Salem Electrician | Licensed, Locally Owned & Operated Since 2016

Our expert electricians follow industry standards and safety codes on every project, whether we are replacing a Federal Pacific panel or installing LED lighting in a historic home. Here’s what you can expect from the team at Mr. Electric.

Electrical Safety Inspections

An electrical inspection gives you a clear picture of your home's electrical system. We check your panel for signs of overheating and corrosion, test GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, inspect grounding and bonding, inspect emergency devices, including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and identify electrical hazards such as loose connections, exposed wiring, and outdated breakers. You receive a written report of every finding.

Oregon adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code on October 1, 2023, with state-specific amendments effective January 1, 2026. Under the current Oregon electrical code, GFCI protection is required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, and all outdoor outlets. AFCI protection is required in bedrooms, living areas, and dining rooms, with Oregon-specific exemptions for hallways and laundry areas. If your home was built before these requirements, you are not required to retrofit unless you do major electrical work. Knowing what your system lacks helps you make informed decisions about electrical safety.

We offer complimentary electrical home safety checks for Salem homeowners. Schedule one before a home sale, after purchasing an older property, or any time you want a professional assessment of your electrical system.

Electrical Panel Upgrades and Panel Replacement

Most Salem homes built before 2000 have 100-amp electrical panels. That service level was adequate for the appliances of the 1970s and 1980s. Today, your HVAC system alone draws 15 to 50 amps, depending on the unit. Add a modern kitchen, a home office with multiple computers, an EV charging station, central air conditioning, and a 100-amp panel, and the 100-amp panel quickly reaches its limit. The result is tripped breakers, voltage drops that flicker your lights, and heat buildup at connection points that degrades wiring insulation over time.

A 200-amp panel upgrade resolves the capacity problem. The process requires a permit from the City of Salem Permit Application Center at 440 Church St SE or from Marion County Building Inspection, depending on your address. Most electrical panel upgrades require three inspections: rough-in, service, and final. We handle the permit application, schedule each inspection, and coordinate the work so your power is off for only a few hours. Most panel replacements finish in one day.

If your home has a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panel, replacement is urgent. These panels have documented failure rates and have been linked to residential fires by electrical engineers and fire investigators. They do not trip reliably under overload conditions, which means the protection they appear to offer does not function as designed. We replace them with modern panels that meet current NEC standards and Oregon electrical codes.

Electrical panel repairs are also available for panels that are otherwise sound but have failing breakers, loose bus connections, or corroded terminals. We diagnose the issue before recommending repair or replacement.

Electrical Repairs and Electrical Diagnostics

Electrical problems do not resolve themselves. A flickering light indicates a loose connection at the fixture, the switch, or the panel. That loose connection creates resistance. Resistance generates heat. Heat degrades wire insulation. Degraded insulation leads to arcing. Arcing starts fires. What reads as a nuisance on Monday becomes a fire hazard by Friday if left unaddressed.

We perform electrical diagnostics to find the source of the problem before we quote the repair. Common electrical repairs in Salem homes include outlet repair and outlet replacement for dead or damaged receptacles, light switch failures, circuit breaker installation for breakers that trip without cause or fail to reset, and wiring repairs for circuits showing signs of damage or overheating.

Outlet replacement is one of the most frequent service calls we receive. Standard 15-amp and 20-amp outlets wear out over time. Tamper-proof outlets, also called tamper-resistant receptacles, are required by Oregon code in all new construction and in renovated areas accessible to children. GFCI outlet replacement is required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets. USB outlets and 240-volt outlets for large appliances are available as upgrades. We carry common outlet types on our service vehicles and complete most outlet installation calls the same day.

If your home has knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch circuit wiring, we assess the condition and explain your options. Knob-and-tube wiring is not inherently dangerous if it has not been modified, covered with insulation, or overloaded. Aluminum wiring from the 1960s and 1970s requires specific connection methods and devices rated for aluminum conductors. We give you the facts so you can decide what makes sense for your home and your budget.

