When a builder finishing a remodel needs a panel inspection before the city signs off, or a property manager gets a call from a tenant about dead outlets on a Friday afternoon, the job lands the same way: somebody needs a licensed electrician in Mountain View, and they need one today. Current Electric handles those calls for residential and commercial work throughout the city, from straightforward repairs to full service upgrades and the EV charger circuits that come up constantly in Santa Clara County.
Mountain View runs a dense mix of housing types, from older single-family homes on original wiring to newer condos and tech-adjacent rental stock with high electrical demand. We work across all of it. Whether the call comes from a contractor coordinating a kitchen remodel or a homeowner who has been ignoring a tripping breaker for too long, the approach is the same: find out what the job involves, explain what it takes to fix it, and get it scheduled. We're open every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, and same-day service is available.
The price on any electrical job depends on what the job actually involves. A single outlet replacement is scoped differently than a panel upgrade or a full rewire. When you call, we go through the scope with you: what the problem is, where it is in the home, and what we expect to find when we get there. That conversation is where the rate gets set, before anything is scheduled.
What can move a quote in either direction includes the condition of existing wiring, whether the panel has capacity for new circuits, how much wire needs to be run, and whether code upgrades are part of the picture. Older Mountain View homes sometimes have aluminum branch circuit wiring or knob-and-tube that needs to be addressed before other work can proceed, and that changes the scope. We explain what we find before we proceed, and you decide how to move forward.
Call (650) 614-5391 for a quote. You get the rate on the phone, and we tell you what it covers.
We're open every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, and same-day service is available for calls that can't be pushed to next week. A tripping breaker, a dead circuit in a kitchen, or an outlet that stopped working overnight are all situations where waiting is not a practical option. Call early and we can often get someone out the same day.
For rental properties and commercial spaces, we understand that the work has to happen around tenants and business hours. We confirm the appointment window when you call, so you know what to expect before the visit is booked. Property managers coordinating access through a tenant or building contact can work through the logistics on the call.
Real electricians. Real pricing. Real fast response.
Some electrical faults are straightforward. A breaker trips, you reset it, it trips again. An outlet stops working. A fixture goes dark. Those are calls where the diagnosis is usually quick.
Others are harder. A circuit that holds fine under normal load but fails when the dryer and the dishwasher run at the same time. Lights that flicker only in wet weather. An intermittent trip that happens twice a month and clears itself before you can figure out which circuit is involved. These problems are not difficult because the fix is complicated. They are difficult because finding the fault is its own job, separate from correcting it.
We approach intermittent faults methodically: checking connections, testing under load, tracing the circuit back through the panel, and looking for the conditions that cause the failure. That process takes longer than a straightforward repair, and we explain that on the call so you know what the visit involves. Wiring work is checked against code before sign-off, which means the fix is verified, not just assumed.
In a flat or apartment, the electrical picture is split in a way that detached homes are not. The breaker panel inside the unit covers the circuits you use and control. But the service entrance, the meter, and often the wiring between the building's main panel and your unit's subpanel are communal infrastructure, and those are not yours to modify.
If a problem is upstream of your unit's panel, the fix involves the building's electrical system, not just your own. That means coordinating with the building manager or HOA before work can proceed. We can assess what is inside your unit and tell you clearly where the boundary is. If the fault is on the building's side, we explain what needs to happen and who needs to authorize it.
For tenants, the same rule applies in reverse. If an outlet stops working and resetting the breaker does not help, it may be a fault inside the unit or it may be upstream. Calling us to assess the unit is the right first step. We'll get the job wired and finished on the parts that are ours to address, and we'll tell you what to take to the building manager if the problem is beyond the unit's panel.
Outlets and switches are the most common installation request we handle. Adding an outlet to a room that does not have enough, replacing a worn or discolored receptacle, upgrading to GFCI protection in a kitchen or bathroom, or installing USB outlets are all straightforward jobs. We also handle dimmer switches, three-way switching, and outdoor weatherproof outlets for patios and garages.
A panel that is failing, undersized, or no longer supported by its manufacturer is a problem that shows up in a few ways: breakers that will not hold, limited space for new circuits, or a service entrance that cannot carry the load a modern home puts on it. We handle breaker replacement, full panel replacement, and service upgrades when the amperage needs to increase. Load calculations confirm what the panel needs to support before any work begins.
