Every home's wiring tells a different story, and most of the time that story starts with something small: a dead outlet in the kitchen, lights that flicker when the AC kicks on, or a breaker that trips every time you run the microwave. These are not just nuisances. They are signs that something in the system needs attention.
We diagnose and repair the full range of common electrical problems. Dead outlets, loose connections, worn switches, and dimmer malfunctions are all routine calls for our team. We also replace faulty circuit breakers, install GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and garages, and upgrade older switches to modern dimmers or smart controls. Where we find arc-fault or ground-fault hazards, we address them with AFCI and GFCI breakers that meet current California code requirements.
Good troubleshooting means finding the real cause, not just the symptom. We take the time to trace a problem to its source before we start replacing parts. That is the kind of electrical work neighbors pass along by word of mouth.
Call and we'll handle the lights, outlets, and panel.
A properly wired home is a safer home, and the breaker panel sits at the center of all of it. An undersized or aging panel cannot safely carry the loads that modern homes demand. If your panel is still running on 100 amps, has a fuse box instead of breakers, or shows signs of heat damage or corrosion, an upgrade is worth scheduling sooner rather than later.
We handle 200-amp panel upgrades, main panel replacements, and subpanel installations for both residential and commercial properties. When a project calls for it, we perform load calculations to make sure the new panel is properly sized for your actual usage. We also coordinate service-entrance and meter work as part of a full service upgrade.
Dedicated circuits are part of this conversation too. Dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and 240V appliances all benefit from a circuit sized specifically for that load. We stand behind every circuit we touch, from the panel to the receptacle.
We show up ready to work.
From older homes to new commercial builds, the wiring inside the walls determines whether a property is safe, functional, and up to current code. Northridge has a mix of housing stock, including homes built in the 1950s and 1960s that may still have knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch-circuit wiring. Both present real safety concerns and can affect homeowners insurance coverage.
We perform whole-home rewiring, knob-and-tube replacement, and aluminum-wiring remediation. For remodels and additions, we handle electrical rough-in work from the ground up, running new circuits, installing junction boxes, and making sure grounding and bonding meet California standards. Kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, and home additions all require careful circuit planning, and we work with homeowners and contractors to get it right.
New construction wiring and commercial wiring projects are also part of what we do. If you are building out an office, retail space, or multi-unit property, we can take the project from rough-in through final trim.
Call today and we'll set the appointment.
When the power goes out, you realize just how much of your daily routine depends on reliable lighting. When everything is working, good lighting still shapes how a space looks and feels. We install and replace the full range of residential and commercial lighting fixtures.
Recessed LED lighting, pendant lights, chandeliers, under-cabinet lighting, and bathroom exhaust fan wiring are all regular jobs for our team. We also handle ceiling fan installation and replacement, including fans with integrated lighting kits and remote controls. Outdoor and landscape lighting, security lighting, and commercial lighting installation round out the list.
Whether you are upgrading a single fixture or relighting an entire floor plan, the work gets done cleanly and to code. We show up ready to work.
Los Angeles County's mild, dry climate keeps heating and cooling loads moderate, but it brings its own electrical demands. Southern California leads the country in EV adoption, rooftop solar is everywhere, and wildfire-season public-safety power shutoffs have made grid reliability a real concern for homeowners across the region. The three services below reflect what Northridge residents and property owners are actually asking for right now.
Level 2 EV charger installation is one of the most common calls we get in this part of the San Fernando Valley. Southern California has more electric vehicles per household than almost anywhere else in the country, and a standard 120V outlet simply cannot keep up with daily driving demands. We install the dedicated 240V circuit, run the wiring to your garage or driveway, and confirm that your panel has the capacity to carry the load. If a panel upgrade is needed to support the new circuit, we handle that as part of the same project. Work is performed by licensed electricians familiar with the permit requirements in Los Angeles County.
Rooftop solar is common throughout Northridge, and battery backup systems have become a practical response to the utility shutoffs that come with fire-season grid management. On the electrical side, that means running the circuits that connect a battery or solar system to your home's panel, installing a transfer switch where needed, and making sure the panel has the capacity to handle the added load. We do not install or service the solar panels or battery units themselves. Our work is the wiring, the circuits, and the panel work that makes the system function safely and legally.
Grid fluctuations, wildfire-season utility events, and the sheer density of high-value electronics in the average Northridge home make whole-home surge protection a smart investment. A surge protector installed at the panel shields every circuit in the house from voltage spikes that can damage appliances, home theater equipment, computers, and smart-home devices. Same-day electrical service is available for surge protection installs, and the job pairs naturally with a panel upgrade if you are already having panel work done.
