DER Electric has been serving Bethlehem and the surrounding Northampton County area since 2010. From the first call to the final inspection, we bring full-service electrical work to homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across the region. We treat your home and its wiring the way we would our own, and that standard has guided every job we have taken on for over sixteen years.
Whether you need a single outlet replaced or a complete panel upgrade, we show up, we do the work right, and we back it up. Every job is handled by licensed electricians who know the local code and understand the kinds of electrical systems found in this area. We live here. We wire here. We stand behind our work.
Call (484) 916-4289 to get a quote on any electrical job, large or small.
Some homes need a full rewire. Others just need one outlet fixed. Either way, the first step is figuring out exactly what is going on. When you call us for a repair, we start with a thorough diagnostic before we touch anything.
Flickering lights, dead outlets, a burning smell near a switch, breakers that trip every time you run the microwave, a room with no power, or half the house going dark after a storm. These are the calls we get every week, and they are the calls we are built to handle. Tripping breakers often point to overloaded circuits or a failing breaker, but they can also signal something more serious. We trace the problem to its source.
We also check for GFCI and AFCI protection where code requires it. Ground-fault circuit interrupters belong in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. Arc-fault breakers are required in bedrooms and living spaces in newer construction and in renovation work. If your home is missing either, we can bring it up to current standards while we are already on-site.
Work is performed by licensed electricians, and we give you straight answers before we start. We'll get your lights back on fast.
Outlets wear out. Switches fail. Fixtures get outdated. We handle all of it, from a single standard outlet to a 240V outlet for a new appliance, from a basic switch swap to a full dimmer or smart-switch upgrade.
GFCI outlets in wet locations, 20-amp circuits for kitchen countertops, under-cabinet lighting in a remodeled kitchen. We wire it all to code and leave the work clean. Ceiling fan installation and wiring is a frequent request too, whether you are adding a fan to a room that never had one or replacing an old fixture that stopped working. We'll have your outlets working again in no time.
A breaker panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. When it is undersized, aging, or damaged, everything downstream suffers. We repair and replace individual circuit breakers, upgrade older fuse boxes to modern panels, and install 200-amp service for homes that have outgrown their original capacity.
For larger projects, we handle service-entrance and meter upgrades, subpanel installation for additions or detached structures, and load calculations to make sure your system can carry what you are putting on it. Dedicated appliance circuits, a 240V dryer outlet, a stove circuit, a circuit for a new refrigerator or chest freezer in the garage. These jobs require proper sizing and permit work, and we handle the electrical permit process as part of the job.
You get straight answers about your panel and wiring, no surprises. We tell you what we find, what it will take to fix it, and what it costs before we start. Call and we'll get the current flowing right.
Good lighting does more than light a room. It adds security, improves curb appeal, and can cut energy costs when you move from older fixtures to recessed LED lighting.
Inside, we install recessed lighting in kitchens, living rooms, basements, and hallways. We replace outdated fixtures, add under-cabinet lighting, and wire new circuits where existing ones cannot carry the load. Outside, we install security lighting, motion sensor lights, landscape lighting wiring, and exterior fixtures for porches, garages, and entryways. Outdoor outlet installation is part of that work too, whether you need a weatherproof outlet on the back of the house or power run to a detached garage.
Energy efficiency is a real benefit here. Swapping older fixtures for LED lighting reduces the load on your circuits and cuts your monthly bill. We size the circuits correctly and make sure every fixture is properly grounded and code-compliant.
Whether this is your first repair or your tenth, at some point an older home needs more than a patch. When the wiring itself is the problem, a whole-home rewire is the right answer.
We handle new wiring installation, electrical rough-in for additions and remodels, kitchen and bathroom electrical upgrades, and wiring for workshops and shed electrical hookups. Grounding and bonding get done correctly as part of every rewire, and we install whole-home surge protection where the panel can support it. A whole-house surge protector at the service entrance protects appliances, electronics, and HVAC equipment from voltage spikes, including the kind that follow a utility restoration after an outage.
We pick up the phone and get it handled. When you call with a wiring question, you reach someone who can actually schedule the work and give you a real answer. We'll have your outlets working again in no time.
Bethlehem sits in some of the oldest residential territory in the country. Row homes and single-family houses built in the early and mid-1900s are common across the South Side and surrounding neighborhoods, and many of them still carry the original wiring. At the same time, Northampton County has seen strong growth in electric vehicle ownership, and Pennsylvania winters bring the kind of nor'easters and ice storms that knock out power for days at a time. These three services come up constantly in this area, and we handle all three.
