Gallen Electric has been doing this work in West Chester and across Chester County since 1985. That is 41 years of residential repairs, panel upgrades, whole-house rewiring, commercial electrical projects, EV charger installs, and generator hookups, all handled by licensed electricians who know this area and the homes in it. Our reputation is local, which means it matters to us. We show up on time, explain the work before we start, and leave the job cleaner than we found it. From a single dead outlet to a full service upgrade, we get to the bottom of the problem fast.
Honest quotes. Code-compliant work. Reliable power.
Keeping a home safe starts with the wiring behind the walls, and that has been the foundation of this business from the beginning. We opened our doors in 1985 as a locally owned and operated electrical contractor with a simple goal: do the work right, treat people fairly, and build a reputation one job at a time. Four decades later, that is still the business we run.
Over the years we have worked with homeowners, landlords, property managers, small business owners, and commercial clients across Chester County. Chester County has a diverse housing stock, from newer construction in Exton and Malvern to century-old homes in West Chester Borough and Coatesville where knob-and-tube wiring and undersized panels are still common finds. We have seen the full range, and we know what it takes to bring older electrical systems up to current code safely and without unnecessary work.
We are a local electrician homeowners rely on when something goes wrong and when they are planning ahead. Electrical safety inspections, grounding and bonding work, aluminum-wiring remediation, troubleshooting a mystery problem that has stumped other contractors, we handle it all. Your panel is in good hands with us.
Choosing the right electrical fix is easier than it sounds, especially when you have someone walking you through it. Here is what we handle day in and day out for homes and businesses throughout the West Chester area.
Flickering lights, dead outlets, a burning smell near a switch, breakers that trip and will not reset, power out in one room but fine in the rest of the house. These are the calls we take every day, and our first job is always to find the actual cause, not just reset the breaker and hope for the best.
During a service call we run through a full diagnostic to trace the problem to its source. If a GFCI outlet has failed or an AFCI breaker needs replacement, we handle that on the spot. If there is something more serious behind the wall, we tell you what we found and what it takes to fix it before any work begins. We make the fix and leave it tidy.
Many homes in Chester County are still running on panels that were installed decades ago, sized for a fraction of today's electrical load. If your breakers trip regularly, you are adding a major appliance, or you are planning a home addition, a panel upgrade is often the right next step.
We handle 200-amp panel upgrades, main panel replacements, subpanel installation, and service-entrance upgrades. Every job includes a load calculation to make sure the new panel is sized correctly for your home or building. The work is done to code, inspected, and documented.
Older West Chester-area homes with knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch circuits are not a niche for us. They are a significant part of what we do. Knob-and-tube replacement, aluminum-wiring remediation, and whole-house rewiring are jobs that require careful planning and real experience with the quirks of older construction.
When we rewire, we also bring grounding and bonding up to current standards and install arc-fault and ground-fault protection where code requires it. We also run dedicated circuits for major appliances, home additions, basement finishing projects, and attic conversions. Before we open a single wall, we walk you through what the job involves and what to expect, including timeline and cost.
Outlet and switch work covers a wide range: standard replacements, GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, weatherproof outlets for garages and outdoor spaces, USB outlets, and dimmer switches. We also install ceiling fans, light fixtures, recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, exterior security lighting, motion sensor lights, and landscape lighting.
These jobs are often straightforward, but they make a real difference in how a home functions and how safe it is. A missing GFCI outlet in the right location is a code issue and a safety issue. We handle the upgrade and make sure everything is wired correctly. Call us and we'll walk you through the fix.
Our electricians know the homes and wiring in this area, which matters when specialty installs are on the table. Older panels are a common starting point for any of these projects, and we always check capacity before committing to an install.
A Level 2 home EV charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit and, in many older Chester County homes, a panel capacity check before anything else. We assess what your panel can handle, run the dedicated circuit to where your charger will be mounted, and complete the installation cleanly. If a panel upgrade is needed first, we fold that conversation into the quote so there are no surprises later. Call for a quote and we will tell you exactly what your home needs.
When the power goes out in a storm, a properly wired transfer switch is what keeps your generator running safely and legally. We handle the wiring from the generator to the transfer switch, the connection to your panel, and any load calculations needed to make sure the system is set up correctly. We work strictly on the electrical side: circuits, transfer switches, and panel readiness. Call to schedule a site visit and we will walk you through the options.