Outdoor lighting in Mountain View runs year-round. Security lighting, motion-sensor fixtures, landscape lighting, and pathway lights all need wiring that holds up outside and meets code for outdoor installations. We run the circuits, install the fixtures, and set up the controls. Where no existing outdoor circuit is in place, we add one.
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and catches voltage spikes before they reach any outlet or appliance in the house. In a home running EV charging equipment, solar inverters, and connected devices, a surge can damage multiple systems at once. Panel-level protection covers everything downstream. We pair the installation with a check of grounding and bonding to confirm the protection is working as it should.
EV adoption in Santa Clara County is among the highest in the country, and a Level 2 home charger is the practical choice for daily driving. Installation starts with a load calculation to confirm the panel can carry the added circuit. We run the dedicated 240-volt circuit, install the charger, and size the circuit correctly for the unit being used. If the panel needs an upgrade to support the load, we handle that as part of the same project.
Knob-and-tube wiring was installed in homes built through the mid-twentieth century, and Mountain View has its share of housing from that era. The wiring lacks a ground conductor, was not designed for modern electrical loads, and degrades over time. Where it has been modified or insulated over, the risk increases. We assess the extent of the wiring, explain what remediation involves, and handle the replacement using code-compliant wiring throughout.
A repair call usually starts with a symptom: something stopped working, something is behaving oddly, or something that should not be happening is. We diagnose the circuit, identify the fault, and correct it. For intermittent problems, the diagnostic phase takes longer. Either way, the goal is the same: find the source of the problem rather than patching around it. A local electrician for homeowners who want the issue fixed, not deferred.
Older Mountain View homes often have panels that were adequate when they were installed but are not sized for today's loads. Adding an EV charger, a battery backup system, or a kitchen remodel to a 100-amp service is not always possible without upgrading the panel first. We handle the full scope: load calculations, panel replacement, service-entrance upgrades, and subpanel installation where a detached garage or addition needs its own feed. The service page carries the full breakdown of what each upgrade type involves.
Installation calls cover a wide range: recessed and LED lighting, ceiling fans, dedicated circuits for appliances, outdoor fixtures, EV charger circuits, and electrical safety inspections before a home sale or renovation. The situation that leads to each one is different, but the process is the same. We scope the job on the call, confirm the rate, and get the work done. The next job gets earned by doing this one right.
We serve Mountain View and the communities around it throughout Santa Clara County. That includes Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Loyola, and Los Altos Hills. If you are just outside Mountain View and want to confirm we cover your address, call and we will let you know.
We answer when you call. We explain the work. We leave it safe.
Homeowners in Mountain View often read our page on electrical repairs before getting in touch.
The panel itself is de-energized for the duration of the swap, which is typically a matter of hours for a straightforward replacement. We give you a clearer estimate when we scope the job, because the time depends on the size of the panel and whether any related work is being done at the same time.
Santa Clara County homes frequently run EV chargers, solar inverters, battery systems, and a high density of connected devices, all of which are vulnerable to voltage spikes. A panel-level surge protector covers every circuit in the house rather than relying on individual power strips. We install it at the panel and check grounding and bonding at the same time to confirm the protection is doing its job.
In some situations, yes. Whether a temporary supply is practical depends on the scope of the job and the layout of the property. Call us with the details and we will explain what is possible before the work is scheduled.
Often yes, for straightforward items like a failing outlet, a missing GFCI, or a loose connection. More involved work, like a panel upgrade or a rewiring section, is scheduled as a separate visit once we have confirmed the scope and the price.
Save any open work and shut down equipment before the power goes off. For longer shutdowns, we let you know in advance which circuits will be affected and for roughly how long, so you can plan around it and protect anything sensitive.
Yes. When you call to schedule, we work through the access and timing details so the visit fits around the tenant's situation. Property managers handling multiple units or coordinating between a tenant and a building manager can talk through the logistics on the same call where the scope and rate are confirmed.
Homes built before the 1970s in Mountain View often have wiring that was not designed to carry today's loads, and some have knob-and-tube or aluminum branch circuit wiring that needs to be assessed before new circuits can be added. We check the existing wiring and panel capacity on the call and during the visit, and we explain what needs to be addressed before the new work can proceed safely.