Knob-and-tube wiring was standard construction through the mid-twentieth century. It has no ground wire, it degrades over decades, and it was never designed to carry the electrical loads a modern household puts on it. Aluminum branch wiring, common in homes built during the 1960s and 1970s, expands and contracts with heat in ways that loosen connections over time and create fire risk at outlets and fixtures.
Both present real concerns for homeowners and for insurance carriers. We assess the scope of the problem, remediate aluminum connections using approved methods, and replace knob-and-tube systems with properly grounded modern wiring. Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers get installed as part of the updated panel work. You get the wiring done right the first time, and documentation you can hand to your insurance company or a home buyer.
A Level 2 EV charger runs on a dedicated 240V circuit and can fully charge most electric vehicles overnight. Installing one at home is straightforward when the panel has capacity. When it does not, we do a load calculation first and upgrade the panel or add a subpanel if needed.
We wire Level 2 chargers for homeowners, landlords, and commercial property managers. Multi-unit property owners in Bethlehem are increasingly adding EV charging as a tenant amenity, and we can wire multiple charging stations from a single subpanel to keep the installation clean and cost-effective. Call and we'll get the current flowing right.
When a nor'easter takes down a transmission line, Northampton County can lose power for a day or more. A properly wired backup generator with a transfer switch keeps your lights, heat supply circuits, sump pump, and refrigerator running until utility power returns.
We handle the electrical side of generator installation: running the wiring, installing the transfer switch, sizing the panel connection, and making sure the hookup meets code. We do not service the generator unit itself, but we make sure the electrical connection between the generator and your home is safe, permitted, and ready to work when you need it.
What sets our electricians apart is straightforward: we show up on time, we do the work to code, and we communicate clearly from start to finish. That matters on a commercial job just as much as a residential one.
We work with office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, and multi-unit residential properties. Commercial panel upgrades, commercial lighting installation, circuit additions for new equipment, and electrical work tied to renovation and buildout are all in our regular scope. Landlords and property managers call us for unit repairs, common-area lighting, and electrical safety inspections before a new tenant moves in or a lease renewal.
Pre-sale electrical inspections are valuable for commercial and residential sellers alike. An inspection identifies code issues before a buyer's inspector finds them, and it gives you time to address them on your schedule rather than under contract pressure. We'll get your lights back on fast.
Power surges happen more often than most homeowners realize. A lightning strike nearby, a utility switching event, or a large motor cycling on and off inside your own home can all send voltage spikes through your wiring. A whole-home surge protector installed at the service panel absorbs those spikes before they reach your appliances and electronics.
Electrical safety inspections are a smart step any time you are buying a home, selling one, finishing a basement, or adding significant load to an older system. We inspect the panel, the wiring, the outlets, and the grounding system and give you a written summary of what we find. Hardwired smoke detector installation and carbon monoxide detector wiring are part of the safety picture too, and we can add or update those while we are on-site for another job.
Code compliance matters here. Whether you are preparing a home for sale or responding to a note from your insurance carrier, we document the work and pull the necessary permits so the record is clean.
Bethlehem is home base, and we stay close to it. We serve customers throughout Northampton County, including Easton, Nazareth, Hellertown, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg, and Allentown. When you call, you reach someone who knows the area and can get a licensed electrician to your door without a long wait.
We answer the phone. We dispatch the electrician. We keep it simple.
Call (484) 916-4289 and tell us what you need. We will give you a straightforward quote and get the work scheduled.
We offer same-day service for electrical repairs and emergency availability for situations that cannot wait. When you call (484) 916-4289, we will tell you honestly how soon we can get someone to you based on current availability. Electrical emergencies get prioritized.
Homes built before the 1970s were wired for a fraction of the electrical load a modern household puts on them. Fewer circuits, lower amperage panels, and no dedicated circuits for large appliances mean the system is constantly running near its limit. Adding outlets, dedicated circuits, or upgrading the panel are the right solutions, not just resetting breakers and hoping for the best.
Outlets with only two slots and no ground, lights that flicker when an appliance runs, a panel full of fuses instead of breakers, a burning or warm smell near outlets or switches, and wiring that has never been updated in a home built before 1980 are all signs worth taking seriously. We inspect the system and give you a straight answer on what needs to be addressed.
If your breakers trip regularly under normal use, you are adding large appliances or an EV charger, your home has a 60-amp or 100-amp fuse box, or you are finishing a basement or adding a major addition, a service upgrade is likely the right move. We do a load calculation to confirm what your system actually needs before recommending an upgrade.
An undersized or failing panel creates problems throughout the house. Lights dim when appliances kick on, breakers trip under loads they should handle, and there may not be enough circuits to support modern usage without overloading what is there. In some cases, an old panel also creates a fire or shock hazard that is not obvious until something fails.