A properly wired home is a safer home, and the same principle applies to every commercial property we work on. We serve homeowners, landlords, property managers, and business owners across Northridge and the wider San Fernando Valley. On the residential side, that covers everything from smart switch and outlet installation to smoke detector wiring, carbon monoxide detector installation, and smart home circuit planning. On the commercial side, we handle office and retail electrical work, commercial panel upgrades, commercial wiring for tenant improvements, and new construction electrical from rough-in through final inspection.
Being local means we are easy to reach and easy to work with. When a property manager needs a unit turned around quickly or a business owner has a wiring problem that cannot wait, we respond like neighbors, not a distant dispatch queue.
Call and we'll handle the lights, outlets, and panel.
An electrical safety inspection gives you a clear picture of where a system stands. We perform inspections for homeowners who want peace of mind, buyers who need an honest assessment before closing, landlords preparing a unit for new tenants, and property managers keeping up with code compliance.
During an inspection, we look at the panel, the branch circuits, the grounding and bonding, outlet and switch condition, and any visible wiring concerns. If we find something that needs attention, we explain what it is and what it would take to correct it. An inspection often becomes the starting point for a panel upgrade or partial rewiring, but there is no obligation to proceed. The goal is accurate information so you can make a good decision.
Call today and we'll set the appointment.
We are based in Northridge and work throughout the western San Fernando Valley. Reseda, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Winnetka, Granada Hills, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills are all areas we cover regularly. If you are in the surrounding neighborhoods and need a local electrician who knows the area, we are a short drive away.
Same-day electrical service is available throughout our service area, and we take after-hours calls when the situation calls for it. Pick the date. We do the wiring. We clean up after.
We handle the full range of residential and commercial electrical work, including repairs, breaker panel upgrades, outlet and switch installation, wiring and rewiring, lighting, ceiling fans, EV charger installation, whole-home surge protection, and electrical safety inspections. We serve homeowners, landlords, property managers, and business owners throughout Northridge and the surrounding San Fernando Valley communities. If it involves electricity, give us a call and we will let you know what the job involves and what it will cost.
Getting a quote starts with a phone call to (818) 369-3955. We ask about the work you need, give you a straight answer about what is involved, and schedule a time that works for you. There are no complicated steps and no waiting weeks for a callback.
Yes, same-day electrical service is available for urgent needs throughout Northridge and the surrounding communities. Call (818) 369-3955 early in the day for the best chance at a same-day appointment. We also take after-hours calls when the situation genuinely cannot wait.
Stop using the outlet or circuit immediately and do not plug anything else into it. If the panel itself is sparking or you smell burning, shut off the main breaker if it is safe to do so and call us right away at (818) 369-3955. These are signs of a potentially serious fault that should not sit unaddressed.
We do. On the residential side we work with homeowners and landlords on everything from a single outlet repair to a full rewiring. On the commercial side we handle office, retail, and light commercial electrical work including panel upgrades, circuit additions, and tenant improvement wiring.
Yes, and it is some of the most common work we do in this area. Northridge has a significant number of homes built in the mid-twentieth century, and some of them still have knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch-circuit wiring, or panels that were never sized for today's electrical loads. We handle whole-home rewiring, targeted remediation, and panel upgrades to bring these systems up to current California code.
Yes, we schedule appointments seven days a week. If weekday appointments are difficult because of work or other commitments, call (818) 369-3955 and we will find a Saturday or Sunday time that works.
When you call, we discuss the problem and give you a sense of what the job is likely to involve. We arrive at the scheduled time, diagnose the issue before starting any work, and explain what we found and what it will cost to fix. Work begins once you have approved the scope, and we clean up before we leave.
The main factors are the scope of the work, the condition of the existing wiring, and whether the job requires permits or panel work beyond the original request. If something unexpected comes up once we are into the job, we explain it before we proceed. You know what you are paying for before any additional work begins.
Yes. Being local means we are easy to reach and easy to work with. When you call (818) 369-3955, you are talking to someone familiar with Northridge, the housing stock in the San Fernando Valley, and the permit requirements in Los Angeles County.
J-Masters Electric has been doing this work in Northridge since 1990. Repairs, panel upgrades, wiring, lighting, EV charger installation, whole-home surge protection, safety inspections: if it involves electricity, we handle it. Work is performed by licensed electricians who know Los Angeles County's permit process and code requirements.
We show up on time, explain the work before we start, and give you a straight quote with no surprises. The kind of electrical work neighbors pass along by word of mouth is the only kind we do.
Call (818) 369-3955 to request a quote or schedule a service call. Honest quotes. Code-compliant work. Reliable power.