A whole-home surge protector installs at the main panel and shields your appliances, electronics, and wiring from voltage spikes caused by storms and grid fluctuations. Chester County sees its share of summer thunderstorms, and a single surge event can damage equipment throughout the house. It is a straightforward install with lasting value.
You shouldn't have to chase an electrician for answers, and commercial clients especially cannot afford to wait. We work with property managers, business owners, office tenants, and retail operators throughout the West Chester area on electrical repairs, commercial panel upgrades, wiring for new tenant build-outs, commercial lighting installation, and general electrical maintenance.
Whether you manage a single commercial property or a portfolio of buildings, we communicate clearly about scope, timeline, and cost before work begins. We understand that downtime matters and that surprises on a job site are not acceptable. We back every wiring job with a workmanship guarantee and we stay available when questions come up after the work is done.
Scheduling an electrician shouldn't be complicated. Call us, describe what you are seeing or what you need, and we will work to get someone out as quickly as possible. Same-day availability depends on the current schedule, but we do our best to accommodate urgent calls and we offer after-hours service for genuine electrical emergencies.
On pricing: we give you a clear estimate before work starts. If anything changes once we are into the job, we tell you before we proceed. No surprise charges added at the end of the visit, no vague line items on the invoice. If you want to know what a repair or install typically involves cost-wise, call and we will give you an honest answer.
Call this morning. Powered this afternoon. That's how we work.
We are based in West Chester and serve customers throughout Chester County, including Exton, Downingtown, Malvern, Kennett Square, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Paoli, and Glen Mills. Chester County covers a wide range of neighborhoods, property types, and construction eras, and local knowledge makes a real difference when you are troubleshooting a 1920s row house or upgrading the panel in a newer commercial building.
If you are not sure whether you are in our service area, just call. Chances are we work in your neighborhood already.
We have been serving West Chester and the surrounding Chester County communities since 1985, which puts us at over 40 years in this area. That history means we have worked in homes and commercial buildings of nearly every era and configuration the region has to offer. The experience shows up in how quickly we assess a problem and how accurately we scope the work.
We work with homeowners, landlords, property managers, small business owners, and commercial tenants throughout the West Chester area. Residential jobs range from single-outlet repairs to full-home rewiring projects. On the commercial side, we handle panel upgrades, tenant build-outs, and general electrical maintenance for offices, retail spaces, and restaurants.
Our regular service area covers West Chester and the broader Chester County region, including Exton, Malvern, Downingtown, Coatesville, Kennett Square, Phoenixville, Paoli, Berwyn, and Glen Mills. We also work in the boroughs and townships throughout the county. If you are not sure whether you fall within our area, call us and we will let you know.
Yes, we back every wiring job with a workmanship guarantee. If something we installed or repaired does not hold up as it should, we stand behind the work. That commitment is part of how we have built our reputation in this community over more than four decades.
We start every service call with a thorough diagnostic before we quote or begin any work. That process traces the issue to its source rather than addressing only the visible symptom. If we find something beyond the original scope, we tell you before we do anything about it.
Electrical work that requires a permit gets one. We pull the required permits, complete the work to current code, and make sure inspections are scheduled where applicable. We also install GFCI and AFCI protection wherever code requires it, which matters especially in older Chester County homes where those protections were never part of the original build.
We have been doing this work in West Chester since 1985, and local knowledge genuinely matters on the job. Chester County has a wide range of housing ages and construction types, from newer builds in Exton and Malvern to century-old homes in West Chester Borough where knob-and-tube wiring is still a common find. We know what to look for and how to handle it. Our reputation is local, which means it matters to us.
For 41 years, Gallen Electric has been the electrician West Chester and Chester County residents and business owners call when the work needs to be done right. Licensed electricians handle every job. Pricing is clear and upfront. And we stand behind the work we do.
Whether you need a quick repair, a panel upgrade, an EV charger installed, or a full rewiring of an older home, we are ready to help. Call (484) 266-5495 to request an estimate or schedule a service call.
Honest quotes. Code-compliant work. Reliable power.
