Toronto Hydro Service Upgrade: What Happens (and Who Does What)

A service upgrade involves four parties: you, your licensed electrical contractor, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and Toronto Hydro. This Guide walks through each role in general terms. Electro Group Ltd. serves Toronto and the GTA. For a planned assessment, request a free quote.

Service Upgrade vs Panel Replacement

A service upgrade increases the electrical supply coming into the home from the utility. A panel replacement swaps the panel and may keep the same service size. Not every panel job is a service upgrade.

Toronto Hydro notes that upgrades are typically requested when a home's existing service no longer meets its needs, for example before adding an EV charging system, a heat pump or other large equipment. For sizing questions, see 100 Amp vs 200 Amp Service: What Toronto Homeowners Need to Know and Do You Need a Panel Upgrade for an EV Charger in Toronto?. Older fuse panels are covered in Why Replace a Fuse Box with a Breaker Panel in Ontario.

Who Does What

You (the homeowner)

• Decide what you want to add or change, and share those plans with your electrician.
• Work with Toronto Hydro as the customer. Toronto Hydro's process has the customer submit the service upgrade request, and it may need consent from the Toronto Hydro account owner.
• Keep the property, and especially the path to and in front of the meter, clear and accessible when Toronto Hydro asks for it.
• Handle any Toronto Hydro charges directly with Toronto Hydro. Its standard charges are listed on torontohydro.com.

Your licensed electrician

Toronto Hydro recommends consulting a Licensed Electrical Contractor before starting any electrical work. On a service upgrade, the electrician:

• Assesses your existing service, panel and planned loads.
• Helps put together the electrical details Toronto Hydro asks for, such as the proposed electrical drawing and load calculations.
• Takes out the ESA permit (Notification of Work) and completes the electrical installation on your side.
• Arranges the ESA inspection when the work is ready.

We take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection. We coordinate with Toronto Hydro and take care of the electrical side. Toronto Hydro's own steps stay with Toronto Hydro.

ESA

ESA oversees electrical safety in Ontario. After the electrical installation is done, Toronto Hydro requires an ESA safety inspection. You or your contractor can request it through esasafe.com. Toronto Hydro waits for ESA connection authorization before it moves to its final step. For a similar permit walk-through, see Do You Need an ESA Permit for an EV Charger in Ontario?

Toronto Hydro

• Receives and reviews the service upgrade request, then contacts you about the project details.
• Completes its design work and gives you a job quote or offer to connect.
• Only Toronto Hydro can disconnect or reconnect its service. Where a temporary disconnection is needed, it is arranged with Toronto Hydro (an "isolation" request).
• Once it has ESA connection authorization, Toronto Hydro does its own final site inspection against its Conditions of Service. Then it schedules and completes the upgrade or reconnection.

Toronto Hydro states that it may change any part of its process at its discretion, and that it cannot guarantee specific dates. Check torontohydro.com for the current steps.

The General Sequence

1. Plan. A licensed electrician assesses the home and the loads you plan to add.
2. Request. A service upgrade request goes to Toronto Hydro with the documents it asks for.
3. Review and offer. Toronto Hydro reviews the project and provides its quote or offer to connect.
4. Permit and electrical work. The electrician takes out the ESA permit and completes the electrical installation.
5. ESA inspection. The work is inspected, and ESA provides connection authorization.
6. Toronto Hydro final inspection and connection. Toronto Hydro inspects, then disconnects, upgrades and reconnects as its process requires.

Every project is different. We do not promise durations, because several steps belong to ESA and Toronto Hydro, not to us.

Never DIY the Service

Do not open the panel or meter base, and do not try to disconnect service yourself. Toronto Hydro says only it can temporarily or permanently disconnect services. Electrical work belongs to a licensed electrical contractor with an ESA permit.

Electro Group Ltd. holds ESA Licence #7017939.

Next Steps

Planning a service upgrade in Toronto or the GTA?

• Request a free quote
• See our panel upgrade page
• Call 289-814-7241

Tell us your city, property type and what you plan to add. We'll assess your service and panel, explain the electrical scope, take out the ESA permit and coordinate with Toronto Hydro.

Electro Group Ltd. · Toronto and the GTA · 289-814-7241 · ESA Licence #7017939

FAQ

Who submits the service upgrade request to Toronto Hydro?
Toronto Hydro's process has the customer submit the request. Your electrician helps with the electrical details it asks for, such as drawings and load calculations.

Does Electro Group disconnect and reconnect my power?
No. Only Toronto Hydro can disconnect or reconnect its service. We coordinate with Toronto Hydro and take care of the electrical work on your side.

Who handles the ESA permit?
We do. We take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection.

When does Toronto Hydro reconnect after the upgrade?
After it receives ESA connection authorization and completes its own final inspection. Toronto Hydro sets its own schedule, so we do not promise dates.

How much does Toronto Hydro charge?
Toronto Hydro's charges are set by Toronto Hydro and paid to them. See its standard service charges on torontohydro.com. For the electrical work, request a free quote.

Is every panel upgrade a service upgrade?
No. Some panel replacements keep the same service size. See 100 amp vs 200 amp service.