Power Distribution & Main Panels
Main intake panels, LV switchgear and power distribution for commercial buildings across the South East
We design and install power distribution systems for large commercial buildings. This includes main intake panels, LV switchgear, submains, distribution boards, three-phase supplies and DNO supply upgrades.
We also plan phased changeovers around occupied and operational buildings to keep disruption to a minimum. Where building work is needed around the electrical installation, we manage trusted subcontractors as part of the project while keeping responsibility for the electrical design, installation and connections.
NICEIC approved contractor. SafeContractor accredited. DBS-checked engineers. Trading since 2008.
Commercial power distribution across the South East
We are based in Battle, East Sussex, and carry out power distribution work across Kent, East Sussex, Surrey and the wider South East.
Our work includes load assessments, maximum demand calculations, main intake panels, LV switchgear, submains, distribution board upgrades, three-phase supplies and DNO connections. We can also coordinate containment where power distribution is being installed alongside data cabling.
We regularly work with estates and facilities teams in universities, schools and education, offices and commercial property, industrial sites and churches and houses of worship.
Power distribution forms part of our wider commercial electrical installations work, and our full range of services.
Power distribution designed around the building
Older buildings often have electrical distribution that has been added to over many years. Extra boards may have been connected as the building grew, loads changed and new equipment was installed.
Eventually this can leave you with full boards, unclear distribution, limited capacity or circuits that are difficult to isolate without affecting other areas of the building.
We start by looking at the load the building uses now and what you may need in future. That could include additional office space, EV chargers, electric heating, new equipment or other planned electrical work.
We then design the intake, switchgear, submains and distribution boards around that requirement. We also look at how the protective devices work together so that a fault can be isolated as locally as possible.
Clear distribution schedules and labelling are included so your facilities team knows what each board and circuit supplies.
We also plan the changeover around the way the building operates. On one university project in Chichester, we changed a £310,000 main panel over three days using backup generators so the laboratories could remain powered throughout the work.
What our power distribution projects include
Supply upgrades need to be planned early
If your existing electrical supply has enough capacity, we can plan the project around your own programme.
If the incoming supply needs to be increased, the DNO becomes part of the process and their timescales can affect when the project can go ahead.
Starting the conversation early gives us more options. We can look at phasing the work, planning it across different budget periods or scheduling the main changeover for a time that causes the least disruption.
Where required, we can also manage the DNO application and coordinate this with the rest of the project.
We manage the electrical work and the building work around it
A main intake or panel replacement can involve more than electrical work. Walls may need opening, plinths forming, intake rooms altering, fire stopping reinstating or access changing to get new equipment into position.
Where this work is required, we use subcontractors we know and manage their work as part of the project. We remain responsible for the electrical design, installation and connections.
This gives you one programme and one team to speak to rather than having to coordinate several separate contractors yourself.
We are also used to working from consulting engineers’ specifications, tender documents and public sector requirements.
Where audio visual work forms part of the same project, we can work alongside our sister company OBAV.
When an EICR identifies a distribution problem
Power distribution upgrades often start with an EICR rather than a planned replacement.
An inspection can identify issues with main panels, distribution boards, submains, protective devices, earthing or access for safe isolation.
If you have been told a board is full, needs replacing or requires further investigation, we can use the EICR findings as the starting point for the survey and design.
This gives you a clearer picture of what needs doing before you commit to the work.
Experienced commercial power distribution contractors
We have been carrying out commercial electrical work since 2008. We are an NICEIC Approved Contractor, SafeContractor accredited and our engineers are DBS checked.
We work on large commercial, education, industrial and public sector installations where careful planning, documentation and coordination are an important part of the project.
University intake panel. A £310,000 intake panel changed over three days using backup generators, with the laboratories remaining powered throughout the work.
Recent work
Why choose Lake Electrical for power distribution work
We are a family-run, owner-led business and we stay involved in the work. From the initial survey and design through to the changeover, you can speak directly to someone in our team who knows the project.
We have a team of experienced engineers and wherever possible you will deal with the same people throughout the work.
We design the distribution around what the building needs rather than simply replacing what is already there. We also plan shutdowns and changeovers carefully so the work can be completed with as little disruption as possible.
The result is a distribution system that gives you the capacity you need, is properly documented and is easier for your facilities team to manage in future.
Power distribution FAQs
How do I know if the distribution board or electrical supply needs upgrading?
We start with a survey and load assessment.
If a board has no spare capacity or the existing distribution cannot support what you want to add, the distribution system may need upgrading. If the building is approaching the capacity of the incoming supply, a DNO supply upgrade may also be required.
We will establish which applies before we design or price the work.
How long does an electrical supply upgrade take?
If the existing incoming supply is staying the same, we can programme the work ourselves.
If the supply needs to be increased, the DNO will have its own application, design and connection process. This can affect the overall timescale, particularly if work is required outside your building.
We will explain this after the initial survey so you know which parts of the programme we control and which depend on the DNO.
Will the building have to close during a panel replacement?
Not necessarily. We plan changeovers around the building and can often use temporary supplies, generators or phased working to keep important areas running.
On our Chichester university project, we changed the main intake panel over three days while backup generators kept the laboratories powered.
There will usually be some planned isolation involved, but we agree this with you before the work starts and schedule it for the most suitable time.
How do you price a main panel or power distribution upgrade?
We survey the existing installation first so we can understand the load, access, existing distribution and what the building needs in future.
We then price the electrical design, switchgear, panels, submains, distribution boards, installation, testing, building work and planned changeover.
Where DNO charges apply, these can be shown separately so you can see what is included in the project cost.
What does an unsatisfactory EICR on a distribution board mean?
An unsatisfactory EICR means the inspection has identified an issue that needs action or further investigation.
If the observation relates to a distribution board, we will explain what has been found and whether it can be repaired or whether replacement or further upgrading should be considered.
We can then quote for the work separately so you have a clear cost before deciding how to proceed.
Request a quote for your power distribution project
If your main panel is due for replacement, your distribution boards are full or you need more electrical capacity, we can start with a survey and load assessment.
Planning a main panel replacement or supply upgrade? Get in touch or call the team on 01732 758 985.
We carry out commercial power distribution work across Kent, East Sussex, Surrey and the wider South East.