We handle electrical work of every size across West Chester and Chester County, from a single outlet that stopped working to a full service upgrade or whole-home rewire. The table below lays out what each service covers, who it fits best, and one practical thing worth knowing before you call. If you have questions about a specific job, call us and we will walk you through exactly what to expect.
| Service | What the Job Involves | Common Situations | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting Installation | recessed and LED fixtures, under-cabinet and accent lighting, security, motion, and flood lights, landscape and exterior lighting | homeowners upgrading interior lighting or adding outdoor security and curb appeal | Fixture placement matters as much as the fixture itself. We plan the layout before we start. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | fan and light kit wiring, ceiling box upgrades, new circuit runs when needed, replacement of existing fans | homeowners adding or replacing ceiling fans, especially where wiring is not already in place | An undersized ceiling box is a safety issue, not just a code issue. We upgrade it when the job calls for it. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker replacement, fuse panel assessment, circuit testing, AFCI and GFCI breaker installation | homeowners dealing with breakers that trip repeatedly or will not reset | A breaker that keeps tripping is telling you something. We find out what before replacing it. |
| Knob-and-Tube & Aluminum Rewiring | assessment of existing wiring condition, whole-home rewiring plans, aluminum connection remediation, electrical safety inspection before and after | owners of pre-1960s homes with knob-and-tube wiring or 1960s-1970s homes with aluminum branch circuits | Many insurers now require documentation or remediation before writing or renewing a policy on a home with either system. We assess what you have and explain your options clearly. |
| Basement & Sump-Pump Circuits | dedicated sump pump circuit installation, basement lighting and outlet wiring, GFCI protection in wet areas, circuit sizing for finished and unfinished basements | homeowners finishing a basement or adding a sump pump ahead of storm season | A sump pump on a shared circuit is a risk during a storm when the pump is working hardest. A dedicated circuit is the right call. |
| Backup Generator Installation | generator circuit and hookup, transfer switch installation, code-compliant backfeed protection, coordination with your generator equipment | homeowners who want reliable power during nor'easters, ice storms, or summer outages | A correctly installed transfer switch protects both your home and utility workers by preventing backfeed onto the grid. We handle the electrical side of the installation. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-level surge protector installation, protection at the service entrance, standalone installation or combined with a panel upgrade, coverage for appliances, electronics, and wiring | homeowners with sensitive electronics or anyone who has experienced storm-related power surges | A panel-level surge protector intercepts voltage spikes before they reach your devices. A power strip does not offer that level of protection. |
| Code-Correction Wiring | bringing existing wiring up to current code, GFCI and AFCI upgrades where required, grounding corrections, documentation for insurance or permit purposes | homeowners flagged during a home inspection or insurance review, or after a renovation permit | Code corrections are often required before a home sale closes or a policy is renewed. We document the work so you have what you need. |
| EV Charger Installation | 240-volt dedicated circuit installation, panel capacity check before installation, charger mounting and wiring, compatibility with all major EV charging equipment | EV owners who want Level 2 charging at home instead of a slow trickle from a standard outlet | A Level 2 charger charges most vehicles overnight. We start with a panel check to make sure your service can carry the added load before we run the circuit. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI and AFCI-protected receptacles, USB outlets and smart switches, dimmers and specialty switches, code-compliant placement in kitchens and baths | homeowners adding outlets, upgrading receptacles, or finishing a new space | Kitchen, bath, and outdoor outlets follow specific code requirements for circuit protection. We make sure every installation meets those standards. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp panel replacements, subpanel installations, load calculations before any work begins, service-entrance upgrades from the meter in | homes with 60-amp or 100-amp service, or any panel that has run out of room | An undersized panel costs money twice: once to install and again when it cannot support the load. We size it right the first time. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runs throughout the home, basement and garage wiring, home office and workshop circuits, code-compliant rough-in and finish work | homeowners adding space, finishing a basement, or building out a home office or workshop | Every new circuit we run is sized for the intended load, not just the minimum the code allows. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | dryer and electric range circuits, dishwasher and refrigerator circuits, sump pump and basement circuits, high-draw appliance hookups | homeowners adding a major appliance or replacing one that keeps tripping the existing circuit | A dedicated circuit protects both the appliance and the panel. Sharing circuits with high-draw equipment shortens the life of both. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | dead outlets and tripped breakers, flickering or dimming lights, burning smells and sparking receptacles, loose connections and failed circuits | any homeowner or business owner with an electrical problem that needs a diagnosis | We trace the issue to its source rather than treating the symptom, so the fix holds. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | grounding and bonding review, code-compliance check throughout the home, identification of wiring hazards, written summary of findings | buyers of older homes, homeowners after a renovation, or anyone whose system has not been reviewed in years | An inspection before purchasing an older Chester County home can surface wiring issues that would otherwise show up as surprises after closing. |
What are the signs that a home needs a panel or service upgrade?
