G. E. Shears Electric handles electrical work across Arcadia for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and commercial clients. From a single dead outlet to a full-building rewire, we take the call and get the job done. We are open around the clock, every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. Quick response. Code-correct work. Tidy finish.
Whether you need a breaker panel replaced, new circuits added for a kitchen remodel, or a safety inspection before a real estate closing, we cover it. No pressure and no gimmicks, just safe, solid wiring. Call (626) 929-3282 for a quote.
For homeowners and property managers alike, the electrical needs in a property do not follow a schedule. We work with single-family homeowners, landlords, HOAs, condo and duplex owners, multi-family buildings, retail spaces, offices, restaurants, and warehouses. If it has wiring and a breaker panel, we can handle the work.
Every job on this list is carried out by licensed electricians. That matters whether you are managing one rental unit or a commercial building with multiple tenants. We'll get your lights back on fast.
We've handled everything from a flickering light to a full rewire, and the diagnostic step is always the same: find the fault before touching anything else. Electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics tell us whether a dead outlet is a tripped breaker, a failed device, a wiring fault, or something deeper in the panel.
Common repair calls include dead or sparking outlets, a burning smell near a receptacle, lights that flicker under load, breakers that trip repeatedly, and sections of the house with no power at all. We also install GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas, and upgrade to AFCI breakers where code requires them. Both are safety upgrades that protect people and property, not just boxes to check.
Same-day service is often available for urgent calls. We trace the fault. We fix the wiring. We restore the power.
Wiring work is checked against code before sign-off.
A properly wired home is a safer home, and the panel is where that starts. Older homes in Arcadia sometimes still carry undersized panels or outdated fuse boxes that cannot safely handle the electrical loads of a modern household. Appliances, EV chargers, and home office equipment all draw more power than the wiring from a previous era was built to carry.
We handle circuit breaker repair and replacement, full panel replacements, 200-amp service upgrades, fuse box conversions to breaker panels, subpanel installation, and meter base replacement. Before any panel upgrade is sized, we run a load calculation to make sure the new service fits the actual demand of the home or building.
A straightforward choice for homeowners and property managers who need the job done right and the paperwork handled. Let us handle the panel and the permits.
Keeping a home safe starts with the wiring behind the walls, and in a neighborhood with older housing stock, that wiring sometimes needs attention. We perform whole-house rewiring for homes that still carry knob-and-tube or aluminum branch-circuit wiring. Both present real risks when left in service under modern loads, and replacement brings the home up to current code. Grounding and bonding work often goes hand in hand with older-home rewiring.
We also install dedicated circuits for dryers, ranges, refrigerators, hot tubs, and other major appliances that need their own protected circuit. Remodel and addition work is a regular part of what we do. Kitchen remodels, bathroom updates, home additions, and new construction all require a licensed electrician to run circuits, pull permits, and coordinate inspections.
Permit work is handled as part of the job. Call today and we'll set the appointment.
Whether this is your first repair or your tenth, a lighting upgrade is one of the fastest ways to change how a space looks and functions. We install recessed and LED lighting throughout homes and commercial spaces, replace outdated fixtures, and wire ceiling fans in bedrooms, living rooms, and covered patios.
Outdoor lighting is just as important as indoor. We wire landscape lighting, security lighting, motion sensor lights, patio lights, and outdoor kitchen circuits. Inside, we handle dimmer switch installation, smart switch wiring, under-cabinet lighting, and USB outlet installation for kitchens and home offices.
We also install hardwired smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Code requires them in specific locations, and hardwired units with battery backup are more reliable than standalone devices. We place them correctly and wire them to communicate with each other.
Southern California's year-round sun drives strong EV adoption and widespread rooftop solar across Los Angeles County. The inland valleys, including the Arcadia area, run genuinely hot in summer, which puts real load on electrical systems. At the same time, wildfire-season public-safety power shutoffs have made grid reliability a practical concern for households and businesses alike. The three services below reflect what comes up most often here.
We are accountable to the community we work in.
A Level 2 home EV charger runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit and charges a vehicle overnight rather than over several days. We assess the panel's available capacity, run the dedicated circuit to the garage or parking area, and install the outlet or hardwired connection the charger requires. If the panel needs an upgrade to support the added load, we handle that as part of the same project. California's EV adoption rate is among the highest in the country, and demand for this work in Arcadia reflects that.
