If your Southlake home gets its power from Oncor, a panel upgrade involves two groups: your licensed electrician and the utility. Knowing who does what keeps the job on schedule and keeps you safe. This post covers the meter, the disconnect, and the city inspection step.
Who disconnects the meter for a panel upgrade?
Oncor handles its own meter. Oncor says to call 888.313.6862 to ask for a temporary disconnect or reconnect. It also warns that unauthorized disconnection of an Oncor meter can result in fees and additional charges for tampering.
So do not pull the meter, cut the seal, or ask a friend to. Your electrician plans the work with you. Ask them how they handle the meter base side and who calls Oncor.
What does Oncor own, and what do I own?
Oncor owns the poles, the lines, the service lines to your home, the transformers, and the electric meter. You own the equipment on your house. The table sorts the main parts.
| Part | Who owns it |
|---|---|
| Utility pole, transformer, overhead and underground lines | Oncor |
| Service line from the pole to your house (the service drop) | Oncor |
| Electric meter | Oncor |
| Weatherhead | You |
| Meter base | You |
| Wiring in and around your home, including your panel | You |
Oncor’s storm pages say the homeowner maintains items like the meter base and weatherhead. A panel upgrade touches your side of that line. It may also touch the meter base, so ask your electrician early whether Oncor needs to be involved.
Does the city have to inspect a panel upgrade?
It can. Oncor says some areas require a city inspection once the work is completed, before service can be restored, and it points to oncor.com/ci to check whether your community requires one. For a damaged meter base, Oncor says most city electric codes require a building code inspection before service can be restored.
For Southlake, the city says trade contractors with a state license must register with the City. Read more in our post on Southlake electrical permits. Your electrician can tell you whether your job needs a permit and an electrical inspection.
What are the usual steps?
The exact steps depend on your home, your city, and your electrician’s plan. This is a general order, not instructions for doing the work yourself:
- Get a written quote and plan from a licensed electrician.
- Ask who pulls the permit and who calls Oncor.
- Oncor handles any temporary disconnect of its meter at 888.313.6862.
- The licensed electrician replaces the panel and related equipment.
- The city inspects when it requires an inspection.
- Oncor reconnects service.
Never work inside a panel or on the service. Some parts on the utility side stay live even when your main breaker is off.
What should I ask my electrician before the work day?
Use these questions to avoid surprises:
- Who requests the Oncor disconnect and reconnect, and when?
- Does the city need to inspect before power comes back on?
- How long will the power be off, and what is the plan if the inspection slips?
- What parts of my service equipment, such as the meter base, will be replaced?
- Will I get a written quote that lists the scope?
A clear plan means you do not have to chase calls between the city, the utility, and the crew.
How do I know whether I need a bigger service, not just a new panel?
Ask for a load calculation. It shows whether your service and panel fit your loads. Our guides on electrical panels and service upgrades and electrical panel replacement explain the choices, and a service upgrade is the term for a larger service.
Texas law requires licensed people for non-exempt electrical work, per TDLR. Daniel Electric is family owned and operated, with Texas license TECL #21005, and serves Southlake and nearby cities. Free quotes on new installations.
Next step
Planning a panel upgrade? See our panel repair and replacement page. Call (817) 481-8606 or send a request through the quote form.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pull my own electric meter for a panel upgrade?
No. Oncor owns the meter. It says unauthorized disconnection of an Oncor meter can result in fees and additional charges for tampering. Call Oncor at 888.313.6862 to ask for a temporary disconnect or reconnect, and let your licensed electrician guide the job.
Who do I call to reconnect power after a panel upgrade?
Oncor lists 888.313.6862 for service requests, including a temporary disconnect or reconnect. In some areas a city inspection must pass first. Your electrician can tell you the steps for your city and who makes each call.
Does my city have to inspect the work before Oncor reconnects?
It can. Oncor says some areas require a city inspection once the work is completed, before service can be restored, and points to oncor.com/ci to check whether your community requires one. Check with your city and your electrician before work starts.
How long will the power be off during a panel upgrade?
We cannot give a set time. It depends on the home, the work, and whether Oncor must schedule a disconnect and reconnect. A written plan from your electrician should cover the steps and who calls whom. Ask for that plan before work starts.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Oncor: Residential
- Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (meter base and inspection)
- Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (reconnect)
- Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (city inspection)
- Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (ownership)
- City of Southlake: Building Inspections
- TDLR: Electricians
Written by Daniel Electric and checked against the sources above on October 14, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.