The most common signs are breakers that trip regularly without an obvious cause, a panel that has no open slots for new circuits, lights that dim when a large appliance starts up, or a home still running on 60-amp or 100-amp service. Older homes throughout Chester County were built long before the electrical demands of a modern household existed. If you are adding an EV charger, a new appliance, or finishing a space, we run a load calculation first to confirm whether your current service can handle it.
Why does a breaker keep tripping even after I reset it?
A breaker that trips repeatedly is responding to a real condition: the circuit is drawing more current than it is rated for, or there is a fault somewhere in the wiring. Common causes include a failing appliance, a short circuit, a ground fault, or simply too many devices on a single circuit. Resetting the breaker without finding the cause does not fix the problem. We diagnose the circuit to find out what is actually going on before we recommend a repair.
Is electrical work permitted and inspected?
Work that requires a permit is pulled and inspected through the appropriate local authority. Licensed electricians on our team know which jobs require permits in Chester County and handle that process as part of the job. You do not need to navigate the permit process on your own. After inspection, you have documentation that the work was done to code, which matters for insurance and future home sales.
Same-Day Availability
For many calls, we can have a licensed electrician at your door the same day you call. Urgent situations get priority, and we keep you informed about timing from the moment you reach us.
How do I know if the wiring in an older home is still safe?
Wiring does not last forever, and older systems were not designed for modern loads. Knob-and-tube wiring, common in homes built before the 1950s, lacks a ground conductor and can become a fire risk as insulation degrades. Aluminum branch wiring, found in many homes from the 1960s and 1970s, creates hazards at connection points over time. An electrical safety inspection gives you a clear picture of what you have and what, if anything, needs attention. We explain what we find and walk you through the options before any work begins.
What does a home EV charger installation actually involve?
Installing a Level 2 home charger starts with a panel capacity check. A 240-volt dedicated circuit needs to be run from your panel to the garage or parking area, and your existing service has to be able to carry the added load. If the panel is already close to capacity, we talk through whether an upgrade makes sense before we proceed. We work with all major EV charging equipment and handle the full electrical installation from the panel to the mounted charger.
How does backup generator hookup work?
We handle the electrical side of generator installation: running the generator circuit, installing the transfer switch, and connecting everything to code. The transfer switch is the critical piece. It isolates your home from the utility grid when the generator is running, which protects both your home and utility workers from backfeed. Once the electrical work is complete, the generator is ready to do its job when the grid goes down.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
Chester County has some of the oldest residential housing stock in the country. We have worked in homes of every age and configuration, from knob-and-tube wiring in century-old houses to modern panel upgrades and EV charger installs in newer construction.
Do I need to be home when the electrician comes?
It is best if someone is home so we can ask questions, confirm the scope, and get your approval before work begins. Access to the electrical panel is typically required for most service calls. If you cannot be there, let us know when you call and we will talk through what arrangements make sense for your situation.
How does pricing work, and will the quote change after the work starts?
We give you a clear quote before any work begins. If something unexpected comes up once we are into the job, we tell you what we found and what it would cost to address it before we proceed. You will not see a charge added at the end of a visit without a prior conversation. Our goal is straightforward pricing with no surprises.
Workmanship We Stand Behind
We back every wiring project with a workmanship guarantee. The work should hold up long after we leave, and if something is not right, we make it right.
What does flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flickering tied to a specific appliance starting up is often a load issue on a shared circuit. Persistent flickering across multiple rooms, or dimming that happens without any obvious trigger, can point to a loose connection, a failing breaker, or a problem at the service entrance. These are not symptoms to ignore. We run a diagnostic to find the source rather than guessing.
Is it safe to have warm or buzzing outlets?
No. A warm outlet usually means a loose connection or an overloaded circuit, both of which create a fire risk. Buzzing from an outlet or switch can indicate arcing, which is a serious hazard. If you notice either, stop using the outlet and call us. These are not problems that get better on their own.
How long does a panel upgrade or whole-home rewire take?
A panel upgrade is typically a one-day job for most homes, though service-entrance work and inspection scheduling can add time. A whole-home rewire is a larger project and depends on the size of the home, the condition of the existing wiring, and how much access we have to walls and ceilings. We scope rewiring projects carefully before we start and give you a realistic timeline upfront so you can plan around the work.
Every electrical job is different, and the right answer depends on your home, your panel, and what you are trying to accomplish. Call us at (484) 266-5495 and we will give you a straight answer and a clear quote.
(484) 266-5495