks. Copper pigtailing or complete rewiring is recommended.Knob-and-Tube (Pre-1950s): Common in San Diego’s historic districts. This wiring uses ceramic knobs to secure wire and tubes to pass through studs. It has no ground wire and the insulation often crumbles with age. We strongly recommend replacement for safety and insurance purposes.
Switches and Dimmers
Your home is full of switches that distribute power, and modern technology has expanded their capabilities significantly.Motion-Sensor: Use motion sensor switches to increase safety in dimly lit areas such as driveways, home entryways, pantries, and staircases. They also save energy by ensuring lights aren’t left on accidentally.Three-Way & Four-Way: Commonly found at the ends of hallways or staircases, these switches provide multi-point control for a single fixture.Smart Switches: Take command of the lighting in your living space with smart switches and specialized apps. You can set schedules (e.g., porch lights on at sunset) or “vacation modes” that randomize lighting to make the home look occupied.Dimmer Switches: Effortlessly adjust the brightness of your overhead lighting to create ambiance. Note: When using LED bulbs, ensure you have LED-compatible dimmers to prevent flickering or buzzing.Disconnect Switches: Usually found near the electric meter or AC unit. These switches empower your electrician to cut off power for significant repairs or emergencies.
Electric Meter and System Connection
The power supply for the majority of residences in the United States is derived from mains owned by the local power company (typically SDGE in our area). These mains connect to an electric meter that is also owned by your electricity provider.Smart Meters: Featuring digital interfaces, smart meters allow for remote reading and meticulous measurement of your household power consumption. They communicate directly with the utility, allowing for time-of-use billing.Bi-Directional: Those with solar panels installed at home will find a bi-directional meter to be quite practical. They excel at tracking both incoming power (from the grid) and the surplus energy you provide back to the utility company (Net Metering).
Breaker Panels
The distribution of power to the many devices, appliances, switches, outlets, and lights in your home is handled by breaker panels, also known as breaker boxes or service panels.Main Circuit Breaker: At the helm of your household electrical system, the main circuit breaker serves as the captain. It controls the total amperage entering the home (typically 100A or 200A). Turning this switch off results in a complete power outage for your entire house.Branch Circuit Breakers: These individual switches protect specific circuits. Double-pole breakers protect 240V circuits (dryers, AC), while Single-pole breakers protect standard 120V lighting and outlet circuits.Sub-Panels: Sub-panels are commonly employed to deliver power to an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), backup generator, detached garage, or a recent home addition where the main panel is too far away or full.
Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ)
In an effort to provide the best service to our community, we have compiled answers to the questions we hear most often. This section helps you understand why we are the top choice for San Diego electrical services.
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost in San Diego?
The cost of an electrical panel upgrade in San Diego typically ranges depending on the amperage and complexity of the installation. A standard upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps usually involves a new meter socket, grounding system upgrade, and permitting fees. While prices vary based on site conditions (such as stucco repair or relocation needs), upgrading is a crucial investment for adding solar, EV chargers, or A/C. Contact Carter Electric for a precise, transparent quote tailored to your home.
Do I need a permit for electrical work in San Diego?
Yes, most significant electrical work requires a permit from the City of San Diego or San Diego County. This includes main panel upgrades, adding new circuits, installing EV chargers, and rewiring projects. Minor repairs like replacing a switch or outlet generally do not require a permit. Carter Electric handles the entire permitting process for our clients, ensuring all work is code-compliant and passes final inspection.
Why do my lights flicker when the AC turns on?
Lights flickering when a large appliance like an Air Conditioner or vacuum turns on usually indicates a voltage drop. This happens because the appliance draws a massive surge of power to start, momentarily starving other circuits. If this happens frequently, it may suggest that your electrical panel is overloaded, your service wire is too small, or you have loose connections in your wiring. We recommend a professional diagnostic to rule out fire hazards.
Can I install an EV charger in an older home?
Yes, you can install an EV charger in an older home, but it often requires a service panel upgrade. Older homes with 60-amp or 100-amp panels may not have enough spare capacity to handle the continuous 30-50 amp load of a Level 2 electric vehicle charger. Carter Electric can perform a “load calculation” to determine if your current system can support the charger or if an upgrade is necessary.
What is the difference between GFCI and AFCI outlets?
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) serve different safety purposes. A GFCIprevents electric shock by cutting power if it detects electricity flowing through water or a person (common in bathrooms/kitchens). An AFCI prevents electrical fires by detecting dangerous sparking or arcing within the walls caused by damaged wires. Modern code often requires both types of protection in varying areas of the home.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
Aluminum wiring, commonly used in homes built between the mid-1960s and early 1970s, is considered a potential fire hazard. Unlike copper, aluminum expands and contracts significantly with heat, which can cause connections to loosen over time, leading to overheating and sparking. If your home has aluminum wiring, it does not necessarily need to be ripped out, but it should be inspected and retrofitted with specialized connectors (purple wire nuts or AlumiConn lugs) to ensure safety.
How often should I test my smoke detectors?
You should test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly by pressing the “test” button. However, the batteries should be changed annually, and the entire unit should be replaced every 10 years. Dust and debris can clog the sensors over time, rendering them ineffective. If your detectors are hardwired, we can help replace the entire interconnected system to ensure maximum safety.
What should I do if my circuit breaker keeps tripping?
If a breaker trips repeatedly, it is telling you something is wrong. Do not simply keep resetting it. It could be a result of a short circuit (hot wire touching neutral/ground), a ground fault, or a circuit overload (too many devices plugged in). Unplug devices on that circuit and try to reset it. If it trips immediately again, you likely have a short circuit or a faulty breaker. Call a licensed electrician to diagnose the issue safely.
Ready to Upgrade Your Home?
Electrical work is not a hobby—it’s a vital infrastructure that keeps your home running and your family safe. Whether you need a simple outlet repair, a Tesla charger installation, or a complete heavy-up of your electrical service, Carter Electric is the team San Diego electricians trust.Contact Carter Electric Today We are ready to listen to your needs and provide a solution that fits your budget and timeline. Call us at (858) 278-7878Your Trusted San Diego Electrical Contractor