P.Eng.-led industrial power planning

Know your electrical capacity before you expand.

Adding a production line, major process equipment or a building expansion? ETEM Engineering assesses how the proposed loads affect your transformers, switchboards, MCCs, panels, feeders and main service—before equipment is ordered and construction begins.

Request a Capacity Review See How It Works
  • Ontario P.Eng. oversight
  • Manufacturing and industrial facilities
  • Documented engineering outputs
ϟ ELAS
ENGINEERING REVIEW
Sample Manufacturing ExpansionExisting + proposed electrical loads
600 V · 3-phase
Connected1,842 kVA
Demand1,276 kVA
Study statusReview
The decision before the investment

Can the existing electrical system support the project?

A transformer nameplate or main-breaker rating cannot answer that question by itself. The proposed loads must be placed into the actual distribution hierarchy and traced through the equipment that will carry them.

New production capacity

Evaluate a production line, process skid, conveyor system, refrigeration package or other major equipment before procurement.

Large motors and drives

Understand how motors, VFDs, compressors, chillers and coordinated mechanical loads affect upstream equipment and operating demand.

Facility expansion

Model the effect of an addition, electrification project or phased expansion without assuming a full service upgrade is automatically required.

Capacity concerns

Investigate recurring trips, heavily loaded equipment, undocumented additions or conflicting information in legacy drawings and schedules.

Distribution upgrades

Identify whether the limiting point is the service, transformer, switchboard, MCC, panelboard or a specific feeder.

Capital planning

Turn an equipment list and existing drawings into a documented engineering basis for budgeting, utility discussions and detailed design.

01 · Build the electrical model

Start with the system you actually have.

We organize the existing and proposed loads by electrical ownership—not as one undifferentiated total. That makes it possible to see where each new load lands and which upstream assets are affected.

  • Connected, demand and sizing load kept distinct
  • Existing and proposed loads clearly identified
  • Loads assigned to the actual panel, MCC or switchboard
  • Assumptions and missing information made visible for review
Master Load StudySample data
02 · Trace the impact upstream

See how one equipment decision affects the entire distribution path.

A load connected at an MCC or panel can affect its feeder, upstream transformer, main switchboard and service. The model preserves that hierarchy so the assessment can identify the actual bottleneck rather than treating every project as a service-upgrade problem.

  • Distribution hierarchy and load roll-up
  • Panelboard, switchboard and MCC capacity screening
  • Transformer loading and proposed sizing basis
  • Direct connection between equipment and the upstream system
Distribution TopologyUpstream roll-up
03 · Assess the limiting equipment

Verify more than the main service.

The service may have room while a local transformer, MCC, panel or feeder does not. Conversely, local distribution upgrades may avoid a more expensive service change. We compare the proposed loading with the applicable equipment and distribution constraints.

  • Transformer demand, loading and sizing review
  • Main, bus and feeder capacity assessment
  • Conductor ampacity and voltage-drop screening where applicable
  • Motor and power-factor implications identified for project planning
Transformer & Distribution ReviewRepresentative result
Suggested transformer
750 kVA
Estimated project loading
Demand basis
536 kVA
Planning reserve
Available
Primary system
600 V
Status
Engineer review
SwitchboardCapacity to be confirmed
Feeder screeningAmpacity + voltage drop
Power factorCorrection opportunity identified
The answer may be smaller—or more focused—than expected

A capacity study does not begin with “buy a larger service.”

It begins with the existing conditions and proposed operating scenario. The result is a practical decision path for the next stage of the project.

Existing system is adequateProceed using the documented loading assumptions and identified operating conditions.
Local upgrade onlyUpgrade a feeder, transformer, MCC, panelboard or switchboard section without changing the service.
Transformer upgradeIncrease transformation capacity while coordinating secondary distribution and physical constraints.
Service upgradeAdvance utility coordination and detailed service design when the upstream supply is the limiting point.
Operating strategy mattersSequencing, interlocking or non-coincident operation may influence the most practical solution.
Further study requiredDefine separate short-circuit, coordination, arc-flash, harmonic or utility work where the project requires it.
04 · Document the decision

Turn an equipment list into an upgrade plan.

ETEM uses its in-house Electrical Load Analysis Suite (ELAS) to organize the engineering model, trace assumptions and produce reviewable schedules. ELAS supports the process; the deliverable remains a project-specific engineering assessment led by ETEM Engineering.

  • Existing and proposed load schedules
  • Distribution topology and upstream/downstream trace
  • Transformer and equipment-capacity summaries
  • Engineering PDF and Excel outputs for review and next steps
Engineering DeliverablesPDF + Excel
Capacity Summary
Distribution Topology
Equipment Schedule
What helps us start

Send what you have. We will identify what is missing.

A perfect record set is not required for an initial discussion. The following information helps establish the study scope and level of field verification required.

  • Existing single-line diagram and electrical drawings
  • Proposed equipment list and electrical data
  • Transformer, switchboard, MCC and panel nameplate information
  • Recent utility demand or interval data, if available
  • Proposed equipment locations and connection points
  • Expansion schedule, shutdown constraints and future allowances

Planning a new production line or major equipment installation?

Before equipment is ordered, let ETEM Engineering assess the existing electrical system, model the proposed loads and identify where upgrades may actually be required.

Request an Electrical Capacity Review
Frequently asked questions

Industrial capacity study FAQ

When should a factory complete an electrical capacity study?

Ideally before major equipment is ordered or construction commitments are made. Common triggers include a new production line, large motors or compressors, refrigeration or HVAC expansion, building additions, electrification projects and recurring capacity concerns.

Does a capacity study always lead to an electrical service upgrade?

No. The existing service may be adequate, or the constraint may be limited to a transformer, switchboard, MCC, panel or feeder. The purpose of the study is to identify the actual limiting point and avoid unnecessary upgrades.

Can ETEM review a 600 V industrial distribution system?

Yes. ETEM can assess common Ontario industrial distribution arrangements, including facilities with 600 V service and downstream utilization voltages. The study basis, available records and required field verification are established for each project.

What information is needed to begin?

Useful starting information includes the existing single-line diagram, electrical drawings, equipment and motor data, transformer and switchboard nameplates, recent utility demand information and the proposed equipment list. Missing information can be identified during the initial review.

Are short-circuit, coordination, arc-flash and harmonic studies included?

Not automatically. A capacity assessment can identify where those studies may be required, but they are separate scopes unless specifically included in the proposal.

Can the assessment support budgeting and utility discussions?

Yes. The capacity model and recommended next steps can provide an engineering basis for early budgeting, equipment planning and utility coordination. Detailed design and applications can follow under a separately defined scope.

Scope note: Final requirements depend on site conditions, available records, applicable codes, utility requirements, equipment ratings and the agreed engineering scope. Capacity assessment does not replace project-specific detailed design or separately required power-system studies.