Electrical Installations and Electrical Upgrades

New electrical installations require permits and inspections under Oregon law. We handle the permit application for every project and explain the inspection process before work begins. Common installation and upgrade work we complete in Salem includes:

• Dedicated circuit installation for kitchen appliances, water heaters, HVAC systems, EV chargers, hot tubs, pools, and outdoor kitchens
• Outlet installation and outdoor outlet installation for patios, garages, and exterior buildings
• Circuit breaker installation and subpanel installation for homes adding a significant electrical load
• Dimmer switches and smart lighting controls
• Whole-house surge protection to guard electronics from utility fluctuations and lightning
• Smoke detector installation and carbon monoxide detector installation to meet the current Oregon code
• Wiring for home remodels, room additions, and new construction electrical work
• Power to shed, detached garage, and accessory dwelling unit wiring

For commercial and industrial properties, we provide system design, new construction electrical work, core-and-shell electrical work, and ongoing electrical service for businesses throughout the Salem Metro Service Areas.

EV Charger Installation in Salem

Oregon registered more than 90,000 electric vehicles as of 2024, and Salem's share continues to grow. A Level 2 EV charging station at home can fully charge most electric vehicles overnight and requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit rated at 40 to 50 amps. A standard 120-volt outlet charges at roughly 4 to 5 miles of range per hour. A Level 2 charger delivers 20 to 30 miles of range per hour, a difference that matters when you need a full charge before your morning commute.

Before we install EV chargers, we assess your electrical system. If your panel is a 100-amp service already near capacity, we will discuss a panel upgrade as part of the project. If your panel has room, we run the dedicated circuit, install the EVSE unit, pull the required permit, and schedule the final inspection. The full process typically takes one to two days, depending on panel conditions and permit approval times from the City of Salem or Marion County.

We install hardwired and plug-in Level 2 EV chargers from major manufacturers. We also advise on Oregon's EV rebate programs through Energy Trust of Oregon, which can offset part of your installation cost.

Backup Generator Installation

Salem sits in the Willamette Valley, where winter storms regularly knock out power for hours or days. A whole-home backup generator keeps your furnace, refrigerator, medical equipment, and lights running when the grid goes down. A whole-house emergency backup generator starts automatically within seconds of a power outage and runs on natural gas or propane, so you do not need to store fuel or manually start the unit.

Generator installation involves more than placing a unit outside. You need a transfer switch or an automatic transfer switch that disconnects your home from the utility line before the generator powers your circuits. Oregon code and Portland General Electric's interconnection requirements mandate this step to protect utility workers from backfeed. You also need a dedicated fuel connection and a concrete pad or approved mounting surface.

We size the generator to your home's electrical load, install the transfer switch, connect the fuel supply, test the system under load, and arrange the required inspections. Whole-home backup generators and whole-house emergency backup generators are available in a range of sizes from 7 kilowatts for essential circuits to 22 kilowatts and above for full-home coverage.

Lighting Installation and LED Lighting Upgrades

Lighting installation is one of the most visible electrical upgrades you can make. We handle lighting design installation for kitchens, living areas, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces. Services include:

• Recessed can lights and LED can light installation
• LED lighting and LED upgrades for existing fixtures
• Under-cabinet lighting and accent lighting
• Light fixture installation and light fixture replacement
• Dimmer switches for compatible LED fixtures
• Outdoor lighting, patio lighting, and pathway lighting for gardens and walkways
• Motion sensor and occupancy sensor installation
• Holiday lights installation for residential and commercial properties

LED lighting uses 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 15 to 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. For Salem homeowners replacing aging fixtures, LED upgrades reduce energy costs and eliminate frequent bulb replacements in hard-to-reach locations, such as high ceilings and outdoor light fixtures.

Holiday lights installation is available for residential and commercial properties. We install, connect, and take down seasonal lighting so you do not have to manage the process yourself. All outdoor connections are GFCI-protected and rated for exterior use.

Smart Home Electrical Integration

Smart home devices require a solid electrical foundation. Smart thermostats, video doorbells, smart lighting controls, and whole-home audio systems need dedicated circuits, proper grounding, and neutral wires at switch locations. Many older Salem homes lack neutral wires at switch boxes, which prevents the installation of standard smart switches. We assess your wiring before recommending devices and install the circuits and devices correctly so everything works as intended.

