Nexus Electrical Group is a licensed electrical contractor serving homeowners across Portland, from Sellwood and Eastmoreland to St. Johns, Multnomah Village, and the inner Eastside. We handle panel and service upgrades, knob-and-tube replacement, Level 2 EV chargers, SPAN smart panels, generators, surge protection, lighting design, and hot tub circuits. Call (971) 410-7073 to book an appointment. Oregon CCB #226988.

We're based in Beaverton and serve homeowners throughout Portland.

Why do so many Portland homes need electrical updates?

Portland has a lot of homes built before World War II, and that age shows up first in the wiring and the panel. In older houses it's common to find knob-and-tube wiring, fuse boxes, and services of 100 amps or less that were never meant to carry an EV charger, a heat pump, and an induction range at the same time. Insurers often flag knob-and-tube, and it tends to come up during a sale or a remodel.

What we do most for Portland homeowners:

Knob-and-tube in Portland homes

If your home was built before the 1940s, there's a fair chance some original knob-and-tube wiring is still in the walls or attic. We've written about it from a few angles:

If you're seeing flickering lights, warm outlets, or breakers that trip, our post on signs you need an electrical service upgrade in Portland is a good place to start.

Who issues electrical permits in Portland?

The City of Portland runs its own program. Portland Permitting & Development issues residential electrical permits, applied for online through the city's Development Hub PDX (DevHub). Residential electrical permits generally require rough-in, service (when applicable), and final inspections. The city's list of work that needs a permit includes replacing a service panel, changing a fuse box to breakers, and running new wiring.

We pull the permit and schedule the inspections as part of the job. If your address is outside city limits, in unincorporated Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas County, a different office handles it, and we'll sort that out.

PGE or Pacific Power?

Portland is split between two utilities. PGE serves most of Portland, including most of Southwest and Southeast, nearly all of Northwest, and a large part of North Portland. Pacific Power serves much of Northeast Portland and some downtown blocks. It matters for EV charger rebates and for scheduling a disconnect during a panel upgrade.

If you're a PGE customer, see our post on PGE's panel upgrade rebate for EV chargers. Pacific Power has its own program for income-qualified customers. Either way, you need to confirm your own eligibility directly with your utility. Nexus Electrical Group does not apply for, process, or guarantee rebates.

Portland electrical FAQ

Do I need a permit to replace my electrical panel in Portland?

Yes. The City of Portland lists replacing a service panel and changing a fuse box to breakers among the jobs that need a residential electrical permit. We pull it for you.

Does my older Portland home have knob-and-tube wiring?

If it was built before the 1940s and hasn't been fully rewired, it may. We can inspect the accessible areas, like the attic and basement, and tell you what we find.

Can I get an EV charger if my Portland house only has 100-amp service?

Often, yes. A load calculation shows whether there's room as is, whether load management or a smart panel could work, or whether you need a service upgrade. Our Level 2 EV charger guide for Portland covers the details.

Is my Portland home served by PGE or Pacific Power?

Most of Portland is PGE, but much of Northeast Portland is Pacific Power. Your bill will tell you, and it matters for rebates.

Do you work on homes outside Portland city limits?

Yes. We serve the Portland metro, including Beaverton, Milwaukie, and Clackamas.

Book a Portland electrician

Call (971) 410-7073 to book your appointment. To save $300, request your coupon through our partner, Qualified Electricians PDX, at nexuselectricalgroup.com/coupon. It arrives in 2 to 3 days, is valid for 90 days, and is limited to one per address per year.

Nexus Electrical Group · 3075 SW 185th, Beaverton, OR 97006 · (971) 410-7073 · Oregon CCB #226988