Our scope here is the electrical infrastructure that makes solar and battery systems work: wiring for solar-ready panels, circuits for battery backup systems, transfer switch installation, and the panel or subpanel work needed to carry the added load. We do not install solar panels or battery units themselves. What we do is make sure the electrical side of the system is wired correctly, sized for the load, and ready for inspection. In an area with as much sun as the San Gabriel Valley, and with utility outages a real seasonal concern, having the electrical groundwork done right matters.
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel level and shields the entire house in a single step. It protects appliances, electronics, HVAC circuits, and EV chargers from voltage spikes caused by grid events, equipment switching, and wildfire-related outages. Southern California's grid sees real stress during peak summer demand and during public-safety shutoff events, and the voltage irregularities that follow can damage equipment quietly over time. No pressure and no gimmicks, just safe, solid wiring at the panel where protection does the most good.
For homeowners and property managers alike, an electrical inspection is a practical tool, not just a formality. We conduct home electrical inspections, pre-purchase assessments for buyers and sellers, inspections for real estate transactions, rental property inspections for landlords, and code compliance reviews for insurance purposes.
In Arcadia, where a significant portion of the housing stock was built in earlier decades, an inspection often turns up panel issues, outdated wiring, or missing GFCI protection that the current owner may not know about. Catching those issues before a sale closes or a tenant moves in is far less expensive than addressing them after the fact. We'll get your lights back on fast, and we will get the inspection report in your hands so you know exactly what you are working with.
Pricing is explained before anything is scheduled. When you call, you get the rate for the job on the phone. Whether you are asking about the cost of an outlet repair, a panel upgrade, an EV charger installation, or a generator hookup circuit, we give you a clear answer before we set the appointment.
We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nights, weekends, and holidays are covered. Same-day appointments are often available for urgent calls. We do not promise a specific arrival window on this page, but we confirm the details when you call.
Arcadia is our primary service area, and we work throughout the city for homeowners, landlords, and businesses. We also cover the communities around it, including Monrovia, Duarte, Temple City, San Gabriel, El Monte, Rosemead, Sierra Madre, and Pasadena. If you are in Los Angeles County and need a licensed electrician, call and we will confirm coverage for your address.
Common signs include breakers that trip frequently, a panel that feels warm to the touch, a fuse box still in service, lights that dim when a large appliance starts, or a home that has added major loads (an EV charger, a kitchen remodel, a home addition) without a corresponding panel upgrade. A 100-amp service struggling to carry a modern household load is a reliable indicator that a 200-amp upgrade is overdue. We run a load calculation before sizing any panel replacement so the new service fits the actual demand.
Flickering lights under load, outlets that feel warm, a burning smell near receptacles, frequently tripping breakers, and outlets with no ground slot are all signs worth investigating. In Arcadia's older housing stock, knob-and-tube wiring and aluminum branch-circuit wiring are both common findings that carry real risks under modern electrical loads. An inspection is the right way to find out what is actually in the walls.
A burning smell from an outlet or panel, visible sparking, a breaker that will not reset, a section of the house with no power after a storm, or any situation where you suspect the wiring is actively creating a hazard qualifies as an emergency. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights and holidays, so you do not have to wait until morning to get someone on the job.
GFCI protection is required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoor areas, crawl spaces, and other locations near water. AFCI protection is required in bedrooms, living rooms, and most habitable spaces in new construction and major renovations under current California electrical code. Both types of protection are safety upgrades that reduce the risk of shock and electrical fire, and both are part of the work we do on a regular basis.
An outlet that does not power a device, feels warm to the touch, shows discoloration or scorch marks, or makes a buzzing or crackling sound has a problem that needs to be addressed. A warm or discolored outlet is particularly urgent because it can indicate a wiring fault or a loose connection that generates heat inside the wall. Stop using the outlet and call us so we can trace the fault.
For most repair and installation work, the circuit being worked on is de-energized before the electrician touches it. For panel work, the main breaker is typically shut off for the duration of the panel replacement or upgrade. We let you know in advance what to expect so you can plan around any temporary outage.
Every circuit and device is tested after the work is complete. Outlets are checked for proper voltage and polarity. GFCI and AFCI devices are tested for correct trip function. Panel work is verified against the load calculation and checked for proper breaker seating and labeling. The job is not closed until everything is confirmed working and checked against code.
