Commercial Power Upgrades Perth

Commercial Power Upgrade FAQs

• What is a commercial power upgrade?

  It increases or modifies the electrical infrastructure serving a commercial property. Depending on the site, works may involve consumer mains, switchboards, main protection, three-phase power, metering, distribution equipment or the network connection. The scope depends on the existing installation and the business’s power requirements.

• How do I know if my business needs more power?

  New machinery, refrigeration, larger air conditioning, EV chargers, a fitout or business expansion can increase demand. We assess the existing installation against your proposed loads so you can establish what it can support before committing to the work.

• Do I automatically need a Western Power upgrade?

  No. Some projects fit within the power already available and only require changes to the property’s electrical installation. Others require a change to the network supply. We assess the connection and proposed load before determining which applies.

• How is a switchboard upgrade different from a power upgrade?

  The switchboard is one part of the installation. Replacing it does not automatically increase the electricity available from the network. A power upgrade may also require consumer mains, main protection, metering or incoming supply changes.

• Can you convert single-phase to three-phase power?

  An existing single-phase property may be converted where a suitable three-phase supply is available and the installation requirements can be met. The electrical and network works depend on the current connection and proposed load.

• Why would a commercial property need three-phase power?

  Certain machinery, motors, air-conditioning systems and other larger loads require or suit three-phase power. The equipment specifications and overall electrical design help establish whether it is appropriate for your business.

• What are consumer mains?

  Consumer mains carry power from the point of supply towards the main switchboard arrangement. If their capacity is unsuitable for the proposed installation, they may need upgrading as part of the works.

• What is CT metering?

  Current transformer (CT) metering is used for larger electrical loads where electricity is not measured through a standard direct-connected meter arrangement. Whether it is needed depends on the capacity and metering requirements of the installation.

• Can you assess capacity before we buy equipment?

  Yes. For substantial equipment, early assessment is the better approach. Equipment specifications let us consider demand before the equipment is purchased, delivered or scheduled for commissioning.

• Should we check the supply before leasing a property?

  If your business uses substantial electrical equipment, checking capacity before committing to premises can help identify additional work. A building may physically suit your operation without having an electrical supply capable of supporting the proposed load.

• Can you help with power upgrades for a commercial fitout?

  Yes. Assessing demand during fitout planning lets us consider the incoming supply, switchboards, distribution and final equipment requirements together. This helps reduce the risk of discovering a major capacity issue late in the project.

• How long does a commercial power upgrade take?

  Timing depends on the scope. An internal upgrade is different from a project involving a larger network connection. Western Power design or construction work can have significant lead times, so we recommend investigating the supply early in planning.

• Will the business need to shut down?

  Some works require an electrical shutdown so existing mains, switchboards or supply equipment can be safely isolated. The extent and duration depend on the job. Where possible, we plan shutdowns with you in advance to minimise disruption.

• Can you allow capacity for future growth?

  Yes. We can consider foreseeable changes such as additional machinery, refrigeration, air conditioning, EV charging or new buildings. The aim is to avoid unnecessarily limiting future expansion, rather than automatically oversizing the system.

• What information should I provide?

  If available, send the property address, project description, equipment specifications and electrical requirements, switchboard and metering photos, fitout or site plans, timeframe and expected future expansion. You do not need everything before contacting us; we can establish what else is required.