"As a realtor, I trust James at ABR Electric above any other electrician I’ve met. His integrity, experience, and customer care are unmatched. I will continue to refer my clients to him."
– Joshua Dedmon
ABR electric is family owned and this is the second time I've hired them. The first time, I met the owner and he did the work himself. It was very evident that he takes pride in the company, his employees and making sure they are well trained, and they only offer quality work. I would not hesitate to recommend them or use them again if I had another job that needed to be done.
- C. Bales
Jason was personable and very good at his job! I was put at ease right away when they showed up on time. Wendy in the office kept me in the loop and I was amazed at how efficient they were. A problem on my home, that needed an upgrade for years, was solved in just about an hour! Excellent work from the ABR team. I was thrilled and elated when the bill came in lower than expected! Wow. Great customer service on all accounts!.
-Christine W
Join McKinney’s trusted electricians as we show behind-the-scenes footage of EV charger installs, panel upgrades, lighting makeovers, and more — all done the right way.
Adding a generator, upgrading your electrical panel, or installing EV charging in Collin County? ABR Electric handles the paperwork, pulls permits, and schedules inspections across McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, and Murphy. We keep your project compliant and moving.
We file permit applications through your city’s portal (McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, and beyond) and confirm approval timelines. At the same time, our licensed electricians check your service, grounding, and panel capacity so installation day goes smoothly.
Step 2:
From generator hookups to panel upgrades and EV chargers, all work is performed to meet local city codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Every install is done cleanly and safely—across Collin County.
Step 3:
We schedule inspections with the city, meet with inspectors, and handle any corrections if required. The result: a fully compliant project with official approval and peace of mind.
Installing a whole-house surge protector means working directly with your main electrical panel, the hub of your home’s power supply. Because this involves high-voltage circuits and compliance with local codes, the job often requires permits and inspections. It also demands knowledge of electrical systems, grounding, and load management. For safety and legal compliance, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician who can handle both the technical work and permitting.
Running Romex cable (NM cable) through conduit is allowed under specific conditions according to the National Electrical Code (NEC). For instance, NEC Article 334.15(B) permits Romex in conduit where protection is required from physical damage. Conduit is typically used for individual wires or cables designed for conduit use. For more details and alternatives, watch this video with James Adams, master electrician for ABR Electric.
Portable Generators
Good for occasional outages
Cost: a few thousand dollars
Must be set up and started manually
Light maintenance required
Permanent (Standby) Generators
Automatic, uninterrupted backup power
Cost: $10,000–$15,000
Requires professional installation (permits, code/HOA compliance)
Runs on natural gas (needs reliable supply)
Regular servicing needed (oil, filters, inspections)
Things to Consider
How often and how long do you lose power?
Do you want automatic backup or are you fine with manual setup?
Would you handle maintenance yourself or prefer professional service?
Most often, a tripped GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is the cause. Outdoor outlets are usually protected by a GFCI outlet located in your garage or another hidden spot (sometimes behind shelves, a fridge, or storage).
If water gets into the outdoor outlet—through a bad seal, an open cover, or a cord left in the rain—the GFCI trips to protect you. To fix it, find the GFCI outlet with Test/Reset buttons, press the Reset button until it clicks, and then check your outdoor outlets again.