New Construction Electrical Work and Home Remodels

New construction electrical work requires a licensed electrician for all phases from rough-in through final inspection. We provide system design, rough-in wiring, panel installation, and final trim-out for new construction in Salem and Marion County. For home remodels, we coordinate with your general contractor to complete electrical work within the project timeline and ensure all new work meets the current Oregon electrical code.

Your panel needs attention if breakers trip repeatedly without a clear cause, lights dim when large appliances start, your panel feels warm to the touch, you smell a burning odor near the electrical panel, or you plan to add a high-demand load like an EV charging station, central air conditioning, or a hot tub. Most Salem homes built before 2000 have 100-amp service panels. A 100-amp panel supports roughly 19,000 watts of continuous load. A modern home with electric heat, a 50-amp EV charger, a central air conditioner, and standard kitchen appliances regularly exceeds that threshold. A 200-amp panel upgrade provides 38,000 watts of capacity and room for future electrical upgrades. Panel replacement in Salem requires a permit and three inspections. Most jobs finish in one day.

Expert Tip: If your home has a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panel, schedule an inspection now, regardless of whether you notice symptoms. These panels have documented failure rates and do not meet current NEC standards.

If you smell burning plastic or see smoke near an outlet, switch, or panel, turn off power at the main breaker immediately and call 911 if there is any sign of fire. Do not touch the panel if you hear buzzing, crackling, or popping sounds. If a circuit trips and will not reset, leave it off and call a licensed electrician before resetting it again. If an outlet produces electrical shocks when you plug in a device, stop using it and do not attempt to repair it yourself. We respond to emergency calls in Salem and throughout Marion County. For any electrical issue that poses an immediate safety risk, call us directly. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment.

Tip: Know where your main breaker is before an emergency happens. In most Salem homes, it is a large double-pole breaker at the top of the main panel. Turning it off cuts power to every circuit in the house.

Yes. Salem's historic neighborhoods, including Grant, Lafayette Street, Court-Chemeketa, and Fairmount Hills, contain homes built between 1900 and 1940. Nearly all homes in the Grant neighborhood, the city's first designated Heritage Neighborhood, date from this period. These homes frequently have knob-and-tube wiring, cloth-insulated conductors, 60-amp or 100-amp panels, two-prong ungrounded outlets, and no GFCI or AFCI protection. Oregon does not require you to upgrade your electrical system simply because your home is old. Upgrades are required when you do major renovations or add circuits. Understanding what your home has helps you make informed decisions about electrical safety. We inspect older homes, document what we find, and explain your options without pressure.

Knob-and-tube wiring is not automatically unsafe, but it becomes dangerous when covered with insulation, spliced with modern wire using improper connectors, or overloaded with circuits it was not designed to carry. An electrical inspection tells you which situation applies to your home.

Installing a Level 2 EV charging station at your Salem home requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit rated at 40 to 50 amps, a permit from the City of Salem or Marion County, and a final inspection before the charger goes into service. The process starts with an assessment of your electrical panel. If your panel is already a 100-amp service carrying a significant load, we calculate whether a panel upgrade is needed before adding the circuit. If your panel has capacity, we run the dedicated circuit, mount the EVSE unit in your garage or on an exterior wall, pull the permit, and schedule the inspection. Most EV charger installations are complete in one day. Oregon's Energy Trust offers rebates for qualifying EV charger installations. We can provide documentation to support your rebate application.

A 50-amp circuit with a 40-amp continuous load rating is the standard for Level 2 EV charger installation. This size supports all current Level 2 chargers and leaves room for higher-output chargers as vehicle technology advances.

GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. A GFCI outlet or breaker monitors current flow and trips within milliseconds when electricity finds an unintended path to ground, such as through water or a person. GFCI protection prevents electrical shocks. Oregon code requires GFCI protection at all kitchen receptacles, bathrooms, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and outdoor outlets. AFCI stands for arc fault circuit interrupter.

An AFCI breaker detects the electrical signature of arcing caused by damaged, loose, or deteriorating wiring and trips the circuit before the arc generates enough heat to ignite surrounding materials. AFCI protection prevents electrical fires. Oregon requires AFCI protection on circuits serving bedrooms, living areas, and dining rooms, with state-specific exemptions for hallways, kitchens, and laundry areas. Homes built before these requirements took effect are not required to retrofit, but adding this protection significantly reduces fire and shock risk.