A breaker trips when a circuit is drawing more current than it is rated for. A single trip after a heavy load is normal. Repeated trips on the same circuit, trips with no obvious cause, or a breaker that will not reset are signs of a deeper issue. It could be a failing breaker, a wiring fault, or a panel that can no longer handle the load your home puts on it.
For most repair and installation work, we shut off the circuit being worked on rather than the whole house. For panel work, service upgrades, and jobs that require working at the main service entrance, a full shutoff is necessary for part of the job. We let you know in advance so you can plan for it.
We test every circuit, outlet, fixture, and connection that was part of the job before we pack up. For panel work, we verify breaker operation and check that all circuits are functioning correctly. We do not consider the job done until everything tests out the way it should.
Yes. When the scope of work requires a permit, we handle the permit process as part of the job. After the work is complete, we coordinate the inspection. Permitted work protects you legally, keeps your insurance coverage intact, and documents the work correctly for future buyers or inspectors.
Before buying or selling a home, after purchasing an older property in Bethlehem, when an insurer asks about the electrical system, or any time you suspect the wiring has not been updated in decades. An inspection gives you a written record of what is in the walls and what, if anything, needs attention.
DER Electric is Bethlehem's full-service electrical contractor for residential and commercial work. From a single outlet to a whole-home rewire, from a panel upgrade to a generator hookup, we handle it all and we do it right.
Flickering lights fixed. Dead outlets revived. Power back on.
Call (484) 916-4289 today for a quote on any electrical job. We are ready to help.
From a single dead outlet to a full panel upgrade, we handle the electrical work that keeps Bethlehem homes and businesses running safely. The table below covers every service we offer in this area, who it is best suited for, and what you should know before scheduling. If you have questions about a specific job, call us and we will walk you through it.
| Type of Work | What's Included | When You Need It | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code-Correction Wiring |
| homeowners who received a failed inspection, an insurance requirement, or a notice from a home sale | Code corrections are often straightforward once we know exactly what is flagged. We give you a clear scope before any work begins. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular |
| older homes adding appliances, EV chargers, or generators, and any property with a fuse box still in service | A properly sized panel is the foundation of a safe electrical system. We size the new panel to your actual demand and handle the permit and inspection process. |
| Knob-and-Tube & Aluminum Rewiring |
| owners of Bethlehem homes built before 1980 with original or partially original wiring | Many insurers restrict or surcharge coverage on homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring. Work is performed by licensed electricians and brought fully up to current code. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits |
| homeowners adding a large appliance, workshop equipment, or any load that needs its own circuit | Dryers, ranges, and large appliances require a dedicated 240-volt circuit. Running one from an already-loaded panel may require a capacity evaluation first. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation |
| homes being renovated, additions, or any property that needs new circuits added | Northampton County's older housing stock means rewiring projects are common here. We handle targeted rewiring of one section or the whole house. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation |
| homeowners updating older receptacles, adding outlets, or bringing a circuit up to code | Every outlet job includes proper grounding and bonding. GFCI protection is required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. |
| Backup Generator Installation |
| homeowners and businesses preparing for nor'easters and extended outages in Northampton County | The transfer switch is the critical safety component. It isolates your home's wiring from the utility line so power cannot back-feed onto the grid during an outage. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection |
| any homeowner with sensitive electronics, smart home devices, or appliances worth protecting | One device installed at the panel protects every circuit in the house. It is a straightforward addition during any panel or service visit. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting |
| any homeowner or business owner with an unexplained electrical problem | We trace the source of the problem, not just the symptom. A thorough diagnosis prevents the same issue from coming back. |
| Lighting Installation |
| homeowners updating interior lighting or adding outdoor security and landscape fixtures | Outdoor wiring requires weatherproof-rated fixtures and GFCI protection to meet Pennsylvania code and hold up to local weather. |
| Basement & Sump-Pump Circuits |
| homeowners finishing a basement or adding a sump pump, dehumidifier, or workshop in the lower level | Sump pumps should be on a dedicated circuit so a tripped breaker from another load does not leave the pump without power during a storm. |
| EV Charger Installation |
| Bethlehem homeowners adding a home EV charger for daily charging | A Level 2 charger requires a dedicated circuit and enough panel capacity to support it. Many homes in the area need a panel evaluation before installation. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair |
| homes or businesses with breakers that trip repeatedly or a fuse box still in service | A breaker that trips repeatedly is a warning sign, not a nuisance. We find out whether the issue is the breaker, the circuit load, or the panel itself. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections |
| buyers, sellers, landlords, and homeowners who want a clear picture of their system's condition | In older Bethlehem properties, inspections regularly turn up issues that have been quietly present for years. Knowing what is there is always better than guessing. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation |
| homeowners adding or replacing ceiling fans in any room | Older ceiling boxes are often not rated for fan weight. We check the box and brace before installation so the fan is mounted safely. |
How do I know if my panel needs to be upgraded?