A quick repair addresses a specific fault: a failed outlet, a tripped breaker, a bad switch. A rewire replaces the wiring throughout a home or a section of it, typically because the original wiring is outdated, undersized, or unsafe. The decision between the two depends on what the diagnostic finds. If the wiring is fundamentally sound and the fault is isolated, a repair is the right call. If the wiring is knob-and-tube or aluminum branch-circuit throughout, a rewire is the safer long-term answer.
An undersized or aging panel limits every circuit it feeds. It cannot safely carry the load a modern household demands, which means breakers trip under normal use, circuits share loads they were not designed to share, and there is no room to add new circuits for EV chargers, appliances, or home additions. A fuse box introduces additional risk because fuses can be replaced with the wrong amperage, removing the protection the device was designed to provide.
Work that is not done to code has to be redone when it is discovered during an inspection or a sale. Wiring that is undersized for the load it carries degrades faster and creates heat inside the wall. Skipping a permit means the work is not inspected, which leaves faults undetected and can create liability for the property owner. Wiring work checked against code before sign-off is the standard we hold on every job because it is the cheaper path over the full life of the property.
A home electrical inspection covers the panel, the wiring visible in accessible areas, the devices (outlets, switches, fixtures), the grounding and bonding system, and GFCI and AFCI protection. In older Arcadia homes, we also look for knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, undersized panels, missing grounds, and protection gaps that were never addressed. The inspection report tells you what is out of code, what is a safety concern, and what is aging but functional.
Outdoor wiring requires weatherproof materials, proper conduit where the run is exposed, and outdoor-rated devices and fixtures. We run circuits for landscape lighting, security lighting, patio outlets, outdoor kitchen circuits, and EV chargers installed in driveways or detached garages. Permit requirements for exterior work depend on the scope and the jurisdiction, and we handle that as part of the job.
G. E. Shears Electric covers repairs, panel upgrades, wiring, lighting, EV charger circuits, and safety inspections across Arcadia and the surrounding area. Pick the date. We do the wiring. We clean up after.
Call (626) 929-3282 for a quote. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Below is a plain-language look at the electrical work we handle across Arcadia and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley communities. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and one practical thing worth knowing before you call. If a job you need is not listed here, call us and we will tell you whether it falls within our scope.
| Service | Scope of Work | Common Situations | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit, 240-volt dedicated run, panel capacity assessment, garage and driveway installation | Arcadia homeowners who have purchased or are planning to purchase an electric vehicle | California's EV adoption rate is among the highest in the country, and demand for this work in the San Gabriel Valley reflects that. If the panel needs an upgrade to support the charger, we handle both in one visit. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | dryer and range circuits, refrigerator and dishwasher circuits, hot tub and spa circuits, workshop and garage circuits | homeowners adding a major appliance, a hot tub, or workshop equipment that needs its own protected circuit | Sharing a circuit between a major appliance and other loads is a common cause of nuisance tripping and wiring wear. A dedicated circuit eliminates both. |
| Hot-Tub Circuits | 240-volt dedicated circuit, disconnect installation, GFCI protection for spa equipment, outdoor conduit and weatherproof wiring | homeowners installing a hot tub or spa who need the electrical side permitted and inspected correctly | Hot tub wiring requires a dedicated circuit, a disconnect within sight of the unit, and GFCI protection. Code requirements for this work are specific and we handle the permit as part of the job. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp service upgrades, full panel replacement, fuse-to-breaker conversion, subpanel installation | older homes adding EV chargers, appliances, or remodel circuits that the existing panel cannot safely carry | We run a load calculation before sizing the replacement so the new service fits the actual demand of the home, not just a round number. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-level surge device installation, protection for appliances and electronics, HVAC and EV charger circuit protection, wildfire outage voltage spike coverage | Arcadia households with sensitive electronics, EV chargers, or concerns about grid instability during peak summer and public-safety shutoff events | A panel-level surge protector shields the entire house in one step. It catches voltage spikes from grid events and equipment switching before they reach your devices. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runs, remodel and addition wiring, grounding and bonding, permit and inspection coordination | kitchen remodels, home additions, and any project that requires new circuits or updated wiring to pass inspection | Permit work is handled as part of the job. The circuit does not go into service until it passes inspection. |
