Service Upgrades

When a service upgrade is needed

Older buildings were often wired for lighter loads than a modern tenant brings. New rooftop units, kitchen equipment, server rooms, EV chargers and added tenant space can all push a service past its limit.

The first step is a load calculation. Our in-house engineering team reviews the existing service, the connected loads and the planned additions, then tells you if the current service can carry the work or if it needs to grow.

What the work involves

A service upgrade is more than a bigger breaker. Depending on the building it can include:

• A new or enlarged main disconnect and metering arrangement
• Larger feeders from the utility connection to the main switchboard
• New or expanded distribution equipment
• Grounding and bonding updates
• Coordination with the utility for new transformers or connections
• Temporary power plans so occupied areas keep running

Utility coordination and lead times

The local electric utility has to approve and often build part of the connection. That process runs on its own timeline, and equipment such as switchgear and transformers can have long delivery times. We start those conversations during design so the schedule is based on real dates.

Planned outages are scheduled with the building owner and tenants. Where possible our crew does the cut-over after hours or on weekends to limit disruption.

Self-performed, start to finish

Because the same crew designs the work with engineering and installs it, there is no handoff between an electrical designer and a separate installer. Adam Williams, our Master Electrician, oversees the cut-over plan and the safety measures that go with live electrical work, and our health and safety group, led by Ghilda Gaber, reviews the plan before anyone touches energized equipment.

Permits and inspections under Alberta's Safety Codes system are part of our scope. We book them against the schedule so the inspector is on site when the work is ready.