From a tripped breaker to a full panel upgrade, we handle the electrical work that keeps homes and businesses in Northridge running safely. We have been doing this work in the San Fernando Valley since 1990, and every job gets the same straight quote, code-compliant work, and clean finish. The table below covers what we do, who each service fits, and what is worth knowing before you call.
| Service Type | What It Covers | Best For | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | faulty breaker replacementfuse box assessmentbreaker sizingtripping circuit diagnosis | homes with a breaker that trips repeatedly or a fuse box still in service | A breaker that trips under normal load is often a sign of a wiring fault, not just an oversized load. We diagnose both before recommending a fix. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | 240V appliance circuitsdryer and range wiringrefrigerator and dishwasher circuitsworkshop circuit installation | homeowners adding a major appliance or setting up a workshop or garage space | Running a high-draw appliance on a shared circuit is one of the most common causes of nuisance tripping. A dedicated circuit sized for the load solves the problem for good. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | fan and light kit installationfan replacementremote and smart control wiringbrace box installation | rooms without an existing fan or homes replacing older units | A ceiling fan needs a rated brace box to carry the weight and movement. If the existing box is not fan-rated, we swap it out as part of the install. |
| Electrical Panel UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp panel replacementsubpanel installationload calculationsservice entrance and meter coordination | homes with a 100-amp panel, an aging or damaged panel, or any property adding significant new electrical load | A panel upgrade is often the right first step before adding EV charging, solar battery backup, or a major appliance circuit. We size the new panel for your actual usage, not just the minimum. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | dead outletsflickering lightsloose or worn connectionsGFCI and AFCI faults | any home or business with an unexplained electrical problem | Good troubleshooting traces the problem to its source before any parts get replaced. Same-day service is available for urgent calls. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | knob-and-tube replacementaluminum branch-circuit remediationwhole-home rewiringgrounding upgrades | Northridge homes built before 1970 with outdated wiring that may affect insurance coverage or code compliance | Aluminum branch-circuit wiring and knob-and-tube are both known fire risks and can complicate homeowners insurance. We assess the system and explain the options before any work begins. |
| Solar & Battery Backup | battery and solar interconnect wiringtransfer switch installationpanel capacity for added loadcircuit runs to inverter or battery | Northridge homeowners adding battery backup in response to fire-season utility shutoffs | We handle the wiring, circuits, and panel work that connects a battery or solar system to your home. We do not install or service the solar panels or battery units themselves. |
| Hot-Tub Circuits | 240V hot-tub circuit installationdisconnect box installationGFCI protectionpermit and inspection coordination | homeowners installing a new hot tub or spa that requires a dedicated 240V supply | Hot-tub wiring requires a dedicated circuit, a weatherproof disconnect within sight of the unit, and GFCI protection. California code is specific on all three, and we pull the permit so the work is on record. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI outlet installationsmart switch and dimmer upgradesoutlet additionsswitch replacement | homeowners upgrading controls or adding outlets in kitchens, baths, garages, and outdoor areas | California code requires GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and all outdoor locations. We bring existing outlets up to current requirements when we are on the job. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed LED lightingpendant and chandelier installationoutdoor and security lightingunder-cabinet and landscape lighting | homeowners remodeling a room or upgrading to energy-efficient fixtures throughout | Outdoor security lighting and landscape lighting circuits require weatherproof wiring and proper grounding. We handle permits when the scope requires them. |
| Standby Battery for Outages | transfer switch installationpanel wiring for battery backupload circuit selectioninterconnect wiring | homeowners who want to keep critical loads running during a public-safety power shutoff | We handle the electrical side: the transfer switch, the circuits, and the panel connections. The battery unit itself is supplied and installed by the battery system provider. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runsrough-in wiring for remodelsjunction box installationgrounding and bonding upgrades | remodels, additions, and properties that need new circuits added to an existing system | All new wiring work is permitted and inspected to California code. We coordinate with the city or county building department so you have a clean record for future sales or insurance. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | panel and branch circuit reviewoutlet and switch conditiongrounding and bonding checkvisible wiring assessment | buyers, sellers, landlords, and homeowners who want an honest picture of where the system stands | An inspection often surfaces issues that are straightforward to correct before they become bigger problems. We explain what we find and what it would take to fix it, with no obligation to proceed. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-mounted surge device installationwhole-home voltage spike protectionprotection for appliances and electronics | homes with high-value electronics, smart-home devices, or appliances vulnerable to grid fluctuations | A surge protector installed at the panel protects every circuit in the house. In a region where wildfire-season grid events are a real concern, it is a practical upgrade that pairs well with a panel job. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit240V dedicated outletpanel capacity checkpermit coordination | EV owners in the San Fernando Valley who rely on overnight charging and need more than a standard 120V outlet can provide | Southern California leads the country in EV adoption, and a Level 2 charger requires a dedicated 240V circuit. If the panel needs capacity added to support it, we handle that as part of the same project. |
How do I know if my panel needs to be upgraded?