| Standby Battery for Outages | battery backup circuit wiring, critical load panel setup, transfer switch installation, coordination with battery system specs | Arcadia households that need power for critical loads during public-safety shutoff events or grid outages | Southern California's grid sees real stress during peak summer demand and wildfire-season shutoff events. We wire the electrical infrastructure so a battery system can carry the loads that matter most when grid power is unavailable. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | fan and wiring installation, ceiling box upgrade for fan weight, switch and remote wiring, covered patio fan circuits | bedrooms, living rooms, and covered patios where a fan improves comfort without adding to the cooling load | A standard ceiling box is not rated for a fan's weight and movement. We install the correct rated box before the fan goes up. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker replacement, fuse box assessment, tripped breaker diagnosis, panel interior inspection | homes with breakers that trip repeatedly or a fuse box still in service | A breaker that keeps tripping is telling you something. We find out whether the breaker itself is the problem or whether the circuit is simply overloaded. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | dead outlets and switches, flickering or dimming lights, burning smells near receptacles, circuit fault diagnosis | any homeowner or property manager with an electrical problem that needs a fast answer | We find the fault before touching anything else. A proper diagnostic prevents a repair that only masks a deeper wiring issue. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI outlet installation, AFCI breaker upgrades, USB outlet installation, dimmer and smart switch wiring | homeowners updating kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or outdoor areas to current code | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. Installing it correctly means the device trips when it should and not when it should not. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | knob-and-tube removal and replacement, aluminum branch-circuit rewiring, grounding system upgrades, code compliance for older wiring | Arcadia homes with original or early-era wiring that cannot safely carry modern electrical loads | Knob-and-tube and aluminum branch-circuit wiring are both common findings in the San Gabriel Valley's older housing stock. Replacement brings the home to current code and removes risks that older wiring carries under modern loads. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | pre-purchase and pre-sale assessments, rental property inspections, code compliance reviews, panel and wiring condition reports | buyers, sellers, landlords, and property managers who need a clear picture of a property's electrical condition before a transaction or tenant move-in | In Arcadia's older housing stock, inspections regularly turn up panel issues, missing GFCI protection, and outdated wiring the current owner was not aware of. Catching those items before closing is far less expensive than addressing them after. |
| Solar & Battery Backup | solar-ready panel wiring, battery backup circuits, transfer switch installation, subpanel work for added load | homeowners preparing for solar or battery storage who need the electrical infrastructure done correctly before installation day | We handle the electrical side: wiring, transfer switches, and panel work. We do not install solar panels or battery units themselves. What we deliver is a system that is wired correctly and ready for inspection. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed and LED lighting, outdoor and security lighting, under-cabinet lighting, motion sensor and landscape lighting | homeowners updating a space or adding exterior lighting for security and curb appeal | Outdoor wiring in Southern California needs weatherproof materials and proper conduit on exposed runs. We spec the right materials for the location. |
How do I know if my home is ready for added electrical load, like an EV charger or a new appliance?
The answer starts with a load calculation. We look at the panel's rated capacity, what circuits are already in service, and what the new equipment will draw. If the panel has room, we run the circuit. If it does not, we size a panel upgrade alongside the new circuit so everything is handled in one project. Guessing at available capacity is how panels get overloaded, and we do not do that.
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly, and when does it need to be replaced?
A breaker trips for one of three reasons: the circuit is carrying more load than it was designed for, there is a fault somewhere in the wiring or a connected device, or the breaker itself has worn out and is tripping below its rated threshold. We find out which one it is before recommending a fix. A breaker that trips under normal load on a properly sized circuit is a breaker that needs to be replaced. A breaker that trips because the circuit is shared between too many loads is a wiring problem, not a breaker problem.
Is the work permitted and inspected, and does that affect the timeline?
Permit requirements depend on the scope of the job and the jurisdiction. For panel upgrades, rewires, new circuit runs, EV charger installations, and other significant work, permits are typically required and we handle that as part of the job. The permit process adds a step, but it also means the work is inspected by the local authority before it goes into service. That inspection protects you as the property owner. We let you know up front whether a permit applies to your job.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians on Every Call
Every job we schedule is carried out by licensed electricians. That applies to a single outlet repair and to a full panel upgrade. The person who shows up is qualified to do the work correctly and to code.