Common signs include breakers that trip repeatedly, lights that dim when a large appliance starts, a fuse box still in service, or a panel that simply does not have enough open slots for the circuits you need. If you are planning to add an EV charger, a generator hookup, or significant new load, a panel evaluation should come first. We look at the panel, assess your current demand, and give you a straight answer about whether an upgrade makes sense.
What causes breakers to trip over and over?
Repeated tripping usually points to one of three things: a circuit that is carrying more load than it was designed for, a failing breaker that no longer holds its rated current, or a wiring problem somewhere on the circuit. Occasionally it signals that the panel itself is undersized for the home's demand. We diagnose the actual cause rather than just resetting the breaker and hoping it holds.
Is the work permitted and inspected?
For jobs that require a permit under Pennsylvania and local Bethlehem codes, we handle the permit process as part of the job. Permitted work is inspected by the local authority, which gives you documentation that the installation meets current code. That matters for insurance, for home sales, and simply for knowing the work was done correctly.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job we take on is handled by licensed electricians from start to finish. That means the work meets code, holds up to inspection, and gives you documentation you can rely on for insurance and home sales.
How do I know if the wiring in my older Bethlehem home is safe?
Homes built before 1980 may have knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch wiring, or both. Neither is automatically a crisis, but both require an honest assessment. Knob-and-tube lacks a ground conductor and was not designed for modern electrical loads. Aluminum branch wiring can loosen at connections over time and create heat at those points. An inspection gives you a clear picture of what is in the walls and what, if anything, needs to be addressed.
What does a Level 2 EV charger installation involve?
A Level 2 charger runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, similar to a dryer outlet. The installation involves running that circuit from your panel to the charger location, mounting the charging unit, and confirming the panel has enough capacity to carry the added load. Many homes in the Bethlehem area need a panel evaluation before the charger goes in, and some need a panel upgrade to make the load work safely. We handle the full electrical side of the job.
How does backup generator hookup work, and why does the transfer switch matter?
We connect the generator to your home's electrical system through a transfer switch, which is the component that makes the whole setup safe and legal. The transfer switch isolates your home's wiring from the utility line whenever the generator is running, which prevents power from back-feeding onto the grid and endangering utility workers. Without a proper transfer switch, a generator hookup is a code violation and a genuine safety hazard. We size the circuit, install the transfer switch, and integrate everything with your existing panel.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
We work regularly in Bethlehem's older housing stock, where knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits, and undersized panels are common. We also wire new construction and additions. Whatever the property, we know what we are looking at.
Do I need to be home while the work is being done?
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the panel, the affected circuits, and often multiple rooms. For larger jobs like rewiring or panel replacement, someone should be available for the duration. When you call to schedule, we will let you know what access we need so you can plan accordingly.
When should I call an electrician instead of trying to fix it myself?
Anything beyond replacing a light bulb or a plug-in device is worth a call. Outlet and switch replacement, breaker issues, wiring work, and anything inside the panel are jobs for a licensed electrician. The risk with electrical DIY is not just a shock hazard in the moment. Improper wiring can create fire risk that shows up weeks or months later. If you are not certain, call and describe what you are seeing. We will tell you honestly whether it is something we need to handle.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
Electrical problems do not wait for a convenient time, and neither do we. We are available for same-day service and after-hours emergencies for both residential and commercial customers across Northampton County.
Are warm or buzzing outlets something to worry about?
Yes. A warm outlet usually means there is resistance at a connection, which generates heat. A buzzing sound from an outlet or switch often points to a loose wire or a failing device. Both are worth addressing promptly. Left alone, a loose or overheating connection can damage wiring inside the wall or become a fire hazard. Call us and we will get a look at it.
What does GFCI protection do, and where is it required?
A GFCI outlet or breaker monitors the circuit for a ground fault, which is an unintended path for current, and cuts power in a fraction of a second if it detects one. That response time is fast enough to prevent a serious shock. Code requires GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, outdoor areas, and anywhere near water. If your home does not have GFCI protection in those locations, we can add it as a standalone job or as part of any other electrical visit.
How long does a panel upgrade or whole-home rewire take?
A panel upgrade typically takes most of a working day. A whole-home rewire depends on the size of the house and the condition of the existing wiring, but plan on multiple days for a full rewire of an average-sized home. When you call, we will ask about the property and give you a realistic time estimate before we schedule. We confirm the details once we are on-site and have seen the full scope.
Every property is a little different, and the right solution depends on what is actually in your walls. Call us at (484) 916-4289 and we will give you a straight answer about what the job involves and what it will cost.
(484) 916-4289