Your Home Wired Right From Start

Arc Electric Inc provides residential electrical services throughout Butte, Montana for older homes, remodels, and new installations.

When outlets stop working in your Butte home or only half the lights come on after you flip a breaker, the problem usually traces back to worn connections, overloaded circuits, or aging wiring that no longer matches how you use power today. Homes built decades ago were not designed for the number of devices, appliances, and electronics most families now run at the same time, and older electrical systems show it.

Arc Electric Inc handles panel upgrades, breaker replacements, and full rewiring for homes in Butte that still have knob and tube wiring or outdated service panels. The work includes installing new outlets, repairing or replacing lighting and ceiling fans, adding circuits for kitchens and bathrooms, and upgrading electrical service to support modern loads. Every installation follows current code requirements and accounts for the construction styles common in the area, including older homes with plaster walls and limited access to existing wiring runs.

Schedule residential electrical service with a licensed local electrician in Butte to address wiring issues, upgrade your panel, or add the circuits your home actually needs.

What Changes After the Work is Finished

Your electrician will open the panel, trace the affected circuits, test for continuity and voltage drops, and replace any breakers or wiring showing signs of heat damage or corrosion. In Butte homes where original wiring has never been updated, this often means running new wire through walls, installing junction boxes that meet current standards, and labeling every circuit so you know exactly what each breaker controls.

After the service is complete, your outlets will hold plugs firmly, your lights will not flicker when the furnace kicks on, and your breakers will stop tripping under normal use. You will be able to plug in multiple devices without worrying whether the circuit can handle the load, and any new lighting or fans will operate on dedicated circuits sized correctly for the equipment.

The electrician will also explain which circuits were added, what changes were made to bring the system up to code, and whether your service panel has room for future expansion. If your home still has fuses or a panel that cannot accommodate additional breakers, a full panel upgrade may be part of the scope, and that work includes coordinating a temporary power shutoff with the utility and installing a new main breaker and panel box rated for the amperage your home requires.

Questions Homeowners Ask Before Scheduling

Homeowners in older properties often want to know whether their wiring needs full replacement or just targeted repairs, how long the work takes, and what signs indicate a panel upgrade is necessary rather than optional.

What does a panel upgrade include?
A panel upgrade replaces your existing breaker box with a larger panel rated for higher amperage, installs a new main breaker, and updates all circuit connections to meet current code. The utility will disconnect power temporarily while the new panel is installed and reconnected.
How do I know if my home has knob and tube wiring?
You will see ceramic knobs mounted to framing members in your basement or attic with individual wires running between them, rather than modern cables with multiple conductors inside a plastic or metal sheath. Most insurance companies require this wiring to be replaced before issuing or renewing a policy.
Why do some outlets work while others on the same wall do not?
Outlets on the same wall may be on different circuits, or a loose connection at one outlet can interrupt power to others downstream on the same circuit. Your electrician will test each outlet, trace the circuit path, and tighten or replace any failing connections.
How long does rewiring a room take?
Rewiring a single room in a Butte home typically takes one to two days depending on wall access, the number of outlets and switches, and whether new circuits need to be run back to the panel. Homes with plaster walls or limited attic access take longer because wire paths must be fished carefully to avoid damage.
When is a service upgrade required?
A service upgrade is required when your home still has a 60-amp or 100-amp panel and you are adding major appliances, electric heating, or a garage subpanel that will exceed the existing capacity. The upgrade includes a new meter base, service cable, and panel sized to handle the total load.

Arc Electric Inc works on residential properties throughout Butte and the surrounding area, including homes with older wiring systems that need careful evaluation before any new circuits are added. If your breakers trip frequently, your outlets feel loose, or you are planning a remodel that will add electrical load, get in touch to schedule an inspection and receive a detailed estimate based on the actual conditions in your home.