You Might Not Have the Power You Think You Do
Why electrical limitations aren’t always visible in industrial
The Assumption Most industrial property Owners Make
When a panel says 600 amps, most owners assume that’s what they have available. But in reality?
That number is just the ceiling — not a guarantee of usable power.
Between transformer limits, power factor issues, and hidden infrastructure constraints, you could be working with far less than what’s printed on the label.
Here's What Can Limit You — Even with a Big Panel
1. Transformer Capacity
Even a 600A panel won’t do much if your transformer only supports 300–400 amps.
Check the kVA rating on the transformer (often on a white sticker).
Use this formula to estimate:
Formula to convert (kVA) to amps at 480V, 3-phase.
For example:
A 300 kVA transformer at 480V with a power factor of 1.0 = approx. 361 amps
Not even enough to fully support that 600A panel.
2. Power Factor (PF)
Not all power delivered is usable. The power factor measures how efficiently electricity is being used.
A PF of 1.0 is perfect. But in industrial buildings — especially those with motors, compressors, HVAC, or refrigeration — it’s often closer to 0.8–0.9.
That means you may only get 80–90% of the power you think you’re getting.
3. Inrush Current (Startup Power)
Equipment like HVAC, shredders, or cold storage compressors draw extra power at startup — often 2–6× more than their running load.
Even if your transformer supports daily operations, you might still trip breakers or experience flickering when everything kicks on at once.
4. Shared Infrastructure
In multi-tenant parks, power may be shared across multiple units. That means:
A neighbor’s equipment may affect your voltage stability
Adding power to one suite might require utility upgrades
What seems “expandable” could involve months of coordination with Edison
What You Can Do
You don’t need to run load calculations — just be aware of these 4 concepts:
Transformer size (kVA)
Power factor (efficiency)
Startup load (inrush current)
Shared power (especially in older parks)
Even if the panel looks like it has room, the infrastructure may not.
📌 key takeaway
Before assuming you have “plenty of power,” take time to:
Check the transformer rating
Understand PF and startup loads
Confirm whether power is shared
Ask your electrician the right questions — not just "Can I swap the panel?"