Tip: If your home has older wiring and you are adding circuits during a renovation, Oregon code requires that new circuits in covered locations include AFCI protection. This is an opportunity to improve safety in the areas you are already working on.

We provide upfront, flat-rate pricing before any work begins, so you know the exact cost before you say yes. The cost of an electrical panel upgrade depends on the size of the new panel, whether a service entrance upgrade is needed, the number of circuits being transferred, permit fees, and inspection scheduling. We do not quote electrical work by the hour, and we do not add fees after the job starts without first discussing the change with you. Request a service appointment online or call us to discuss your project. We assess your panel and provide a written price for the complete job.

Expert Tip: If you are planning to add an EV charger, a hot tub, or central air conditioning within the next few years, discuss it when you schedule your panel assessment. Sizing the new panel for your future load in one project costs significantly less than upgrading again later.

We provide commercial electrical services for offices, retail spaces, restaurants, warehouses, and industrial properties throughout the Salem Metro Service Areas. Commercial electrical work includes new construction electrical work and core and shell electrical installations, tenant improvement wiring, lighting design installation and LED lighting upgrades, dedicated circuit installation for commercial equipment, electrical panel installation and subpanel work, EV charging stations for commercial parking areas, outdoor outlet installation, and ongoing electrical diagnostics and repairs. We follow the same safety procedures and NEC standards on commercial jobs as we do on residential projects. Contact us to discuss your commercial electrical project and schedule a site assessment.

Oregon requires a licensed electrical contractor for all commercial electrical work. Unlicensed electrical work on a commercial property voids insurance coverage and creates liability exposure for the property owner.

Yes. Oregon law requires working smoke detectors on every level of a home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Carbon monoxide detectors are required in homes with attached garages or fuel-burning appliances. Hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup are required in new construction and in homes undergoing significant renovation. We install hardwired smoke detectors, interconnected smoke detector systems that sound all units when one triggers, and carbon monoxide detectors. We also perform electrical inspections of emergency devices to verify that existing detectors function correctly and meet current Oregon requirements. If your detectors are more than 10 years old, replacement is recommended, regardless of whether they appear to be working. Interconnected smoke detectors are significantly more effective than standalone units in larger homes. When one detector triggers, all detectors in the home sound simultaneously, giving occupants in distant rooms more time to respond.

Yes. Running power to a shed, detached garage, or accessory structure requires a permit and follows specific Oregon code requirements for underground or overhead wiring methods. Underground circuits must use conduit or direct-burial cable at the required depth, typically 24 inches in most residential applications. Overhead wiring must clear walkways and driveways at the heights specified in the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code. The circuit size depends on what you plan to power.

A basic lighting and outlet circuit for a garden shed differs from a circuit serving a woodworking shop with 240-volt equipment. We assess your needs, design the circuit, pull the permit, install the wiring, and schedule the required inspections.

If you plan to use the shed or garage as a workshop, tell us before we design the circuit. A 60-amp or 100-amp subpanel in the outbuilding gives you flexibility to add circuits later without returning to the main panel each time.

We serve Salem and the surrounding Salem Metro service areas, including Keizer, Silverton, Stayton, Aumsville, Woodburn, Jefferson, Monmouth, Independence, and Amity throughout Marion County. We also serve residential customers in Salem neighborhoods, including Grant, Lafayette Street, Court-Chemeketa, Fairmount Hills, South Salem, West Salem, and Northeast Salem. We serve commercial and industrial properties throughout the Marion County metro area. If you are outside these areas, call us to confirm availability. We are a locally owned franchise committed to serving our community.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise^® is a workmanship guarantee that covers every job Mr. Electric of Salem completes. If the work is not done right, we return and make it right at no additional cost to you. This applies to parts and labor. It is not subject to fine print or conditions that make it difficult to use. If you are not satisfied with the result of any electrical service we provide, call us. We respond and resolve the issue. This guarantee reflects the standard we hold ourselves to on every job and is one reason Salem homeowners and businesses continue to call us for their electrical needs.

Schedule your electrical service appointment or request a complimentary home electrical safety check online or by phone. Our Salem electricians are ready to help.