We are open daily from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, which covers early morning start times that work for many commercial properties. If your situation requires work outside those hours, call us and we will discuss what can be arranged.
Meter and service entrance work involves coordination with the utility provider. We handle the electrical side of the upgrade and manage the process of scheduling the utility work that falls on their end, so you are not left coordinating between multiple parties on your own.
Current Electric is ready to take your call for any electrical work in Mountain View, whether that is a single outlet that stopped working or a full panel replacement. A small problem is worth a call before it becomes a larger one. Call (650) 614-5391 for a quote and we will get you on the schedule.
We also work in: Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Cupertino, Santa Clara.
Below is a quick look at the electrical services we handle for homes and businesses in Mountain View, Santa Clara County and the surrounding Peninsula. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and a practical note to help you decide whether to call. If you have questions about a specific job, call us and we will walk through the scope with you before anything is scheduled.
| Service | What It Covers | Best For | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-level surge protector installationgrounding and bonding checkprotection for EV and solar equipmentelectrical safety inspection pairing | homes with EV chargers, solar inverters, or a high density of connected devices | A surge protector at the panel covers everything in the house. Individual power strips at outlets do not provide the same level of protection. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed lighting installationfixture replacementAFCI breaker installationwhole-room lighting circuits | homeowners remodeling a room or updating fixtures throughout the home | California code requires arc-fault protection in bedrooms and living areas. We handle AFCI installation as part of lighting work where required. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades | 200-amp service upgradessubpanel installationload calculationsservice entrance and meter upgrades | older homes being renovated or adding EV chargers, solar, or high-draw appliances | Wiring work is checked against code before sign-off. Many Mountain View, Santa Clara County homes still carry 100-amp service that was never sized for today's loads. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | fault diagnosis and circuit testingGFCI and AFCI protection checksgrounding and bonding issuesworn breaker replacement | homeowners dealing with flickering lights, dead outlets, or recurring faults | Same-day service is available for most repair calls. Waiting on an electrical fault usually makes it worse, not better. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | dryer and range circuitsdishwasher and refrigerator circuitsworkshop and garage circuitshot-tub circuit installation | homeowners adding major appliances or a workshop that needs its own power supply | Sharing capacity with the rest of the house causes nuisance trips and can shorten appliance life. A dedicated circuit fixes that. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit installationpanel capacity assessmentpanel upgrade if load requires itfuture-capacity planning | EV owners who want reliable home charging without relying on a standard outlet | EV adoption in Santa Clara County is among the highest in the country. We size the circuit for the charger you have and plan ahead for a second vehicle if needed. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | standard and GFCI outlet installationswitch replacement and upgradesadding outlets to underserved roomscode-required ground-fault protection | homeowners updating kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or outdoor areas | Kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas all have specific code requirements for GFCI protection. We make sure the work meets those standards. |
| Solar & Battery Backup | solar system electrical wiringbattery storage circuit installationservice entrance and subpanel upgradesbackup generator hookup and transfer switch | homeowners adding rooftop solar, battery storage, or a generator for outage resilience | We work on the electrical side of solar and battery installations. California's public-safety power shutoffs have made outage planning a real priority in this area. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runshome addition and remodel wiringolder-home rewiringconduit and cable work | renovations, additions, and homes where original wiring is no longer adequate | Rewiring scope depends on the home's age, the condition of existing wiring, and what the new load demands are. We assess before recommending. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker testing and replacementfuse panel assessmentnuisance trip diagnosisload evaluation | homes where breakers trip repeatedly under normal use | A breaker that trips repeatedly is telling you something. We find the cause rather than just resetting it. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | fan and wiring installationbox and support upgrade where neededswitch and control wiring | rooms that need better air circulation without adding a new circuit | Many older ceiling boxes are not rated for fan weight. We confirm the box and support before installation. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | arc-fault and ground-fault gap identificationgrounding and bonding reviewpanel condition assessmentpre-purchase and pre-sale inspection | buyers, sellers, landlords, and owners of older homes that have not been inspected recently | Mountain View, Santa Clara County has a lot of mid-century housing where original wiring is still in place. An inspection identifies what needs attention before adding load to the system. |
Every job is different, and a quick call is the fastest way to get a straight answer about what your electrical work actually involves. Call (650) 614-5391 and we will walk through the scope with you before anything is scheduled.
(650) 614-5391