---
title: "Panel Upgrade in Southlake: Who Disconnects the Oncor Meter?"
description: "Planning a panel upgrade in Oncor territory near Southlake? See who handles the meter, why you should never pull it yourself, and what the city may inspect."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/panel-upgrade-oncor-meter-disconnect
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

# Panel Upgrade in Southlake: Who Disconnects the Oncor Meter?

Do not pull the electric meter yourself. Oncor says unauthorized disconnection of its meter can result in fees and tampering charges. For a temporary disconnect or reconnect, call Oncor at 888.313.6862. Your licensed electrician does the panel work, and your city may require an inspection before service is restored.

Panels and wiringPublished October 14, 20263 min read

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](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/service-drop))

Oncor

Electric meter

Oncor

[Weatherhead](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/southlake-electrical-permits). Your electrician can tell you whether your job needs a permit and an [electrical inspection](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/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:

1.  Get a written quote and plan from a licensed electrician.
2.  Ask who pulls the permit and who calls Oncor.
3.  Oncor handles any temporary disconnect of its meter at 888.313.6862.
4.  The licensed electrician replaces the panel and related equipment.
5.  The city inspects when it requires an inspection.
6.  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](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/load-calculation). It shows whether your service and panel fit your loads. Our guides on [electrical panels and service upgrades](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/electrical-panels-and-service-upgrades) and [electrical panel replacement](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/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](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/electrical-panel-repair-replacement) page. Call (817) 481-8606 or send a request through the [quote form](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact).

## 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

-   [Electrical inspection](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/electrical-inspection)
-   [Electrical panel](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/electrical-panel)
-   [Load calculation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/load-calculation)
-   [Service upgrade](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/service-upgrade)
-   [Main breaker](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/main-breaker)
-   [Service drop](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/service-drop)
-   [Transformer](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/transformer)
-   [Weatherhead](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/weatherhead)
-   [Meter base](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/meter-base)
-   [Oncor](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/oncor)

## Sources

1.  [Oncor: Residential](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/residential.html)
2.  [Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (meter base and inspection)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/when-the-storm-is-gone--customer-equipment--debris-and-more-.html)
3.  [Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (reconnect)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/when-the-storm-is-gone--customer-equipment--debris-and-more-.html)
4.  [Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (city inspection)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/when-the-storm-is-gone--customer-equipment--debris-and-more-.html)
5.  [Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (ownership)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/when-the-storm-is-gone--customer-equipment--debris-and-more-.html)
6.  [City of Southlake: Building Inspections](https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/111/Building-Inspections-Code-Enforcement)
7.  [TDLR: Electricians](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/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.

## Keep reading

-   [Electrical panels and service upgrades: what they are, when to act, and who does whatAn electrical panel splits the power that enters your home into separate circuits and protects each one with a breaker. Repair fits a failed part. Replacement fits an old, damaged, recalled or overloaded panel. A service upgrade raises the power your home can draw. A licensed electrician must do all three.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/electrical-panels-and-service-upgrades)
-   [Electrical Panel Replacement: When It Is Time, Why, and What the Job InvolvesAn electrical panel replacement swaps the box that feeds every circuit in your home. Homes get new panels for more capacity, damage, unsafe brands, or a remodel. A licensed electrician sizes the new panel, pulls any needed permit, arranges the utility disconnect, installs the panel, and passes inspection. Ask for a written quote.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/electrical-panel-replacement)
-   [After a North Texas Storm: Electrical Checks Before Power ReturnsAfter a storm in Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller, stay away from downed lines and call 911. Oncor says damaged equipment on your house, like the meter base or weatherhead, needs a licensed electrician before power can be restored. Do not touch wet panels or flooded outlets. Call an electrician for any damage.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/after-a-north-texas-storm-electrical-checks)
-   [Do You Need a Permit for Electrical Work in Southlake?In Southlake, call Building Inspections at (817) 748-8236 before electrical work to ask if it needs a permit. Contractors must register with the city, and permits and inspections run through the city's online system. State law also requires a license for most electrical work. Never guess; ask the city first.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/southlake-electrical-permits)
-   [Electrical Preventive Maintenance for Commercial Facilities: What to Inspect and Who Does WhatCommercial electrical preventive maintenance is a planned program of inspection, testing and repair that finds problems before they cause outages, fires or injuries. A good program covers panels, connections, lighting, GFCI devices and emergency lighting, keeps written records, and assigns clear roles to the owner, tenant and electrician.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/commercial-electrical-maintenance)
-   [Electrical problems and emergencies: what to do first, what to never touch and who to callFor fire, smoke, sparks or a downed power line, leave the area and call 911. For a utility outage, call your utility. For a breaker that keeps tripping, a dead outlet or a warm panel, stop using the circuit and call a licensed electrician. Never open a panel or touch a fallen wire.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/emergency-electrical-help)

TECL #21005 · Family owned since 1988

## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

[Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact)

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