Scope
Switchgear and switchboards: installation, replacement and service on equipment that has reached the end of its life or outgrown the building's load. Three-phase distribution at 208V and 480V, including feeders sized for the run and the duty. Motor circuits, starters, VFD supplies and disconnects placed where they can actually be reached. Equipment connections worked from the manufacturer's data rather than assumption. High-bay and warehouse lighting with the controls to make it worth doing. Conduit and cable management that will survive a working environment rather than looking good on handover day.
Plan assessment and replacement around operations
Share equipment records, maintenance concerns and operating constraints before the project is scheduled. We can discuss thermal inspection using our own equipment, along with any further testing needed for the agreed assessment. Thermal images can reveal apparent temperature differences; findings still require interpretation and may need additional investigation.
Working on a live site
We plan outages around production rather than expecting production to plan around us: the window, what stays energized, what gets temporarily transferred, the sequence in writing and the fallback if something does not go as intended. Labeling and arc-flash signage corrected as part of the work, because the person who needs it is the one working on the equipment at 3am. Where the site is covered by a prevailing wage contract we are registered with the DIR and handle the compliance alongside the installation.
Background reference: Fluke: interpreting electrical thermal images.
Common questions
Can switchgear be replaced without shutting the plant down?
Some work can be staged to reduce the area affected, but the equipment and work determine which shutdowns are needed. We review the sequence, operating needs and practical outage window before scheduling installation.
We are installing new machinery. What do you need from us?
The manufacturer's electrical data — voltage, phase, full load amps, disconnect requirements — and where it is going. We check that against the actual service and tell you whether it runs as-is, needs a transformer, or needs a service change. Early is considerably cheaper than after delivery.
Do you handle prevailing wage work?
Yes. We are registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations and handle prevailing wage by classification, certified payroll through eCPR and apprenticeship compliance as part of the job rather than as paperwork bolted on afterwards.
Technical planning notes & references
BEFORE WE QUOTE THE WORK
Start with the machine requirements
Use actual equipment information
Voltage, phase, starting characteristics and manufacturer instructions influence the supply. Motors and controls can need different protection and switching from a general-purpose receptacle. Confirm the equipment schedule before committing to distribution changes.
Plan for maintenance and production
Routes, physical protection, disconnects and maintenance access must suit the environment. Shutdown windows and equipment-supplier coordination affect the schedule. Define electrical testing and commissioning responsibilities before installation.