What does flickering or dimming lights actually mean?
Lights that flicker or dim when a large appliance starts are usually telling you that the circuit or the panel is struggling with the load. It can mean a loose connection, an undersized circuit, or a panel that does not have enough capacity to handle simultaneous demands without voltage dropping. Occasional dimming when a refrigerator compressor kicks on is common. Consistent dimming or flickering under normal use is worth a diagnostic call, because the underlying cause tends to get worse rather than better.
What are the risks of aluminum branch-circuit wiring or knob-and-tube wiring in an older home?
Both types of wiring were installed to the standards of their era, but both carry real risks when left in service under modern electrical loads. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring expands and contracts with heat cycles, which can loosen connections at outlets and switches over time and create fire risk at those points. Knob-and-tube wiring lacks a ground conductor, cannot be covered with insulation safely, and was not designed for the loads a modern household draws. An inspection tells you what is actually in the walls. Replacement brings the home to current code and removes the risk.
When should I call an electrician instead of trying to fix something myself?
Replacing a light bulb or resetting a tripped breaker is straightforward. Anything beyond that carries real risk if the wiring behind it is not in the condition you expect. Replacing an outlet, adding a circuit, working inside a panel, or troubleshooting a fault that keeps coming back are all jobs where a licensed electrician finds the actual problem rather than the surface symptom. Electrical work done incorrectly can create hazards that are not visible until something fails. The cost of a service call is considerably less than the cost of a wiring fault that causes damage.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Wiring work is checked against code before sign-off. We handle permits where they apply and coordinate inspections so the work is on record and the property owner is protected.
How does grounding and bonding work, and why does it matter in an older home?
Grounding gives fault current a safe path back to the source so a breaker can trip and interrupt the circuit. Bonding ties metal components together so they stay at the same voltage potential and do not create a shock hazard between surfaces. Older homes often have wiring that pre-dates modern grounding requirements, which means outlets with no ground slot and systems with bonding gaps. We address both as part of rewiring work, and we check for both during an electrical inspection.
How long does a panel upgrade or a full rewire typically take?
A panel upgrade is usually a single-day job. The main breaker is off for the duration of the panel work, and power is restored before the electrician leaves. A full rewire takes longer and depends on the size of the home, the accessibility of the existing wiring, and whether walls need to be opened. We give you a realistic timeline before the work starts so you can plan around any temporary outage. We do not leave a job with the power off and a return visit unscheduled.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
Arcadia's housing stock spans several decades, and the electrical challenges in an older home are different from those in a newer one. We work with both and know what to look for in each.
What surge protection does a whole-home device actually provide, and is it different from a power strip?
A power strip with a built-in surge protector handles small voltage spikes at the device level. A panel-level whole-home surge protector intercepts large spikes before they reach any circuit in the house. The two work best together. Southern California's grid sees voltage irregularities during peak summer demand and during public-safety shutoff events, and those spikes can damage appliances, electronics, and EV chargers quietly over time, without a visible failure event. A panel-level device is the most efficient way to protect everything in the house in a single installation.
What is involved in wiring the electrical side of a solar or battery backup system?
The electrical infrastructure for a solar or battery system includes the wiring between the system components and the panel, a transfer switch or automatic transfer relay, and any panel or subpanel work needed to carry the added load. We handle that scope. We do not install solar panels or battery units themselves. What we deliver is a correctly wired electrical system that is sized for the load and ready for inspection. In an area with as much sun as the San Gabriel Valley, and with grid reliability a real seasonal concern, having the electrical groundwork done correctly matters.
What is the difference between a 100-amp and a 200-amp service, and how do I know which one my home needs?
A 100-amp service was the standard for homes built in earlier decades and is adequate for a modest electrical load. A modern household with central air conditioning, an electric range, a dryer, an EV charger, and a home office routinely exceeds what a 100-amp service can safely carry. A 200-amp service provides the capacity for those loads plus room to add circuits as needs change. We run a load calculation to determine what the home actually draws before recommending a service size, so the upgrade fits the real demand rather than a default assumption.
Call (626) 929-3282 and we will walk through your job, give you a clear rate, and set the appointment on your schedule.
(626) 929-3282