A few signs point clearly in that direction: a panel still running on 100 amps or less, breakers that trip under normal household loads, a fuse box instead of circuit breakers, or visible signs of heat damage or corrosion inside the panel. If you are planning to add an EV charger, a battery backup system, or a major appliance, a load calculation will tell you whether the existing panel has the capacity. Call us and we will walk through what you have and what makes sense.
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly?
Repeated tripping usually means one of three things: the circuit is carrying more load than it was designed for, there is a wiring fault somewhere on the circuit, or the breaker itself is worn and no longer holding properly. Running a microwave, space heater, or other high-draw appliance on a shared circuit is a common cause. A dedicated circuit sized for that load is often the right fix. We diagnose the actual cause before recommending anything.
Is the work permitted and inspected?
Yes. Any work that requires a permit under Los Angeles County or city code gets one. We handle the permit application and coordinate the inspection so you have a clean record on file. That matters when you sell the property or make an insurance claim, and it protects you from having unpermitted work flagged during escrow.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
We offer same-day electrical service throughout Northridge and the San Fernando Valley, and we take after-hours calls when the situation cannot wait. Call early for the best chance at a same-day appointment.
What does flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional dimming when a large appliance starts up can be normal, but lights that flicker consistently or dim without an obvious cause are worth having looked at. Common causes include a loose connection at the fixture, a failing breaker, a shared circuit that is overloaded, or a neutral wire issue. In older homes, it can also point to wiring that has deteriorated over time. We trace the problem to the source rather than guessing.
Is the wiring in an older Northridge home safe?
It depends on what is there and what condition it is in. Homes built before 1970 in this area sometimes still have knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch-circuit wiring. Both present real safety concerns and can affect homeowners insurance coverage. An electrical safety inspection gives you an honest picture of what the system looks like and what, if anything, needs attention. We explain what we find and what it would take to correct it.
What do I need for a Level 2 EV charger at home?
A Level 2 charger runs on a dedicated 240V circuit, typically 40 to 50 amps, with the outlet or hardwired connection located in your garage or at your driveway. We assess your panel to confirm it has the capacity to carry the new circuit, run the wiring, and install the outlet or connection point. If the panel needs an upgrade to support the added load, we handle that as part of the same project. We also pull the permit so the installation is on record with the county.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job is handled by licensed electricians who know Los Angeles County permit requirements and California electrical code. We pull permits when the work requires them and coordinate inspections so your record is clean.
Do I need to be home while the work is being done?
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the panel, the areas where we are working, and the ability to ask questions or confirm scope if something unexpected comes up. For larger projects that run across multiple days, we can work out the details with you on scheduling. We try to keep disruption to a minimum and let you know what to expect before we start.
How do estimates and pricing work?
We discuss the job over the phone first to get a sense of the scope, then give you a straight quote before any work begins. If something unexpected comes up once we are into the job, we explain it and get your approval before proceeding. You know what you are paying for before any additional work starts. We do not build in surprises.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We give you a straight quote before work begins. If something unexpected comes up mid-job, we explain it and get your approval before we proceed. You know what you are paying for at every step.
When should I call an electrician instead of trying to fix it myself?
Any work that involves the panel, new wiring, circuit additions, or anything behind the wall is work for a licensed electrician. The same goes for outlets or switches that are warm to the touch, smell like burning, or make buzzing sounds. Replacing a light bulb or a plug-in device is one thing; anything that involves the wiring itself carries real risk if it is not done correctly. When in doubt, a quick call costs nothing and can tell you whether it is something you can handle or something we should look at.
Is same-day electrical service available?
Yes. Same-day service is available throughout Northridge and the surrounding communities. Calling early in the day gives you the best chance of a same-day appointment. We also take after-hours calls when the situation genuinely cannot wait.
What is whole-home surge protection and is it worth it?
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and shields every circuit in the house from voltage spikes. That covers appliances, home theater equipment, computers, smart-home devices, and anything else plugged into a wall. In the Los Angeles area, where wildfire-season grid events and utility fluctuations are a real concern, it is a practical layer of protection. The install is straightforward and pairs naturally with a panel upgrade if you are already having panel work done.
Call (818) 369-3955 to talk through any job on this list and get a straight quote from a local electrician who knows the area.
(818) 369-3955